Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. Besides the nation’s economic, industrial, and cultural center, Phnom Penh is noted for its historical architecture and attractions. The oldest structure, Wat Phnom, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum are some major sites of the city. During your visit to Phnom Penh, you would realize that every corner of the city is where the history comes alive.

As you’ve finished with the cultural explorations, you can mix the trips with the city’s culinary experiences. What kind of dishes should you try? Here are several recommendations of fun things to do in Phnom Penh, including what local food you have to taste, along with other destinations to visit throughout the city:

The first thing to do as you set your foot in Phnom Penh is the tour around the city. Including journeys to the Royal Palace, SIlver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, you would gain insights not only on the city’s stunning architectural masterpiece, but also the dark chapter of the Cambodian history.

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is the memorial site of the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime. The museum’s collections and exhibitions preserve a tragic period in history with the aim to encourage the visitors to be messengers of peace.

The National Museum of Cambodia is the country’s largest museum of cultural history and a leading historical and archaeological museum. Various Khmer art, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects are displayed in the museum. It promotes awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of Cambodia’s culture and heritage.

Another well-known site in Phnom Penh is the Silver Pagoda. Also known as ‘The Temple of the Emerald-Crystal Buddha’, it houses lots of national treasures, such as golds and jeweled Buddha statues. Silver Pagoda is one of the notable Buddhist Temples in Phnom Penh, whose grounds are often used for various national and royal ceremonies.

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings serving as the official royal residence of the King of Cambodia. The palace’s visual splendor involving Thai architectural styles enhance its exotic and mystical atmosphere. It also makes the building more visually compelling and culturally rich.

If you’re interested in enjoying Phnom Penh from the city’s most famous waterway, the Mekong River, look no further than the Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise Tour. Sail into the serenity on a Phnom Penh evening cruise and savor a gourmet buffet, unlimited drinks, and live music to keep the party going.

Want to have an outdoor adventure while maintaining a healthy lifestyle at once? The Mekong Island Cycling Tour from Phnom Penh can be the perfect answer. You would go cycling to Mekong’s Silk Island, explore the quiet back roads, orchards, market gardens, and farmlands as you pass the local villages, and discover the life of the Cambodian countryside. Don’t leave without savoring the local Khmer food and fresh fruits!

Located in the Silver Pagoda complex, Ramayana is a spectacular mural representing the classic Indian epic of Ramayana (known as the Reamker in Cambodia). It’s created around 1900, showing vivid images of the Battle of Lanka. Remember to take photos of this beautiful mural, then post it on your social media to let your followers wonder where you got the picture from!

The main attraction in the Royal Palace of Cambodia is the Throne Hall. inspired by the Bayon at Angkor, it’s inaugurated in 1919 by King Sisowath. The hall is used for coronations and ceremonies. However, many of the items once displayed here were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.

Wat Phnom is the most iconic site in Phnom Penh. This Buddhist temple is a pagoda symbolizing the name of the city and a part of the Khmer national identity. The interior has a central altar complex with a large bronze seated Buddha surrounded by other statues, flowers, candles, and items of devotion and worship.

The next cultural stop is Wat Ounalom. Near the Royal Palace, it’s the most important temple in Cambodia and the center of the country’s Buddhism. There are various spots to explore within the temple, such as the statue of Huot Tat and the reassembled Buddha of Burmese. You can also have good views of the Mekong River from the 3^rd floor of the building.

Your trips to Phnom Penh aren't complete yet without trying on some Khmer food. Street food can be found everywhere in the city; with cheap prices and various menus, you can order any kind of drinks, snacks, or meals you fancy. Khmer ice coffee, sugarcane juice, sticky rice, and fish amok are several choices definitely worth trying.

This is exactly where shop addicts should stop by in Phnom Penh. Russian Market on Street 163, Central Market on Street 128, and the Phnom Penh Night Market on the riverfront are some shopping centers where you can find numerous souvenirs, antiques, and fresh food. Be sure to haggle as you shop around the city’s markets to get the best deal of your purchase.

Taking your kids with you during trips in Phnom Penh? Visit Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center for immersive animal tours. With over 1200 animals, like elephants, tigers, bears, gibbons, crocodiles, and leopards, some tour types give you access to some private areas, like tiger dens, baby animals, and elephant enclosures for hand feeding. You would also get the rescue stories of the animals and knowledge on their conservation.

Just north of the capital of Phnom Penh, Koh Dach offers travelers getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle. Named after its traditional silk-weaving communities, silk-related activities are the most favorable thing to do in this island. You can learn how to make silk or shop in the weaving stores. In the evening, some riverside restaurants and cafes would welcome you with local meals, soft drinks, and cold beers.

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