Sightseeing Nearby

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, the best known of the Killing Fields, lies a short drive south of the hotel area. Thousands of victims of the Khmer Rouge regime were executed here in the 1970s, and a memorial stupa holds their skulls. The audio guide offers moving testimonies, and visitors should behave respectfully. It is an essential, though emotionally difficult, visit for understanding Cambodia.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, known as S 21, in the city centre, was a school turned into a prison by the Khmer Rouge. Classrooms with cells, photographs of prisoners and documents explain the regime's crimes. Many visitors combine it with Choeung Ek in a single day. Allow time to reflect afterwards.

The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, about nine kilometres away, are Phnom Penh's grandest monuments, with golden roofs, ornate halls and the pagoda's silver tiled floor. Shoulders and knees must be covered. The National Museum next door holds superb Khmer sculptures from Angkor.

Central Market, a striking Art Deco building with a huge yellow dome, sells jewellery, clothes, souvenirs and food. The Russian Market, Tuol Tom Poung, is popular for handicrafts, silk and clothing at low prices. Both are lively places to experience local commerce.

Wat Phnom, the hill temple that gave the city its name, stands near the river in a small park. Sisowath Quay along the riverfront offers cafés, restaurants and sunset views where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong. Evening boat cruises leave from the quay.

Closer to the hotel, Century Plaza Market and the Steung Meanchey area offer everyday shopping and street food. These local markets show daily life far from tourist circuits. Bargaining is common.

For food, try fish amok steamed in banana leaves, beef lok lak with pepper sauce, and num banh chok, rice noodles with green curry, a typical breakfast. Kuy teav noodle soup is everywhere in the morning.