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Cambodia is a country most popular for Angkor Wat, but it has a very recent dark history that emerged out of the capital, Phnom Penh. Rising from their struggle, the Cambodian people are slowly rebuilding their country and welcoming tourism.

While I explored the city of Phnom Penh, I found the people to be very friendly and the majority of the population is young. The average age is only 24 years old. This means that a good percentage can speak English, and they are intrigued by new ideas and technology. The younger generation is also exploring their own culture which was in danger of being lost due to the genocide.

To me, Phnom Penh was a mixture of old Chiang Mai and Vientiane due to its French occupancy. Many things are written in French, Khmer, and English. US dollars are widely accepted and preferred. The city is ex-pat friendly, and I think in a few years it will be a popular destination.

These are my top picks of things to do in Phnom Penh city.

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1. National Museum of Cambodia

The National Museum is full of ancient Cambodian art. These include sculptures, textiles, pottery, jewelry, and architecture. There are even some pieces from Angkor Wat. Admission is $10 and there is an optional $5 audio guide.

To be honest, most of the art looks very similar to Thailand. I spent about one hour walking around the museum. The outside garden and architecture were the more interesting to me.

2. Watch the Earth and Sky Dance Show

The Cambodian dance show came highly recommended on TripAdvisor and is heavily advertised throughout the city. So, I decided to check it out. The show starts at 7 pm daily inside the National Museum. Tickets range from $15 – $25. It is about one hour long and is organized by the Cambodian Living Arts Experience.

This organization also provides storytelling and dance workshops for those that want a unique cultural experience.

The dancers tell the story of ancient Cambodia with mystical creatures and celestial beings. The villagers experience drought, romance, and joy. There are eight dances throughout the show that beautifully tell the story. The performers are all students from the neighboring Royal University of Fine Arts.

I definitely recommend seeing the show if you’re in the city!

3. Visiting The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace was built in the late 1860s and is the current official home of the royal family. It is surrounded by giant yellow walls and is the most popular attraction in the city. Since it is still used as a residence, only the Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda are open to visitors.

Dress appropriately when visiting by covering your shoulders and knees. The palace is open from 8 am – 10:30 am and again from 2 pm – 5 pm. Admission is $10 and includes a guide.

During my visit, the palace was closed because it was a holiday, so I never made it inside.

4. Viewing the Monuments and Temples

One of the best things to do in Phnom Penh city is to simply walk around. There are a number of green spaces and parks that you can enjoy. They are home to special monuments including the Independence Monument, the Cambodian and Vietnam Friendship Memorial as well as the statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk. In the morning you will see many locals and ex-pats exercising in the parks. After mid-morning, the parks are deserted because of the heat.

Popular temples include:

• Botumvatey Pagoda
• Ounnalom Pagoda
• Wat Phnom

5. Enjoying the Riverfront

The riverfront is a very lively area of the city. It is where the Ton Le Sap and Mekong Rivers meet, making the location a prime destination for boats and trade. Many popular restaurants in Phnom Penh have taken up space in the old colonial buildings. There is also a well-organized bike and walking path along the river.

At night, it is popular to take a sunset cruise on a wooden boat with cocktails and a seafood buffet.

6. Learn about S-21 and The Killing Fields

Toul Sleng (more widely known as S-21) is located inside the city and is one of the top things to do in Phnom Penh city. It was part of a secret network of prisons that was used by the Khmer Rouge Regime. It is formerly a high school. At this particular location between 12,000 – 20,000 people were imprisoned. There are only 12 known survivors.

Admission is $8 with the audio guide, which I recommend getting as there is hardly any literature displayed to explain what happened inside.

The Killing Fields are located outside the city in the countryside. It is a very grim place, but important to see and understand. There are mass graves where thousands of people are buried by the Khmer Rouge Regime. As you walk around the site you can see the remains of old clothing and pieces of pots and plates still sticking out of the ground.

Admission is $6 with the audio.

Check out my full guide to S-21 and The Killing Fields here.