Explore the colonial charms of Phnom Penh
Welcome to the Paris of the East: your Phnom Penh tour will reveal the layers of history that make this city such an utterly fascinating and captivating destination. Once considered to be the most beautiful of all Indochina’s French-built towns, Cambodia’s capital was almost destroyed by Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge, but today is a bustling, exotic metropolis. It is exciting to explore, with its vibrant street life and full palette of local colour.
Your Phnom Penh tour takes in the melting pot of cultures that created the city, from its wide Parisian boulevards to the golden spires of the Royal Palace. There are Khmer temples, bustling streets full of modern life, tuk tuks and plenty of motorbikes along the way.
We can help tailor your trip to Phnom Penh to take in the sights of this intoxicating city that interest you, whether these be the Royal Palace with its famous Silver Pagoda, the National Museum’s ancient Khmer artefacts, or Street 178, dotted with chic art galleries and silk shops. The Russian Market is justifiably popular for souvenir shopping as is the Art Deco New Market, with its colourful food stalls and jewellery shops.
If you want to learn about Cambodia’s modern history visit the Tuol Sleng Museum or Choeung Ek camp outside the city, both now memorials to the victims of Pol Pot’s regime. Our local guides can give you greater insight into the savage and dark days of Brother Number One.
At dusk you should join the locals for their evening stroll on the banks of the Mekong and simply soak up the atmosphere as children play, couples walking arm-in-arm and street hawkers sell snacks. Another day in Phnom Penh closes but there’s still time to head to one of the city’s rooftop bars for a cocktail and to watch the sun slip slowly below the horizon.