Phnom Penh: a first time traveller’s honest opinion
This isn’t my usual type of article, but I believe in sharing the full scope of my travel experiences, not just the highlights. So, here’s an honest opinion of my time in Phnom Penh—both the good and the uncomfortable.
We arrived in Phnom Penh by bus from Siem Reap in the evening (by the way, the buses and roads between these cities are excellent). Our hotel was right in the heart of the city, a lively, crowded area. Since Phnom Penh was the final stop of our trip before heading home, we wanted to make the most of our limited time, so after checking in, we headed out to find a place to enjoy a drink and explore the nightlife.
However, as we walked around, one of the first things we noticed was young women—very young women—calling out to men, trying to get them to sit down at various bars. While this might not be something you’ll encounter everywhere, it seemed quite common in certain areas. Once we sat down, a pattern started to emerge: older white men, often in the company of Cambodian girls who looked underage. If not that, it was often older men sitting alone, which by itself is not a bad thing, but considering the context, it felt uncomfortable. While I’m sure some people will point out that it’s not just older white men involved, that’s what stood out to me the most.
What’s going on?
When I was planning this trip, I focused on researching activities and sightseeing, since we only had two nights in Phnom Penh. But after arriving, it didn’t take much digging to learn that Cambodia, sadly, has a reputation for sex tourism, largely due to weak law enforcement and government corruption.
This issue is one of the main reasons I felt compelled to write this article—because none of the blogs or resources I consulted before visiting Phnom Penh mentioned it. When we arrived and saw this firsthand, it cast a shadow over the rest of our stay, making it difficult to fully enjoy our time there.
Visiting Phnom Penh
While the initial experience in Phnom Penh left me feeling uneasy, there are still important and historically significant sites worth visiting. Here’s a rundown of what we managed to see:
1. The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace was constructed in 1866 during the reign of King Norodom and is the main attraction in Phnom Penh. The current king, His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, still uses the Royal Palace as his official residence, which means most of the palace remains closed to visitors.
Entry costs $10
Visiting hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
2. The Silver Pagoda
The Silver Pagoda, located within the palace grounds, is named for its floor, which is covered with more than 5,000 silver tiles. The pagoda houses a variety of national treasures, including the Emerald Buddha, made from baccarat crystal, and a life-sized golden Buddha adorned with thousands of diamonds. It’s a place of great religious and cultural importance.
The Royal Palace ticket includes the Silver Pagoda
3. Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument
This monument stands as a symbol of the complicated relationship between the two countries. While it’s not a major stop, it’s an interesting piece of history to observe as it located relatively close to the Royal Palace.
3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s a heartbreaking but necessary visit to understand Cambodia’s tragic past under the Khmer Rouge. The museum is raw and incredibly moving—a must-see for anyone wanting to grasp the country’s recent history.
3. Killing Fields
This was, in my opinion, the most important site we visited in Phnom Penh. It’s a sombre, emotional experience that left a lasting impact. If you visit Phnom Penh for any reason, this should be it. It provides crucial insight into Cambodia’s past and is deeply thought-provoking. When you book a tour make sure it also includes the Genocide Museum.
You can see the exact tour we took below. We were quite pleased with the tour guide.
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