Phnom Penh Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia, serving as the nation's political, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Positioned in the south-central part of the country, the city sits at the meeting point of the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac rivers. Surrounded entirely by Kandal province, the municipality is also the official seat of the Cambodian monarchy, located at the Royal Palace.

The city takes its name from Wat Phnom, a temple crowning a hill established by a local widow named Lady Penh. According to tradition, she discovered sacred Buddha and Vishnu figures inside a tree floating along the Tonlé Sap River in 1372. Phnom Penh first became the capital in 1434 when King Ponhea Yat moved the seat of government following the fall of Angkor Thom. After centuries of shifting royal capitals, Phnom Penh was permanently restored as the national capital in 1865. Investment during the French colonial era and independence period introduced French colonial, Art Deco, and New Khmer architectural styles, earning the city the nickname "Pearl of Asia."

During the Vietnam War, Phnom Penh's population grew substantially due to an influx of refugees escaping regional conflict. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge captured the city and forcibly evacuated its entire population to perform hard agricultural labor in the countryside. The city remained largely uninhabited until Vietnam-backed forces took control in 1979. Rebuilding efforts were subsequently supported by international aid and foreign investment, restoring utilities, roads, and public services. By 2019, the city's population reached over 2.1 million residents.

Situated on a low-lying river floodplain, Phnom Penh experiences a tropical wet and dry climate with hot temperatures year-round, generally ranging between 22 and 35 degrees Celsius. The wet season extends from May through November, brought on by southwest monsoon winds carrying moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. A drier season runs from December to April, when night temperatures can drop slightly. Monsoon weather occasionally causes the nearby rivers to rise above their banks.

Visitors to Phnom Penh encounter a mix of historical landmarks, commercial districts, and riverfront attractions. Wat Phnom remains a focal point, while Sisowath Quay offers a five-kilometer boulevard along the Tonlé Sap River lined with hotels, dining establishments, and shops. The urban skyline includes contemporary high-rises such as the Vattanac Capital Tower and Canadia Tower. Alongside industries like garment manufacturing, real estate, and trade, tourism plays a significant role in the local economy, with the city serving as a major venue for international summits and regional sporting events.