Phnom Pehn, Cambodia’s capital city, is a hustling and bustling mini-metropolis located at the intersection of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers. The city was founded in the late 14th century, and during the 15th century, the Khmer Empire relocated their capital there, leaving their elaborate temple complex at Siem Reap. Like many of the other Asian cities I have visited, Phnom Pehn has an intriguing mixture of old and new. Seven-hundred-year-old pagados sit in the middle of a busy street full of modern restaurants and shops. Monks casually stroll along, while motorbikes and tuk tuks zip around them, coming close but never colliding. It’s an organized chaos, and it seems to work (Well, kind of. More than 5 people a day die from motor vehicle accidents in Cambodia). Phnom Penh’s main highlights can all be seen in one long day, but give yourself at least two or three days for exploration. Continue reading to learn more about the city’s main attractions.

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