Royal Palace & City
Palace, pagoda and riverside.
CambodiaIShowSpeed streamed here
Phnom Penh
The riverside capital of golden spires and heavy history — royal palaces, Khmer Rouge memorials, and the gateway to Angkor.
- Metro population
- 2,300,000
- Country
- Cambodia
- Region
- Asia
Overview
Why visit Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh sits where the Mekong, Bassac and Tonlé Sap rivers meet — the 'four faces' the city is named for. The Royal Palace's golden spires and the Silver Pagoda rise over a riverside promenade that fills with dancers at sunset.
The city asks visitors to remember: the Tuol Sleng museum (a school turned Khmer Rouge prison) and the Choeung Ek killing fields confront the 1975–79 genocide that emptied the city. It's sobering, essential context — and it makes the country's warmth hit harder.
Speed's 2024 tour streamed from Phnom Penh. The city is also the practical gateway — most travellers continue to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat's temple mountains.
Things to do
Top things to book in Phnom Penh
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Tuol Sleng & Choeung Ek
The memorials with a guide.
Mekong Sunset Cruise
The river junction at golden hour.
Angkor Extension
Fly or ride to Angkor Wat.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Phnom Penh
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Side by side in Phnom Penh
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Phnom Penh
- 01
Four Faces
The city sits at the chaktomuk — the 'four faces' junction of three rivers.
- 02
Silver Pagoda
The palace temple's floor is laid with over 5,000 silver tiles.
- 03
The Killing Fields
Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng memorialise the Khmer Rouge genocide.
- 04
A City Emptied
The Khmer Rouge evacuated all of Phnom Penh in 1975 — it was a ghost town for years.
- 05
Reversed River
The Tonlé Sap river reverses direction each monsoon — a unique hydrology.
- 06
Wat Phnom
The hilltop temple named for founding grandmother Penh is the city's origin legend.
- 07
French Colonial
Art Deco Central Market's yellow dome dates to 1937.
- 08
The Angkor Gateway
Siem Reap and Angkor Wat are a short flight or bus away.
- 09
Tuk-Tuk Capital
Remork tuk-tuks are the transport of choice — cheap and everywhere.
- 10
Riverside Nights
The Sisowath Quay promenade fills with families and street food at dusk.
Random Phnom Penh fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Phnom Penh.
FAQ
Quick answers about Phnom Penh
Where is Phnom Penh located?
Phnom Penh is in Cambodia, in Asia.
What is the population of Phnom Penh?
The greater Phnom Penh area is home to about 2,300,000 people.
What is Phnom Penh famous for?
Phnom Penh is famous for the Royal Palace and riverside, the sobering Khmer Rouge memorials, and the gateway to Angkor Wat.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Phnom Penh?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Phnom Penh on his 2024–25 Asia tour. See his full world tour map.
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