According to a recent report about the lives of garment workers in Phnom Penh, this is the romantic place near Phnom Penh for young Khmer couples to go dating. Koki Beach is a sandy spot on the Mekong where the brave go swimming, but most just hang out and enjoy the rural ambiance of the place. Shaded picnic piers can be rented by the hour and there are plenty of vendors and small restaurants selling tasty Khmer snacks such as grilled chicken and fresh coconuts. Buses for Koki depart regularly from the Central Market.
Contact Information: National Road Nr 1, 15 kilometres east of Phnom Penh, Kien Svay, Cambodia +855 23 21 6666
About four hours drive, Sihanoukville is a long day trip from Phnom Penh, so plan to stay the night if you want a relaxing day at the beach. The city of Sihanoukville is not attractive as it was built in a hurry around the construction of Cambodia's only deepwater port in the 1950's and 1960's. The city's beaches, however, are some of the best in the country with their white coral sand and clear water. Development is limited, but the beaches are busy with locals on weekends and holidays.
The Royal Palace commands a fine location overlooking the river at the heart of Phnom Penh. Though most of the buildings of the palace are in fact 20th century constructions, the designs are inspired by traditional Khmer religious and monumental architecture. Important buildings in the palace compound include the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda, though, at present the public may only visit the Silver Pagoda and surrounding grounds. Personal greetings to the King can be posted in a special letterbox on Street 240 on the south side of the palace.
The evening stroll along the Tonle Sap riverfront is an institution among Phnom Penhois, particularly in the hot season when the cool evening breeze blows in over the water from the east. Sisowath Quay, which was "beautified" in 1997 with funds from the Asian Development Bank, is a bustling promenade and home to many international style bars and restaurants, many of them set in restored colonial villas dating back to the 19th century. The riverfront is also a focus for the city's major festivals such as Khmer New Year in April and the Tonle Sap River in November.
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Despite its reputation as a 'rough' city, Phnom Penh is easy to get around and is a great introduction to Cambodia. For Western visitors, even those who have visited other Asian cities, Phnom Penh can be a bit of a shock. It can be very hot and its infrastructure is lacking. But things are changing. Development is on the rise and infrastructure is improving rapidly. Beautiful wide boulevards, fine colonial architecture and a park-like riverfront with cafés and restaurants make Phnom Penh a worthwhile destination.
Sisowath Quay is a boulevard that runs along the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap. It is home to cafés and shops and the better class of bar, and is popular with tourists and ex-pat Westerners. The Royal Palace and its two magnificent pagodas in the Palace Grounds are worth seeing.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was a school converted into Cambodia's most important prison in 1975. The museum is easily accessible and a must-see for everyone interested in Cambodia's recent past.
