"Once the Pearl of Asia" Phnom Penh by AlbuqRay

Phnom Penh Travel Guide: 1,425 reviews and 3,746 photos

Fixer-Upper Across the Street from National Museum

Still Recovering

Phnom Penh was once considered the "Pearl of Asia," and Cambodia was one of the "rice bowls" of SE Asia. After Cambodia won independence from France in the 1950's, Phnom Penh was one of the most popular cities in Asia. It was like a miniature Paris in Indochina, with cafés, ornate lampposts lining the riverfront, and landmarks of the nation's rich history. Under the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79, over one-fourth of the Cambodian population was killed (1.7 million people). They also emptied Phnom Penh, forced most of its residents into the countryside, and turned the once-vibrant city into a ghost town. There was civil war until 1991 and some Khmer Rouge elements did not surrender until 1999. Today the city is still recovering. In Phnom Penh, one sees vestiges of the old beauty and there is much new construction. Physically, it is on its way to being a pearl again. There is one downside though, the widespread corruption. Although the average person is friendly, honest and hard working, there are too many dishonest people in positions of authority trying to make an extra dollar (literally; they prefer USD). All tourists are perceived as rich and are targets. You must watch yourself; there are many scams.

BTW, if you want first-hand, outstanding information on Phnom Penh and other parts of Cambodia, don't miss Amber Martinez's VT pages and her blog.

People Improvement Organization (PIO)

PIO K-2 School at the Entrance to the Dump

The dedicated PIO teachers and staff do an incredible job helping kids at the Phnom Penh's Stung Mean Chey municipal dump and in two slum areas get an education. The director, Phymean Noun, won a CNN Top Ten Heroes award in 2008. What is interesting though, is that most Cambodians have never heard of her! Check the travelogues and videos to see more about the organization and schools, and to see the teachers and kids doing test flights of soaring cylinders and helicopters.

Same City But Two Different Worlds

Children Feeding Pigeons by the Royal Palace

Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts. In the area around the Royal Palace and National Museum, spectacular architecture, clean parks and wide boulevards are the norm. However, just a few blocks away, there are unbelievably trashy streets jammed with traffic, and many run-down buildings in need of repair. What is ubiquitous though (besides the tuk tuk drivers) are people getting over the past and looking forward to better times. One of the videoclips is a 360 panorama taken from the same place as this picture.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly people, amazing sights and good value
Cons:Too much corruption, unadequate trash clean up, and hard to even cross the street
In a nutshell:On its way to being the Pearl of Asia again

Last visit to Phnom Penh: Mar 2009
Intro Updated Mar 26, 2012
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Reviews (26)

Outstanding Guide in Phnom Penh Favorites (3)

Actually I met Ms. Naram Kang through Ms. Nara. They are colleagues. When I returned to Cambodia in March 2010, Ms. Nara... more travel advice

Nice Atmosphere and Tasty Food Restaurants (7)

When I went back to Phnom Penh again in 2010, my guides and I met at the Khmer Surin Restaurant, mainly because Ms. Nara... more travel advice

Stone Carvers on Street 178 - Phnom Penh

Need a Large Stone Sculpture? Shopping (4)

Street 178 is known as "Art Street" for the sculpture shops and art galleries that line the street west from Sisowath... more travel advice

Wat Sarawan Things to Do (8)

Wat Sarawan is a small wat close to the National Museum. It was among the first five pagodas in Phnom Penh. It is a... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (7)

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TrendsetterME Mar 24, 2012 at 1:01 PM

Very helpful pages for Phnom Penh, also sharp and great photos, keep on postin' mate ... :)
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AngMimi Feb 8, 2012 at 7:23 AM

Thanks for the wonderful tips..
You are a great teacher :-))
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betska May 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM

Fantatsic PP pages, Ray. I had wondered about that crumbling bldg opp.the museum. I was there same time as you, shame we didn't know! Traffic in HCMC is 100 x worse than PP!!!
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starship May 10, 2009 at 12:08 PM

Anoher excellent page! Comprehensive and useful, practical information (especially the guest house & the bus to Siem Reap info). Sad but interesting history; your mission to help the children there is especially poignant!
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balhannah Apr 20, 2009 at 2:18 PM

I loved the beautiful colonial French buildings in Phnom Penh.
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jadedmuse Apr 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Great info, great "cause", and heartbreaking "view" from the school btw...God bless you Ray. What a trip, and what a reason for it.
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hunterV Apr 3, 2009 at 9:44 AM

Hi, Raymond ! Thanks for your useful tips...