Cambodia forum

Phnom Penh - 2 nights - recommendations please

smash

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 162

Hey all

Unfortunately due to a string of events, we've ended up having to really cut down our trip duration...

So have two nights in PP - arrive PM from HCMC by bus and then leave for Siem Reap in the morning (hopefully in time to see Angkor at sunset). pretty much means just have one full day in PP.

So my questions are:
1. What is the best area to stay in? We'll book accommodation before we go to save time/hassle
2. What are two MUST SEE sights that we could do in the AM and then PM on the full day we have. Would the Palace/pagoda + Tuol Sleng + killing fields be doable if we hired a tuk tuk dude for the day?

Thanks!
Ash

PS have posted something similar in vietnam section :o)

#1 Posted: 30/12/2009 - 04:47
lolozo

newbie
Posts: 3

Phnom Penh is a pretty small city, so you can easily visit the "must see" sights in a full day. In the morning, visit the Royal Palace/ Silver Pagoda. Shouldn`t take more than 2-3 hours. The national museum is worth a visit for its historical displays and it`s located close to the Royal Palace.
Late morning/ early afternoon catch a tuk tuk to Cheoung Ek killing fields. You can easily find a tuk tuk driver who`ll take you to both the killing fields and Tuol Sleng. (Or he`ll find you)
By late afternoon/ early evening, I recommend a quick stop at Wat Phnom-located on the city`s only hill. If lucky you may see Wat Phnom`s permanent resident, Sambo the elephant. Head east from there to Sisowath Quay. The riverside is beautiful in the evening. Hire a boat to take you on a cruise of the Tonle Sap river. You can catch a boat at the quayside near street 130.
And if you want to add to your collection of photos, you can have a driver take you past the Central Market, Wat Unalom and Independence Monument.
Enjoy! PP is really a fantastic place.

#2 Posted: 30/12/2009 - 21:16
nzlup

motodop
Posts: 22

We hired a tuk tuk for the day. Easy to do as Lolozo says. A guy had attached himself to us when we arrived the night before. He wanted US$20 and wasn't negotiable.

We were staying nextdoor to the Indochine Hotel so I asked their staff whether their were any good drivers around for US$11. They were really helpful, went outside and was back in 5 mins with a guywho spoke English well. We negotiated directly with the driver so no misunderstandings. Sweet

Some nice scenery around on the road to the K Fields (including the vegetable ("morning glory") fields on the left of the road out. The driver told us that they were irrigated by the city sewage & waste water which we could see.....

T Sleng can soak up some time. Lots to read. Was bloody hot in the afternoon though.

#3 Posted: 5/2/2010 - 13:06