Phnom Penh

Immerse yourself in beautifully manicured gardens, delightful royal abodes, and the serene calm of this classic Khmer palace. The throne, used for coronation and important ceremonies, sits in a finely decorated room. At its side stands a small delightful ornate maisonette offered by Napoleon III to King Norodom. Walk across to the Silver Pagoda and observe the golden Buddha, encrusted with 9,584 diamonds, the largest one weighing 25 carats. Please remember to dress a bit formally when visiting the Silver Pagoda—wear long trousers or a long skirt.

Wat Phnom is said to be the first pagoda in town, dating back to 1373. It is located on a small hill and locals come here to pray for good luck. When visiting Wat Phnom, be aware that due to the site’s popularity, there will be a number of beggars, street urchins and other vendors trying to gain your attention. Some may try to sell birds in cages and you pay to set the bird free as locals claim the birds are trained to return to their cage afterwards.

This field reminds its visitors of a time of brutal executions and torture. More than 17,000 people were killed here during the Khmer Rouge regime, and today, there are mass graves and a memorial stupa (a Buddhist reliquary) with thousands of human bones. An audio tour tells the heart-braking history.

This red-stoned traditional royal Khmer building from the 1920s offers a glimpse of the Khmer Empire’s rich heritage. With artefacts dating back to pre-Angkorian times, the museum’s pieces are some of the only remaining historical items that survived the Khmer Rouge.

A former school known as S-21, this building became the hub of the Khmer Rouge’s interrogation and torture of more than 17,000 ‘enemies’ of the state. School rooms were turned into cells and today victims’ portraits align the corridors of this daunting building. This is an emotional visit, a place to pay respect to the victims of Cambodia’s tragedy.

This is the biggest zoo in Cambodia, and here you can see many different animals from the local fauna. The Wildlife Rescue Center saves animals that have been trapped or injured, to set them free again after rehabilitation. If you book a tour, you will get the chance to see the staff's heroic work and to meet some of the animals.

For all the Yogis and Yoginis out there, this is a must-visit. At this beautiful and calm studio, you can attend different kinds of yoga classes or maybe one of their workshops. You can either pre-book a class or go to one of the drop-in classes.