The
Kingdom of Cambodia is a truly exotic and enigmatic country, often remembered
for the brutal Khmer Rouge in the 1970s but now one of the world's hottest
up-and-coming travel destinations. Politically stable for more than twenty
years, there is so much to do and see in the Southeastern Asian nation, from
pristine beaches and islands in the south to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap up north,
one of the Wonders of the World and the largest religious site on earth. But
still, there is no place quite like Phnom Penh, Cambodia's magnificent capital
city.
"We now have about 5 million tourists visiting Cambodia every year,"
said Kalvin Heng of the Phnom Penh Post newspaper, "And once people
experience Phnom Penh, they realize why it was called The Paris of the Far
East."
The vast majority of tourists in Phnom Penh visit the popular attractions like the Killing Fields, the Royal Palace, museums, various pagodas (called 'wats'), and the Independence Monument. But Phnom Penh also offers fun and fascinating things to do that aren't always on the typical traveler agenda.
If
you have weeks to explore, I highly recommend getting lost on purpose amid the
city's hidden treasures. But if you only have a few days to see Phnom Penh, go
visit some (or all!) of these landmarks that most tourists never get to
appreciate:
1. Rooftop bars
High
above the hot and chaotic city streets of Phnom Penh stand a great variety of
rooftop lounges, bars, and even swimming pools where you can sip a cold beer
and watch the action below. Le Moon is really nice with a great view of the
Tonle Sap River, and the Foreign Correspondent's Club (FCC) is a piece of Phnom
Penh history where foreign journalists and aid workers used to congregate
during the war. The rooftop bar above the Top Banana hostel is a fun backpacker
destination, and one can view the lights of Phnom Penh from 23 floors up at the
Eclipse Skybar in the Phnom Penh Tower.
2.
Watch a Cambodian kickboxing bout - or train, yourself
The
Cambodian fighting art is called 'Khun Khmer' and while it's not quite as
popular as Muay Thai in neighboring Thailand, the locals still love it. There
are live fights every weekend at the CTN Angkor Arena at the television
station, where every tuk-tuk driver will enthusiastically take you.
But
I encourage you to put on the gloves and train at Khun Khmer or martial arts
yourself, even if you're a total beginner. There is a narrow second-story gym
at the Selapak cultural center on 110 Street
that's fantastic (with traditional Khmer dancing on the first floor), and
Prokout near the Aeon Mall rivals any top-rate western gym.
3.
Oudong and other nearby provinces
4.
Markets and more markets
Southeast Asia is known for its fun and lively (and cheap!) markets, and Phnom Penh is no exception. Most tourists visit the little night market along the riverside or the Central Market, an easily recognizable yellow domed art deco building. But if you want a true local adventure, head into the Old Market or brave the Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung), which was given its nickname in the 1980s because so many Soviet foreigners visited. You'll find them insanely hot, crowded, and full of hidden surprises, so bring a water bottle, a lot of small Reil bills, and your intrepid spirit.
Southeast Asia is known for its fun and lively (and cheap!) markets, and Phnom Penh is no exception. Most tourists visit the little night market along the riverside or the Central Market, an easily recognizable yellow domed art deco building. But if you want a true local adventure, head into the Old Market or brave the Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung), which was given its nickname in the 1980s because so many Soviet foreigners visited. You'll find them insanely hot, crowded, and full of hidden surprises, so bring a water bottle, a lot of small Reil bills, and your intrepid spirit.
One of my favorite small shops for souvenirs is Yodi Craft on
Street 13 near the National Museum. It's run by a non-profit that gives
disabled Cambodian people a chance to earn a fair wage and improve their lives by
designing wonderful handmade crafts.
5.
Eat for a good cause
There
are so many great restaurants, bistros, eateries and cafés in Phnom Penh that
it's truly a gourmand's dream. But you can actually eat well AND make a
positive impact by visiting the establishments that give humble or
disenfranchised local people a chance to work instead of just accepting
donations or begging.
Dine
in the Dark offers probably the most unique culinary experience you'll ever
have and employs sightless Cambodians. The
Connecting Hands Café on street 178, only a couple blocks
behind the Royal Palace complex, draws rave reviews for employing and
empowering women who are rescued from trafficking or domestic violence. (Try
the fruit smoothies, and the chicken pineapple burger is delish!)
6. Enjoy
the community at sundown
In
the late afternoon when it starts to cool off, nearly everyone in Phnom Penh -
locals, expats and tourists alike - come out to play and hang out in Phnom
Penh's many parks or common areas. You can stroll up and down the riverside
boulevard (Sisowath Quay), taking in the French colonial architecture, meander
through the city's parks, or even have a picnic on the front lawn of the Royal
Palace amid thousands of smiling and friendly Khmer people. Feel free to join
them kicking a soccer ball, playing footbag, badminton, join in an outdoor
dancing exercise class, or just relax and chat with your new friends.
7.
Ice skating in tropical Cambodia?
8.
Learn how to say "Cheers" in Khmer (Cambodian)
If
you're thirsty after all of this touring in the hot sun, cool off and loosen up
at one of the fun, funky, and always surprising watering holes in Phnom Penh.
The Chinese House on the south end of the riverside is a historical landmark
and has a stellar Sunday brunch, Hangar 44 is what every Hard Rock Cafe wants to
be when it grows up, and Plantation on 184 Street is a remarkable combination
of art gallery, traditional water garden, and bar and restaurant - all set
poolside in a boutique hotel.
La
Casita, the avant-garde tasting room of Southeast Asia's premium spirit
brand La Familia, is a where you'll sample some of
the best cocktails in the world, as well as enjoy classes, competitions, and
craft cocktail appreciate nights. (And the buzz on the Phnom Penh streets is
that they're opening a bar on 308 Street called the Elbow Room soon.)
9.
Volunteer
10.
Check out the Cambodian hip-hop scene
Hip hop in Cambodia? You got it, as many
young Cambodians (some of whom used to live in the United States since their
parents were war refugees) rap, dance, and spin a lively brand of U.S. hip-hop
mixed with traditional Khmer melodies. So if you want to get your boogy on,
check out a Clap Ya Handz event, visit the Pontoon Club on 172 Street late
night, and follow famous Danish-Khmer DJ Niko Yu as he spins at different
venues around town.
For
a unique musical experience, visit Tiny
Toones, a NGO that takes poor and at-risk kids and gets them off the
streets with hip hop and breakdancing, making sure they receive a proper
education and job skills along the way.
Source:
The Huffington Post, Article by Norm Schriever
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/norm-schriever/10-hidden-treasures-in-ph_b_9295646.html
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