A Brief History
Phnom Penh was first made capital of Cambodia in 1431 by King Pohneayat after the abandonment of Angkor, and the fall of the Khymer empire. Located at the convergence of four rivers, and as a natural meeting point for traders, it is not hard to see why the location was chosen for the capital. Known locally as “ Krong Chatomuk”, or four faces, the waters of the Upper and Lower Mekong, the Tonle Sap, and Bassac combine to create a spectacular body of water.
Phnom Penh literally translates as Hill of lady Penh, who legend has it, founded the original city in 1372 after finding a washed up tree trunk containing four statues of Buddha and one of Vishnu.
The original establishment of the capital didn’t last long and the Cambodian capital was frequently changed throughout the years. It wasn’t until 1865 when the French colonists reinstated Phnom Penh as the country’s capital, and so it remains to this day. The city still retains some of its colonial buildings, and grand tree lined boulevards from the 1920’s, however, the city is fast making way for large scale development. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are the major political, economic, cultural, and tourism centers within the country.
Modern Day Phnom Penh
Prior to the Khmer Rouge Phnom Penh was known as the “Pearl of Asia”, due to the combination of the city’s beautiful French colonial architecture and fast growing economy. After gaining independence from France in 1953, the city entered a new era of development with train lines, tree lined avenues, and several monuments commemorating Cambodia’s new found freedom.
Today Phnom Penh is a rapidly modernising, and growing city and one can see tall buildings rising all over the city as demand for new housing and office space keeps growing. Unfortunately, many of the colonial buildings and tree lined avenues have been lost to this development, however, Phnom Penh still has plenty to offer visitors and still retains a certain je ne sais quoi.
Phnom Penh For Kids
Urban Space Playground & Cafe
Urban Space Playground and Café in the Toul Kork area of Phnom Penh is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon with the kids. The cafe has a playground, pool and an indoor play…
La Plantation Urban Resort and Spa
La Plantation is a lush oasis situated in the heart of Phnom Penh, and the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city for holidaymakers and expats alike. Entering from st. 184, visitors…
Nearby Attractions
Silk Island (Koh Dach)
Silk Island gets its name from its numerous silk weaving communities that inhabit the island, a craft dating back as far as the pre-Angkorian era in Cambodia. The island of Koh Dach, known locally as…
Urban Space Playground & Cafe
Urban Space Playground and Café in the Toul Kork area of Phnom Penh is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon with the kids. The cafe has a playground, pool and an indoor play…
Tuol Sleng Museum & Killing Fields
If you’re visiting Phnom Penh, Cambodia, you have to visit the Tuol Sleng museum, also known as S21 and the killing fields. Not because it’s a nice or fun experience, but because it is a…
Phnom Chisor Mountain Temple
Phnom Chisor is the ruins of an 11th century Angkor Era Temple at the top of Chisor Mountain (sometimes spelled Chiso). Situated in Takeo province about 40km south of the capital Phnom Penh, the mountain is easily reached via the Number 2 highway.