museum
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)
A former high school turned Khmer Rouge interrogation center, now a museum documenting Cambodia's tragic genocide.
1 km · about 5 min drive
Phnom Penh, Cambodia · Asia
Phnom Penh is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Mean Chey, 1km from Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21).
Phnom Penh is a major city located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With a population of 1,573,544, it is one of the largest urban centers in Asia.
On a road trip, Phnom Penh sits in Cambodia. It's in the Asia/Phnom Penh time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Phnom Penh to your route.
Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since 1865 and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its political, economic, industrial, and cultural centre. The city's name derives from Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple, and Lady Penh, the city's founder. It sitsRead more
at the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers, and is the start of the Bassac River. It is also the seat of Cambodia's monarchy, based at the Royal Palace.
Founded in 1372, Phnom Penh succeeded Angkor Thom as the national capital in 1434 following the fall of Angkor, and remained so until 1497. It regained its capital status during the French colonial era. It underwent a period of investment and modernization during Cambodia's independence period, earning the nickname the "Pearl of Asia" for its colonial French, New Khmer and Art Deco architecture. The city's population swelled in the 1960s and 1970s as refugees fled from civil war and American bombing during the Vietnam War. Phnom Penh's entire population was forcibly evacuated in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge, and faced persecution, forced labour and genocide. Phnom Penh remained largely uninhabited during the Democratic Kampuchea era until Vietnam-backed forces took the city in 1979. The city was reconstructed and infrastructure improved in the modern era with the support of international investment and aid. By 2019, it was home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population.
The Greater Phnom Penh area includes the nearby Ta Khmau city and some districts of Kandal province. The city formerly functioned as a processing center, with textiles, pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, and rice milling. Its cultural institutions and events have made it a hub for domestic and international tourism. The city has hosted regional and international events, including the 2002, 2012, and 2022 ASEAN Summit, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Phnom Penh will be the first Cambodian city and the second city in Southeast Asia to host the Asian Youth Games in 2031.
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Phnom Penh offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Phnom Penh is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Asia. The coordinates are 11.5625 latitude, 104.9160 longitude.
Phnom Penh has a population of approximately 1,573,544 people, making it a major city in Cambodia.
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2 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
A former high school turned Khmer Rouge interrogation center, now a museum documenting Cambodia's tragic genocide.
1 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
The most well-known of the Khmer Rouge execution sites, now a memorial with a glass stupa filled with thousands of skulls.
9 km · about 15 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Phnom Penh.
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