Vibrant, bustling Phnom Penh is the heartbeat of Cambodia. This sprawling capital, spread out beside the banks of both the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers, is a city of wide central boulevards and skinny back alleys, where modern and old collide.
The Royal Palace complex is the city's must-do, but for anyone interested in exploring Cambodia's 20th-century history, Phnom Penh is also a vital stop, for it is home to two of the country's most sobering sites.
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Museum (the prison of S-21) both provide an insight into the reign of terror this nation suffered under Khmer Rouge rule. Travelers heading out to Cambodia's premier attraction of Angkor Wat also benefit hugely from a stop in the capital, as the wonderful National Museum of Angkor is here.
