Phnom Penh

INTRO
Spread out on the banks of two rivers, the capital of Cambodia is a great city to visit - there is an huge variety of things to do and see while in Phnom Penh. The city took its name from the Wat Phnom Daun Penh - a hill temple built in 1373. Its purpose was to house the five statues of Buddha, and it lies on a 27-meter-high man made hill. The temple was named after the wealthy widow Daun Penh (Grandma Penh). Phnom Penh is undeniably charming, with its colonial architecture, bustling street cafes and full-of-life waterfront promenade.The spectacular splendour and harmony of the city come along with the terrifying Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - a dreadful reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge.

City Profile
City: Phnom Penh
Country: Cambodia
Area: 376 km2
Population: 2,009,264
Districts: 7
Governor: mayor - Kep Chuktema
Language: Khmer language
Rating:

LOCATION
Phnom Penh is situated in the central parts of Cambodia, at the confluence of Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. The topography of Phnom Penh city and the province of the same name is a mixture of lowlands and flood plain surrounding the rivers that meet in the city.

TIME TO VISIT
One of the city's major events is Chinese New Year. If you want your trip to coincide with it, and to enjoy the festival and the dragon dances in the streets, you need to plan it for late January or early February.
In December and January the cooling breeze whips Phnom Penh, humidity is relatively low, and rainfall is unsubstantial. Temperatures start rising from February, and they reach their peak in April - often exceeding 40ºC. Rain and humidity come with the monsoon in May or June. The wet season lasts until October, however it is rarely an obstacle for hanging out in the city - rain is not constant and oppressive.

POPULATION
Phnom Penh is mostly inhabited by Cambodians (or Khmers) - they represent 90% of the population of the city. There are large minorities of Vietnamese and Chinese, other ethnic groups are Budong, Mnong Preh, Kuy, Chong, Chams.
The state religion is Theravada Buddhism, hence more than 90% of the people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. English and French are widely used in the city, but the official language is Khmer.

CITY AREAS/DISTRICTS
The city of Phnom Penh is divided into 7 districts. Administratively, the city is a municipality, although it is equal to a province.

Russey Keo - the second largest district of Phnom Penh. Located in the north-eastern side of the city, it encompasses an area of 105,56 km2.
Meanchey is a district in the south-eastern part of Phnom Penh municipality, with area of 43,79 km2.
Dangkor District is Phnom Penh's largest district. It spreads in the western parts of the city, encompassing 197,89 km2.
Chamkarmon District is where most immigrants live. It is the southernmost district of Phnom Penh, and although being a quiet area, it is close to a lot of major businesses.
Daun Penh District is the commercial hub of Phnom Penh, where a lot of businesses, such as Sorya Shopping Center, Mokod Pich Jewelry and Pshan Thom Thmei, are located. Despite its small area - only 7,44 km2, the district is famous for its unique art-deco architecture.
Pramir Makara is the smallest district of Phnom Penh - only 2,21 km2, but some famous landmarks and major businesses are within its borders.
Toul Kork District is settled mostly by rich Cambodians. It contains a mixture of commercial warehouses, NGO offices, villas and glittery mansions. The University of Phnom Penh campus is located there, and so are the ministries of Defence, Rural Development and Women's affairs.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS

Wat Phnom - A temple which is located on the only hill in the city. Legend says that the first pagoda was erected in 1373 in order to house the 4 statues of Buddha which were brought by the waters of the Mekong River.
Wat Phnom main entrance is guarded by balustrades of mythical beasts and lions. Beggars, women selling drinks and children selling birds in cages could be expected there.
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - a peaceful, calm place to visit, despite the horrors it witnessed in the past. Between 1975 and 1978 over 17, 000 people - men, women, children and infants, were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek, after they had been detained and tortured. There are more than 8000 skulls at the Memorial Stupa. The place has been immortalised by a film of the same name.
Silver Pagoda - constructed of wood in 1892, it was rebuilt in 1962. More than 60% of the contents were destroyed under Pol Pot, but what remains is still extraordinary - such as the floor, covered with mote than 5000 silver tiles with weight of 1 kg each. Inside the Silver Pagoda sits the Emerald Buddha - on a gilt pedestal, on top of the dais. In front of the dais is a life-sized Buddha, decorated with 9584 diamonds.
Wat Ounalom - the headquarters of the Buddhist Patriarchate of Cambodia. It comprises of 44 structures. Here lives the head of the Buddhist brotherhood.
National Museum of Cambodia - home of the world's most beautiful collection of Khmer sculpture. It is located next to the Royal Palace, in a terracotta building of traditional design, built in 1920. Some of the highlights of the museum are the statue of Shiva (c.866-877), the eight-armed statue of god Vishnu from the 6th century AD, and also pottery and bronzes dating from different periods of Cambodia's history.

AIRPORT
The city of Phnom Penh is served by one major airport.
Phnom Penh International Airport is the largest and busiest in Cambodia. Its former name is Pochentong International Airport. That is the major international and domestic hub of the air transport in Phnom Penh. It withstands 7 km west from the central part of the city, and is easily reachable by taxis and minibuses. http://www.cambodia-airports.com/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
There are several ways to get around in Bandar Seri Begawan:

Buses - there is no organised in-city bus system. The company Phnom Penh Public Transport Co. has bus services to several destinations in Cambodia, as well as to Bangkok and Ho Chi Min.
Motorcycle rental - Motorcycles (100cc - 650cc) can be rented at affordable price - 5 - 9 USD per day. The chaotic traffic in Phnom Penh makes cycling quite challenging, and even a bit risky. 100cc motorcycles are recommended for in-city traffic, 250cc is better for the poor roads outside the city.
Cyclos - they don't have the safety of a car and the speed of a motorcycle, although at some point they could be considered practical and romantic means of transportation, and offer a drier ride during a rain. Cycle rikshaws are notorious for overcharging tourists - often charge twice as much as a moto.
Taxis - all of them are metered, but very often ride is subject to bargain. Most of the cabs are not air-conditioned and quite uncomfortable. In heavy traffic you could be amazed how long a short distance ride could be.

HISTORY
Phnom Penh first became capital of Cambodia in the 15th century under the reign of Ponheya Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved that capital from Angkor Thom, as it was captured by Siam.
In 1863 the French established a protectorate over Cambodia that soon became a part of the Union of Indochina. The city became permanent seat of the state government in 1866. Then began the transformation of what initially was a village into a large city. The French Colonialists expanded the canal system, constructed modern roads and built a port. By the beginning of the 20th century Phnom Penh was known as the "pearl of Asia".
During the Vietnam War the area of Cambodia was a base of the North Vietnamese Army, thus forcing thousands of refugees from across the country to flood the city in order to escape the fights between the government troops, the South Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouge. On the 17th of April 1975 the city fell to the Khmer Rouge. Many of the city residents were forced to do labour on rural farms. Pol Pot's troops detained and tortured thousands of Cambodians - as the governor desired return to rural economy, all that were considered to have the taint of westernization were killed.
In 1979 the Khmer Rouge were expelled from Phnom Penh by the Viatnamese.

CITY LINKS

Phnom Penh Government Web Site - in English - http://www.phnompenh.gov.kh/english/introduction.html
Cambodia Travel and Leisure Guide - http://www.elephantguide.com/
Official Web Site of the Phnom Penh Post - http://www.phnompenhpost.com/
Phnom Penh Travel Guide - http://wikitravel.org/en/Phnom_Penh
City Map - http://www.openstreetmap.org/index.html?lat=11.55&lon=104.9167&zoom=11

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Royal University of Phnom Penh - http://rupp.edu.kh/rupp_wsite/
Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh - http://www.yellowpages-cambodia.com/education/schools-and-educational-private/asia-euro-university-iii-18406.html
Pannasastra University - http://www.puc.edu.kh/