Phnom Penh

Situated at the confluence of the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap rivers is Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Once considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, Phnom Penh's charm is fast succumbing to a construction boom.

The Tonlo Sap and Bassac rivers define the eastern extent of town. The centre of town is roughly the area around the Psar Thmei (Central Market).
The major thoroughfares in Phnom Penh run north-south. They are Monivong Blvd, Norodom Blvd and Samdech Sothearos Blvd. The main east-west arteries are Pochentong Blvd in the north, Preah Sihanouk Blvd, which runs past the Independence Monument, and Mao Tse Toung Blvd, in the far south of town.

Phnom Penh still retains an undeniable charm despite its tumultuous and often violent past. It has several impressive "Wats" that include: Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and Wat Lang Ka. It is also home to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, which is one of the few places in Cambodia where artefacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture can still be viewed. There are also displays of Khmer crafts in the National Museum and the Royal Palace.

You can sample vermicelli or frogs legs at any number of eateries, buy jewellery, antiques or the ubiquitous kramas (checked cotton scarves) at the Central Market, or purchase traditional works of art at the School of Fine Arts. The Central Market area, which includes Monirong Blvd, is the main centre for budget travellers; it has cheap accommodation and plenty of food stalls.

The climate of Cambodia is governed by two monsoons. The cool, dry, north-eastem monsoon, which carries little rain and occurs from around November to April. From May to October, the south-western monsoon brings strong winds, high humidity and heavy rains. It rarely rains in the morning even during the wet season - most precipitation falls in the afternoon, and even then, only occasionally.