All roads lead through Central Cambodia as the capital city of Phnom Penh lies at the heart of the region.
What is it?: Central Cambodia offers a blend of historical significance, natural beauty, and authentic rural life. From the bustling Phnom Penh to the tranquil provinces of Kampong Speu and Takeo, the region features both cultural heritage and untouched landscapes, providing a slower pace of life and opportunities for exploration off the beaten path.
Affordability: Affordable - Central Cambodia is generally inexpensive, with affordable local food, transportation, and accommodations. Places like Phnom Penh can be a little more expensive in touristy areas, but overall, the region offers great value.
Safety: Very safe - The region is generally safe for tourists, though common travel precautions should be taken in urban areas like Phnom Penh due to petty theft. Rural areas are very peaceful and welcoming.
Popularity: Low to moderate - While Phnom Penh is a popular destination, other provinces like Kampong Chhnang and Prey Veng are less frequented by tourists, making the area ideal for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Tourist Infrastructure: Developing - Cities like Phnom Penh have good infrastructure with modern hotels, restaurants, and transportation. Smaller towns like Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng are less developed in terms of tourism services but offer basic accommodations and services.
Weather: Tropical - Central Cambodia has a hot and humid climate, with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The dry season is the best time to visit for outdoor activities and exploring historical sites.
Best Time to Go: November to April - The dry season offers the best conditions for sightseeing, exploring temples, and outdoor activities, with pleasant weather and minimal rainfall.
Known For: Colonial architecture, ancient temples, rural landscapes, Khmer civilization, royal palaces, riverside views, and historical sites.
Top Destinations: Phnom Penh • Kampong Chhnang • Kampong Speu • Svay Rieng • Takeo • Prey Veng • Udong • Kirirom National Park • Ba Phnom Temple
Those traveling by land from Vietnam will likely end up in Phnom Penh as will most of those flying into Cambodia - the city features one of only two international airports in the country. While Siem Reap offers the temples of Angkor, Phnom Penh is certainly worth a visit; it is a fascinating city with much history, a vibrant nightlife, and numerous day trip possibilities that include cultural, natural, and historical attractions.
The provinces surrounding the capital may not be worth visiting on their own, but if you wish to explore the many attractions within Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace, Killing Fields, National Museum, and sunset cruises on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers, as well as the many surrounding sites, such as Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary and the former capital of Udong, the area is worth a few days to a week of your holiday itinerary.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital city, lies at the heart of “central” Cambodia at the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers (technically southeastern Cambodia). Surrounded by the generally impoverished, agrarian provinces of Kandal, Prey Veng, Takeo, and Kampong Speu, Phnom Penh offers many attractions, both in the city and in the surrounding provinces.
Popular day-trips include the former capital city of Udong and the ancient ruins of Phnom Da, in Takeo province, which lies just south of Phnom Penh along the road to Cambodia’s southern coast. The road leading northwest from Phnom Penh leads to Kampong Chhnang, which is situated at the source of the Tonle Sap River and offers visitors an opportunity to experience floating village life on the Tonle Sap Lake.
Kampong Chhnang Province
A central province that features beautiful marshes and the Sab River but relatively few tourists other than those stopping along the way from Phnom Penh to Battambang. The provincial capital, which sits on the banks of the Tonle Sap, offers some interest to visitors who are traveling by car and have a few hours to explore. Kampong Chhnang is best known for its floating villages, traditional pottery, and views of the floodplains during the rainy season.
- Kampong Chhnang Town: Riverside town with local markets, colonial buildings, and pottery villages nearby.
- Floating Villages: Tonle Sap stilt villages offering boat tours through traditional fishing communities.
- Phnom Neang Kang Rey: Hilltop site with local legends and panoramic countryside views.
Kampong Speu Province
Lying at the base of the Dâmrei Mountains along the way from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, Kampong Speu features stunning natural scenery, including Kirirom National Park, but little else of interest to tourists. The former royal capital of Udong technically lies within this oddly shaped province’s northern tip, drawing occasional visitors to its historic stupas and hilltop views.
- Kirirom National Park: Pine-forested plateau with hiking trails, waterfalls, and cool climate.
- Phnom Aural: Cambodia’s highest mountain, popular with serious trekkers.
- Udong (Oudong): Former capital with a hill of stupas offering historical insight and panoramic views.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital city offers colonial architecture, bohemian bars, and a grim history. Popular attractions include a charming riverside promenade, Buddhist temples, various museums, the Royal Palace, cultural arts, and day trips to natural and historical attractions. Phnom Penh blends a lively food scene, nightlife, and sobering reminders of Cambodia’s past.
- Royal Palace: Ornate palace complex with the Silver Pagoda and throne halls.
- National Museum of Cambodia: Museum showcasing Khmer art, sculpture, and artifacts.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Former prison turned museum memorializing victims of the Khmer Rouge.
- Choeung Ek Killing Fields: Mass graves and memorial stupa honoring genocide victims.
- Wat Phnom: Hilltop Buddhist temple and city namesake surrounded by leafy gardens.
- Russian Market: Bustling local market selling souvenirs, antiques, and street food.
- Sisowath Quay: Riverside promenade with cafés, restaurants, and views over the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers.
Prey Veng Province
A sleepy province bisected by a busy highway that connects Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Prey Veng offers little for visitors to see, particularly as the remains of pre-Angkorian Ba Phnom temple are mostly in ruins and the provincial capital city lies off the main road to the north. It remains largely agricultural, known for rice paddies and traditional rural life.
- Ba Phnom: Ancient hilltop site with a few temple ruins and religious significance.
- Prey Veng Town: Quiet provincial capital with local markets and colonial-era buildings.
Svay Rieng Province
Despite lying along the road from Phnom Penh to Vietnam, Svay Rieng is one of the smallest and poorest provinces in Cambodia. There are few tourist attractions, though the Prey Ba Sak area and Prasat temple are worth visiting if you have the time and the inclination. The province offers a glimpse into everyday rural Cambodian life, with rice fields stretching across flat plains.
- Svay Rieng Town: Small border town with a quiet local market and Buddhist temples.
- Prey Ba Sak: Forested area with a small shrine and peaceful natural surroundings.
- Prasat Prasat: Modest ancient temple ruins accessible via local tracks.
Takeo Province
A historic region known for its ancient temples, peaceful countryside, and the cradle of early Khmer civilization. Takeo is often called the “birthplace of Khmer culture” and features pre-Angkorian temple ruins scattered across rice paddies, offering a tranquil yet historically rich experience for visitors interested in Cambodia’s ancient heritage.
- Angkor Borei: Archaeological site and museum showcasing early Khmer civilization artifacts.
- Phnom Da: Hilltop pre-Angkorian temple offering countryside views and historic carvings.
- Tonle Bati: Riverside area with Ta Prohm temple (not to be confused with the Angkor site) and picnic spots.
Cities
-
Takeo: Takéo, a province located roughly midway between Phnom Penh and the coastal town of Kep, is perhaps best known for Phnom Da in the Angkor Borey district, though two-thirds of Cambodia’s silk weavers live in Takeo. Hailed as the oldest historical site in the country, Phnom Da makes a good day trip when combined with other attractions south of Phnom Penh, but otherwise Takéo offers little in the way of sights for the average visitor.
-
Phnom Penh: A low-rise urban sprawl of colonial architecture, bohemian bars, and a grim history. Popular spots include the Killing Fields, the Genocide Museum, the National Museum, and the Royal Palace.
-
Kampong Chhnang: This ancient city earned its name, the Port of Pots, from a Chinese emissary who visited late in the Angkor era. Today, the city on the Tonle Sap offers opportunities to visit floating villages that are infrequently visited by tourists.
National parks
Other Destinations
-
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary: Cambodia’s largest wildlife sanctuary provides a peaceful home for abused and captured animals.
-
Udong: This former capital city of Cambodia may lack the ruins of Angkor or Sambor Prei Kuk, but has a number of royal shrines on hillside surrounded by temples and hammock-shack restaurants. An easy and pleasant day-trip from Phnom Penh. Phnom Da - this 6th century temple, one of Cambodia’s oldest, is situated near fascinating artificial caves and the riverside town of Angkor Borei, which has a surprisingly impressive museum of ancient artifacts.
-
Phnom Chissor: This Angkor-era temple lies just south of Phnom Penh in Takeo Province atop a hill that commands spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
-
Ta Phrom: Intricate carvings can be found on every part of this large 12th century temple.
-
Yeah Pean: A son constructed this small temple adjacent to Ta Phrom in tribute to his mother.
Visitors typically fly into Phnom Penh international airport, though many travel overland from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - a relatively painless 4-5 hour bus ride. There are numerous transportation options for visiting provinces surrounding Phnom Penh as the capital city is the primary transportation hub for the country.
From Vietnam Cambodian visa on arrival is available for citizens of most western countries. Getting between provincial capitals is easy enough as Phnom Penh has regular bus service to each, while smaller cities have only one bus station and its easy to get a seat.
Minivans and private or share taxis are available in all provincial cities, including Phnom Penh for those looking to get from A to B a bit more quickly.
Getting around Phnom Penh is only a hassle as most tuk tuks and motorbike taxis will nearly always try to overcharge you. Consider hiring one for the entire day as opposed to per voyage (you can do the math to figure out how much you could save). In smaller cities your options are more limited, but distances are shorter and drivers are more likely to take a lower fare as they are genuinely in need of income and less jaded/greedy than those in the capital city.