Avoid Phnom Penh's Tourist Traps With These Great Alternatives
Modern travellers are increasingly on the lookout for something different to do away from the madding crowds. With that in mind, here are some great alternatives to avoid Phnom Penh’s mounting tourist traps.
Head to Street 308 instead of Riverside
Try Jet’s Container Market instead of the night market
Many tourists head straight to the night market at the north end of Riverside. However, a better alternative is Jet’s Container Market, which has captured the imagination of Cambodia’s youth since opening in 2017. The market features more than 224 stalls – all in converted shipping containers – that take in a range of restaurants, bars and stores selling clothes, gadgets, music and other items. Live music can also be found but be warned, at weekends it can get pretty crowded.
Swap Russian Market for Orussey
Market
Trade Wat Phnom for Tonle Bati
Swap the gym for aerobics at Olympic Stadium
Gym, Stadium
Ditch Street 178’s art for Street 93
Take an evening stroll on Koh Pich over Riverside
Natural Feature
Swap a generic city tour for one led by locals
There is no shortage of tour companies operating city trips that take visitors on a whistle stop tour of the capital. If you’re after something more, then sign up to one of Khmer Architecture’s tours. Led by local artists, architects and architecture students, the walking tours cover 1960s New Khmer Architecture, such as the Royal University of Phnom Penh (Institute of Foreign Languages), Vann Molyvann’s 100 Houses Social Housing project and Olympic Stadium. The Central Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour takes visitors around the capital’s colonial buildings, as well as modern and post-independence architecture.
Rather than see a show, take part in one
There are plenty of opportunities to watch a traditional arts show, with Cambodian Living Arts putting on a spectacular every evening at the National Museum. To step up your experience, sign up to one of Sovanna Phum Arts Association’s classes. As well as putting on regular shadow puppet performances, with the occasional classical dance and traditional drum show thrown in for good measure, the association also holds classes in the art of shadow puppetry, puppet making, classical and folk dance and traditional Khmer instruments.