Phnom Penh Orientation

Phnom Penh Orientation
The main body of Phnom Penh sits along the
west side of the Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers.
The airport is at the western edge of town, about
9km (40-60 minutes) from town center. Most incity
points of interest lie within 10-20 minutes of
each other. Hotels, restaurants and shops are
spread across the city, though there is a greater
concentration toward the center of the town,
especially near and along the riverfront. Public
transportation including tuk-tuks, taxis, mototaxis
and cyclos (see page 108) are readily available
citywide making it easy to catch transport from
one site to the next.
Though hotels, restaurants, bars,
spas and shops are spread across
the city, many are clustered into small
districts, bar streets and tourist areas,
each unique in its own way.
Always bustling, the riverfront is the
most popular tourist district the city
with dozens of restaurants, bars,
shops and hotels lining the riverside
and adjoined roads, including several
bar streets such as Streets 136, 110
and 104, all offering bars and eateries.
Another late-night pub street is
Street 51 near Street 172, sporting a
couple of blocks of bars and clubs, all
hopping well into the wee hours.
The Boeung Keng Kang (BKK) area
is dotted with a mix of restaurants,
bars and hotels as well as a more
relaxed atmosphere, drawing more
travelers, NGOers and the like. The
neighborhood east of Norodom also
harbors an eclectic collection of cafes.
Boeung Kak Lake is gone and the old
budget traveler scene has moved on.
These days the more popular budget
districts include the stretch along
Street 172 behind Wat Ounalom, and
another on Street 258 a couple of
blocks from the Palace. The Boeung
Keng Kang area also has its share of
budget accommodation.