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PHNOM PENH
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EXPLORE THE AREA
Presented By:
Muth Makara
Chief Concierge
insidertips
LOCAL CULTURE
BARGAINING
Bargaining is expected in all the markets and you can expect prices to fall significantly with some good-humured haggling.
CLIMATE
Cambodia has four seasons. From December to February you can expect it to be cool and dry; from March to May, dry and hot; from June to August, hot and rainy; from September to November, cool and rainy. Weather-wise, mid-November to February is the best time to visit.
LANGUAGE
Cambodia's official language is Cambodian, or Khmer. This language belongs to the Mon-Khmer (Austro-Asiatic) language family and is often relatively difficult for Westerners to learn. French had been the second most popular language until the 1990s, when English made an introduction. Vietnamese and South Chinese dialects are other languages spoken.
RELIGION
In Khmer culture, a person's head is believed to contain their soul. Touching a person's head or extending your feet towards the head while sitting is taboo.
TELEPHONE
In Cambodia, cell phones are more commonly used than fixed phones. Pre-paid SIM cards are available from all the network providers. To obtain a card you'll need a valid passport with visa and proof of address in Cambodia. Alternatively you may ask a Cambodian friend with a valid local ID to come with you and register the card to their address.
DID YOU KNOW?
Breakfast
Start off the day with a traditional Cambodian breakfast. There are four to choose from: bai sach chrouk (pork and rice); mee cha (noodles); khtieau (noodle soup) and bobor (rice porridge).
Cambodian silk
The most famous area for golden silk is Phnom Srok, on the hills above the Great Lake of Tonle Sap. Characterised by its beautiful golden colour the silk is still woven using techniques passed down from ninth-century Angkor.
Krama
A krama is a chequered scarf traditionally worn by the Khmer to separate them from their Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian neighbours. Much more than a fashion accessory the krama has a multitude of uses which include protecting your feet when climbing trees, a hammock for infants, a towel, or sarong - on occasion it's even turned into a small doll for children.
Phnom Penh
In 1373 a woman named Penh discovered five images of Buddha inside a koki tree washed up on the bank of the Mekong River. Housed in a purpose built Wat Phnom (mountain pagoda) the town that slowly grew to surround it became known as Phnom Penh which literally translated means 'Hill of Penh.'
Souvenirs
Traditional artefacts that make good souvenirs include silver boxes, often shaped as animals, which are used to store the medicinal leaves of the betel plant and hand-woven silks, some of the best of which are made using the traditional ikat methods.
WHAT TO PACK?
Malaria pills
Keep in mind that Cambodia, like much of South East Asia, is in a malarial zone. This being the case you may want to get your doctor to prescribe some malaria tablets before you leave home.
Passport
You'll need a passport that is valid for at least six months and a visa is required for most nationalities. One-month visas can be obtained through the Cambodian embassy on arrival at the international airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. A passport photo is required. E-visas are available at http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh
US$ bank notes
The US dollar is the de facto currency throughout Cambodia. However, change will be given in riel, the official Cambodian currency. Given that the current exchange rate is around 4,000 riel to the dollar, avoid bringing anything bigger than $20 bills. Larger notes will be difficult to exchange.