Overview
Take a trip to Phnom Penh on your Cambodia Vacation
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh is the country's commercial, economic and political hub and a city that should be experienced on Cambodia tours.
Once known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’ in the 1920s, after French colonialists developed and beautified the city, Phnom Penh continued its rapid growth and modern infrastructure.
However, in 1975 during the Vietnam War, Cambodia was used by North Vietnam as an army base, and many refugees flocked to Phnom Penh. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge, and all of Phnom Penh’s residents, including the wealthy and educated, were evacuated from the city and forced to do labour on rural farms as "new people".
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, previously a high school which was converted to a prison and torture chamber (Prison S-21) under the Khmer Rouge regime, features various grim displays, photos, and skulls of the 20,000 tortured prisoners that passed through these walls. The Killing Fields, about 15kms away, is now a memorial to those prisoners who were marched to the area to be murdered and buried in shallow graves. On Cambodia trips, this should be experienced.
In 1979 when the Khmer Rouge was driven away by the Vietnamese, people slowly returned to Phnom Penh, and a period of reconstruction began with both the help of a stable Cambodian government, and new foreign investment and aid.
Phnom Penh has a steep history many centuries old and offers various cultural and historic sites. Newly developing for tourism, Phnom Penh is becoming established as a chic destination with newly built bistros, boutique hotels, galleries, and bustling nightlife on your Cambodian tours.
In 1979 when the Khmer Rouge was driven away by the Vietnamese, people slowly returned to Phnom Penh, and a period of reconstruction began with both the help of a stable Cambodian government, and new foreign investment and aid.
Phnom Penh has a steep history many centuries old and offers various cultural and historic sites. Newly developing for tourism, Phnom Penh is becoming established as a chic destination with newly built bistros, boutique hotels, galleries, and bustling nightlife on your Cambodian tours.
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Ultimate Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfall, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, and HanoiJourney from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Luang Prabang, cruising limestone-studded Lan Ha Bay, wandering lantern-lit Hoi An, drifting through the Mekong Delta and watching sunrise over Angkor Wat.
17 days
From US$7,235/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Cambodia: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & Kep
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Angkor WatUncover Cambodia’s wonders on this private-guided journey, from the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat to Phnom Penh’s poignant past and Kep’s tranquil coastline.
9 days
From US$2,114/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfall, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, and HanoiJourney from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Luang Prabang, cruising limestone-studded Lan Ha Bay, wandering lantern-lit Hoi An, drifting through the Mekong Delta and watching sunrise over Angkor Wat.
17 days
From US$7,235/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Cambodia: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & Kep
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Angkor WatUncover Cambodia’s wonders on this private-guided journey, from the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat to Phnom Penh’s poignant past and Kep’s tranquil coastline.
9 days
From US$2,114/p.p.
Request a Quote
What do the experts say?
Pub Street in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a local favourite with very inexpensive drinks. It's also a great place to try the local delicacy, BBQ frog.
Going to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise may have become a touristy thing to do, but you'll be surprised to see how many locals enjoy it, as well.
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is a great photo...
The National Museum
Two buddhist monks in a temple in Phnom Penh
Monks on their daily walks in Phnom Penh
Beautiful gardens at the National Museum
Most Popular Time to Travel
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Place
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Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
Phnom PenhPartly Cloudy
34°C / 93°F
48mm / 1.9"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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ExcellentBased on 5,342 ReviewsBrooke from Goway Travel was really great to work with. There was 12 of us travelling and we weren’t all travelling on the exact same itinerary. Brooke worked hard to keep us all organized. She facilitated all the bookings and flights for an African safari and further travel for some after that. The safari out of Nairobi was excellent. Would definitely use Goway Travel and Brooke again. Karen GGoway Travel one of the best travel companies that my family have used to book a vacation. We worked with Leo Li, a travel agent at Goway to plan a two week tour to China called Scenic China: Mountain, Rivers, and Rice Terraces in October, 2026. From the start, the communication was clear and helpful. Leo listened to what we wanted and added a day before the start of the tour and a day at the end of the tour which was requested, booked great hotels, and took the stress completely out of booking flights and transfers.
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Leo did an outstanding job of putting together a memorable tour and we would happily recommend Goway to anyone looking for a seamless vacation.Howard TI will always use GoWay when I travel. And especially use my agent Bijal Kana. You never feel unsafe and your transfers and itinerary are amazing. This is my second trip with Goway, having gone to Egypt with them and having an amazing experience. I’ve now traveled to China and also had an amazing experience. The only thing I would improve is that some of the quality of the restaurants were less than I would have expected, sometimes feeling like you’re in a fast food restaurant ..I’m not sure if that’s controlled by go away or the local tour managers. But as far as driving and transportation in the itinerary, it was perfectly planned. The hotels also were top-notch. The tour guides also guide you securely in airports and trains to make sure that you are safely placed in the right area. If i had anything to improve on, it would be the restaurant quality, I expected more of a four or five star restaurant experience, which I would say 75% of the time I felt like we were in a very nice restaurant. Which made me think it was up to our tour guide that chose the restaurants. There were a few times that was extremely disappointed on the location and the restaurant experience. But other times I felt like it was the best place in the world they could’ve chosen so I’m not sure. Please don’t take this as anything against go away. I would definitely use them every time I travel.
I wish I could directly submit a review on each tour guide in each location, which would be much more specific on how the experience went. Maybe in the future they will give a more in-depth survey on each tour guide that you interact with and their choices and their touring style. That being said I still give the trip a 95%. Marina PenderThis Kenya adventure was my second trip to Africa with Goway, and once again, my go-to Africa specialist, Alexandra Hale, worked her magic. She helped create a thoughtfully planned itinerary that included all the must-see highlights of Kenya, with the perfect blend of luxury and adventure.
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This was another unforgettable African adventure, and I’m already looking forward to returning to the continent. When it’s time to plan my next trip, Goway will be my first call.ABanksExceptional Service from Leo Liu at Goway Travel
Our recent 16-day private journey through China was an extraordinary experience, thanks in large part to Leo Liu of Goway Travel, who worked closely with me to create a truly personalized itinerary.
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Having traveled extensively, we value a travel advisor who does more than arrange hotels and transportation. We appreciate someone who genuinely collaborates with us to create meaningful experiences. Leo Liu delivered exactly that.
Thank you, Leo, for your dedication, patience, and excellent service. Our China adventure was filled with wonderful memories, and we look forward to planning many more journeys with you and Goway Travel.
Highly recommended for travelers seeking thoughtfully designed, personalized luxury travel experiences!SuzetteI’ve travelled with GoWay Travel for over ten trips abroad.(Australia, Japan, NewZealand, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya/Tanzania.)
Each itinerary was customized to fit my needs, suggestions given to improve the experiences, and the air transportation was arranged.
The consultants have been exemplary, with Brooke Theron being my skilful consultant for this my third trip to Botswana. She was patient, knew her destinations, listened to my wants and delivered an itinerary that was different from my two other trips to Botswana.
Since I now travel solo, I’m very conscious of security, planning, being met and transported from airports to destinations, very good accommodations with excellent food packages, and lots of activities.
This trip rates in the top three of my journeys with GoWay. Brooke booked me into the Kwando Reserve- Splash 3 days and Lebala camp 3 days and 2 days on the Chobe Princess cruise on the border of Botswana and Namibia. Kwando Safaris were excellent and the Chobe Princess was good but not quite what I had envisioned.
The whole trip was flawlessly detailed and executed. I was never left wondering what to do or where to go. GoWay’s partner in Botswana is Thompson Africa. They were very good.
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Everything was looked after and no stress for usJean WilloughbyVanessa from Goway Travel did a fantastic job pulling together a really comprehensive itinerary for our trip to Egypt. Her advice about "must see" sites was extremely helpful and she also provided great tips based on her own experience travelling to Egypt. Excellent planning by Vanessa meant we were able to thoroughly enjoy our trip. Olga
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