Phnom Penh is gaining a reputation for fine dining. The menu at popular Tepui at China House is influenced by Mediterranean and South American cuisine. Head chef Gisela Salazar Golding is Venezuelan. Pictured: duck breast in a bed of mushrooms with baby potatoes.
Tepui at China House —
Phnom Penh is gaining a reputation for fine dining. The menu at popular Tepui at China House is influenced by Mediterranean and South American cuisine. Head chef Gisela Salazar Golding is Venezuelan. Pictured: duck breast in a bed of mushrooms with baby potatoes.
Tepui at China House
Phnom Penh's Royal Palace was constructed in 1866. Though tourists can't enter the area of the royal abode, they can check out the Throne Hall (Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay) where official ceremonies take place; Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot); a Royal Dining Hall and the Chan Chhaya Pavilion.
Phnom Penh's Royal Palace —
Phnom Penh's Royal Palace was constructed in 1866. Though tourists can't enter the area of the royal abode, they can check out the Throne Hall (Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay) where official ceremonies take place; Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot); a Royal Dining Hall and the Chan Chhaya Pavilion.
CNN
Phnom Penh's Central Market (Phsar Thmei) is a prime example of the city's art deco influences. Built in 1935, its four wings are filled with shops selling jewelry, clothing, household goods and brand-name knockoffs.
Phnom Penh's Central Market —
Phnom Penh's Central Market (Phsar Thmei) is a prime example of the city's art deco influences. Built in 1935, its four wings are filled with shops selling jewelry, clothing, household goods and brand-name knockoffs.
CNN
A few high-rises are sprouting from Phnom Penh's base. Due to open late last year, the 39-story mixed-use Vattanac Capital (pictured) still isn't complete. Meanwhile, franchises including KFC, Dairy Queen and Burger King have opened in the city.
Growing city —
A few high-rises are sprouting from Phnom Penh's base. Due to open late last year, the 39-story mixed-use Vattanac Capital (pictured) still isn't complete. Meanwhile, franchises including KFC, Dairy Queen and Burger King have opened in the city.
CNN
Cambodians returning from abroad are fueling the city's cosmopolitan rise. Phnom Penh's popular Ambre boutique features designs by Paris-trained Cambodian Romyda Keth, who returned to her country of birth in 1994 after more than a decade away.
Ambre, fashion boutique —
Cambodians returning from abroad are fueling the city's cosmopolitan rise. Phnom Penh's popular Ambre boutique features designs by Paris-trained Cambodian Romyda Keth, who returned to her country of birth in 1994 after more than a decade away.
Courtesy Ambre
Phnom Penh's most luxurious hotel is the Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Opened in 1929, it's welcomed former U.S first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Despite the finery, rooms can be had from $180 per night.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal —
Phnom Penh's most luxurious hotel is the Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Opened in 1929, it's welcomed former U.S first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Despite the finery, rooms can be had from $180 per night.
Raffles Le Royal
Phnom Penh's Kingdom Breweries is one of the country's only premium beer producers. Visitors can tour its riverside brewery and knock back a couple cold ones afterward.
Kingdom Breweries —
Phnom Penh's Kingdom Breweries is one of the country's only premium beer producers. Visitors can tour its riverside brewery and knock back a couple cold ones afterward.
CNN
Though Phnom Penh's Romdeng restaurant is known for its fine Cambodian cuisine, there are some menu items not everyone can stomach -- like these fried tarantulas (a local delicacy) paired with pepper and lime sauce.
Fried tarantulas —
Though Phnom Penh's Romdeng restaurant is known for its fine Cambodian cuisine, there are some menu items not everyone can stomach -- like these fried tarantulas (a local delicacy) paired with pepper and lime sauce.
Romdeng
Phnom Penh's Tuol Sleng Genocide Musuem is set in a former high school used by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979 as a prison and interrogation center. Photos of victims line the walls of the complex, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist sites.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Musuem —
Phnom Penh's Tuol Sleng Genocide Musuem is set in a former high school used by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979 as a prison and interrogation center. Photos of victims line the walls of the complex, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist sites.
CNN
A man throws a fishing net in the Mekong river in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian capital sits at the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.
Mekong River —
A man throws a fishing net in the Mekong river in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian capital sits at the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.
TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP/GettyImages