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Looking forward to an affordable and enjoyable getaway to Phnom Penh? Let us help you with the plans. Our guidebook and its well-drawn maps will help you find the best places to visit, stay, eat and shop. It'll also give you tips on transport, tours, culture, festivals and the local language.
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| Help save the Douc Monkey! |
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| The Douc Monkey, also known as the Douc Langur, consists of three species: the Red-shanked Douc, Black-shanked Douc and Gray-shanked Douc. These colobine Old World monkeys have striking appearances are currently listed as an endangered species in the IUCN Red List. Their long hind limbs allow them to be wonderfully agile in their treetop habitat, although like all other Old World monkeys, their tails are not prehensile. They can be found in the forests of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, which are rapidly disappearing due to intense logging activities that supplies hardwoods for construction of houses, floors and furniture. According to The Douc Langur Foundation, as their habitat disappears, so do their chances for survival. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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| An introduction to Phnom Penh |
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| by Adline A. Ghani, working mum & freelance writer |
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Phnom Penh, once known as the 'Pearl of Asia', is the capital city of Cambodia. It is a major tourist destination and a rising commercial, political and cultural hub in the region. The city is situated at the confluence of three major rivers, the Mekong, Bassac and Tonlé Sap. The river system remains vital to the city's economy, as they connect Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Vietnam's Mekong Delta.
The city's main lifeline, however, are the highways that connect Phnom Penh to other parts of the country. Phnom Penh's International Airport, which is located just 7 km west of the city centre, is one of the country's largest and busiest air terminals. Once there, it's quite easy to get around in the city. Public transport includes taxis, pick-ups, buses, trains, tuk tuks and for the more daring, motorcycle taxis.
Though largely famed for its busy streets, the city retains much of its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. The latter is perhaps best evidenced by one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Hotel Le Royal. The populous city, of course, has numerous budget, mid-range and high-end accommodations to choose from. The most romantic option would be boutique hotels, such as the Frangipani and the Knai Bang Chatt, converted French villas that stand serenely along tree-lined boulevards.
As in most parts of Cambodia, transactions in Phnom Penh can be made in US dollars or Cambodian riel. Favourite shopping spots include Phsar Thom Thmei, an Art Deco shopping centre teeming with jewellery, antiques and clothing; as well as western-styled malls such as the Sorya Market and the Sovanna Shopping Center. As a historical city, Phnom Penh is home to numerous sites of interest. Among its major attractions is the Royal Palace, which dates to the mid 1800s. It boasts two magnificent edifices, the Silver Pagoda the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Opposite the Royal Palace is another must-see, the National Museum. Constructed during the French colonial era, it houses a vast collection of Khmer antiquities and a central courtyard. One of the city's most attractive spots is the Sisowath Quay or Riverside, a boulevard that runs along the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap. It is home to upscale bars, cafés and shops, as well as an esplanade ideal for a cool evening stroll. Not far from the Sisowath Quay, is Wat Phnom, the city's oldest structure. Perched on an artificial hilltop, it was constructed during the 14th century, during the founding days of the city.
A trip to Phnom Penh would be incomplete, however, without a visit to sites that remind us of Cambodia's horrific, yet not too distant past. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, for example, bears chilling testimony to the torment and murder of over 14,000 people by the Khmer Rouge during the mid 1970s. The museum was originally, a school that was converted into a concentration camp and is now home to a disturbing collection of torture devices, skulls and photographs of the victims. Another important site is the infamous Killing Fields at Cheoung Ek. This now serene, yet sombre site was where large numbers of people were executed and buried.
With such a traumatic past, it is no wonder that the city manages to reconstruct and heal itself by developing a steely exterior. Its chaotic nature is well-known and may not be for the faint-hearted. However, colourful Phnom Penh proves an irresistible draw to many, who appreciate stark contrasts and contradictions. Seasoned travellers would say that it takes almost everyone who visits it by surprise.
All types of Visas for entry into Cambodia can be applied at Cambodian Embassies, upon arrival at major check points, or online at their official e-Visa website. A 30 day single-entry Visa costs USD20, with an additional USD5 processing fee. The Visa will usually be issued within 3 business days and it is important to note that visitors from Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore do not require a Visa.
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