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Phnom Penh

ភ្នំពេញ

Capital city and autonomous municipality

Phnom Penh Capital
រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ

From top, left to right: Independence Monument, Phnom Penh skyline, Skyscrapers in Khan Chamkar Mon district, National Museum of Cambodia, Khan Boeng Keng Kang district, Wat Phnom, View of Phnom Penh from the Mekong river

Seal

Nickname(s):

Pearl of Asia (pre-1960s)
The Charming City

Phnom Penh

Location in Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Location in Asia

Country

Cambodia

Settled

5th century

Founded

1372

Capital status

1434–1497

Capital re-established

1865

Named for

Wat Phnom and Lady Penh

Subdivisions

14 khans

Government

• Type

Municipal council

Area

• Capital city and autonomous municipality

679 km² (262 sq mi)

• Metro

3,858 km² (1,490 sq mi)

Area rank

24th

Elevation

11.89 m (39.01 ft)

Population

(2023 census)

• Capital city and autonomous municipality

2,507,803

• Rank

1st

• Density

3,361/km² (8,700/sq mi)

• Density rank

1st

• Metro

3,483,532

Demonym(s)

Phnom Penher
(French: Phnom Penhois(e))

Time zone

UTC+07:00 (ICT)

Area code(s)

+855 (023)

HDI (2021)

0.729
high · 1st

Phnom Penh

Khmer name
Khmer	ភ្នំពេញ UNGEGN: Phnum Pénh GD: Phnum Penh ALA-LC: Bhnaṃ Beñ IPA: [pʰnomˈpɨɲ]

Phnom Penh (/pəˌnɒm ˈpɛn, ˌpnɒm -/; Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, Phnum Pénh [pʰnomˈpɨɲ], lit. Penh's Hill/Mountain) is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. It has been the country's capital since the time of the French protectorate of Cambodia. Today, it is Cambodia's most important city for business, industry, and culture. Before Phnom Penh, the city of Oudong was the capital.

Phnom Penh became the capital after Angkor Thom. However, it was left empty several times before King Norodom brought it back to life in 1865. The city used to be a center for making things like textiles and medicines. But its main strengths were its culture and learning centers. Important universities like the Royal University of Phnom Penh are located here.

In the early 1900s, Phnom Penh was called the "Pearl of Asia." This was because of its beautiful French buildings from the colonial period. Along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh is a top travel spot in Cambodia. The city was founded in 1372 and is famous for its old buildings and sights. It first became the national capital in 1434 after the fall of Angkor. It kept this status until 1497. It became the capital again in 1865 during the French colonial era. Many old colonial buildings can still be seen along the city's wide streets.

Phnom Penh sits by the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. More than 2 million people live here, which is about 14% of Cambodia's population. The larger Phnom Penh area also includes nearby Ta Khmau city and parts of Kandal province.

The city has hosted many big events. These include the ASEAN Summit in 2002, 2012, and 2022. It also hosted the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Phnom Penh will be the first Cambodian city to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029.

The Name of Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh means "Penh's hill." It gets its name from the Wat Phnom temple, which means "hill temple." The name also connects to the ancient Funan Kingdom, which existed from the 1st to the 7th century AD. This kingdom was an early version of the Cambodian monarchy.

A legend says that in 1372, a rich woman named Penh found a Koki tree floating in the Tonlé Sap River. This happened after a big storm. Inside the tree, she found four bronze Buddha statues and a stone statue of Vishnu. Lady Penh asked villagers to make the hill near her house taller. She then used the Koki wood to build a temple on the hill. This temple was for the Buddha statues. She also built a smaller shrine for the Vishnu statue. The temple became known as Wat Phnom Daun Penh, which is now called Wat Phnom. It is a small hill about 27 metres (89 ft) high.

Phnom Penh's old official name was Krong Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol. This means "city of Brahma's faces." A shorter version is Krong Chaktomuk, meaning "city of four faces." This name was given by King Ponhea Yat. It means "the place of four rivers that brings happiness and success to the Khmer Kingdom." It also means "the highest leader's city and the strong city of the God Indra of the great kingdom."

History of Phnom Penh

People believe that Phnom Penh was first settled around the 5th century AD. This is based on old pottery sites found in the Dangkao district. These sites show that a large community lived there. They also had an ancient irrigation system and temple foundations.

The legend of Phnom Penh's founding tells of a woman named Penh (also called Lady Penh). She lived at Chaktomuk in the late 1300s. The Khmer capital was then at Angkor, about 350 km (217 mi) north. Lady Penh found a floating koki tree in the river. Inside, she found four Buddha statues and one of Vishnu.

Phnom Penh from east drawn in 1887.

Stupa of King Ponhea Yat on the top of Wat Phnom

People saw this discovery as a special sign. Some believed it meant the capital should move to Phnom Penh from Angkor. To keep these sacred objects, Lady Penh built a small hill on the west bank of the Tonle Sap River. She put a shrine on top, which is now Wat Phnom. "Phnom" means "hill" in Khmer. So, Penh's hill gave the area its name.

Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved it from Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom had been captured and damaged by Siam. There is a stupa behind Wat Phnom that holds the remains of King Ponhea Yat and his family. It also holds Buddhist statues from the Angkor era. In the 1600s, Japanese and Portuguese communities also lived in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh was the royal capital for 73 years, from 1432 to 1505. It was then left empty for 360 years (1505 to 1865). This was because of disagreements among the royal family. Later kings moved the capital many times to different places.

In 1866, under King Norodom I, Phnom Penh became the permanent capital of Cambodia. The current Royal Palace was built then. Starting in 1870, the French colonial rulers changed the riverside village into a city. They built hotels, schools, banks, and other public buildings. In 1872, King Norodom hired a French builder to construct 300 brick houses for Chinese traders.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was known as the "Pearl of Asia." Over the next 40 years, it grew quickly. Railways were built to Sihanoukville and the airport. The city's buildings and services became much more modern under Sihanouk.

During the Vietnam War, many people from across Cambodia came to Phnom Penh. They were escaping fighting in their home areas. By 1975, the city's population was 2–3 million, mostly refugees. In April 1975, the Khmer Rouge took over the city. All residents were forced to leave and work on farms in the countryside. Tuol Sleng High School was turned into the S-21 prison camp.

From top, left to right: Royal Throne Hall, Silver Pagoda, a street in Koh Pich, Sisowath Quay, Riverside Park, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Royal Stupas, Hotel Le Royal, Supreme Court Building

The Khmer Rouge were removed from Phnom Penh in 1979. People then began to return to the city. A period of rebuilding started. New foreign investments and aid from countries like France, Australia, and Japan helped. Loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank helped bring back clean water, roads, and other services. In 1998, Phnom Penh's population was 862,000. By 2019, it reached over 2.2 million.

Geography and Climate

Phnom Penh is in the south-central part of Cambodia. The Kandal province surrounds it. The city is located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. These rivers provide fresh water and other natural resources. Phnom Penh and its surrounding areas are mostly flat flood plains. Even though Phnom Penh is about 11.89 metres (39 ft) above the river, flooding can happen during the monsoon season.

The city covers an area of about 678.46 square kilometres (262 sq mi). This includes about 11,401 hectares (28,172 acres) of city land and 26,106 ha (64,509 acres) of roads. There are also agricultural lands within the city area.

Climate

Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. The weather is hot all year, with only small changes. Temperatures usually range from 22 to 35 °C (72 to 95 °F). The weather is affected by tropical monsoons. The southwest monsoon brings wet winds from May to November, with high temperatures and humidity. The dry season is from December to April. During this time, night temperatures can drop to 22 °C (72 °F).

City Government

Phnom Penh Capital Hall

Sections (khans) of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh is a special city that acts like a province. It is divided into 14 areas called khans (sections). These khans are further divided into 105 sangkats (quarters), and then into 953 phums (villages). All these areas are managed by the Phnom Penh government. Some khans like Dangkao and Russey Keo are on the city's edges.

The city is led by a governor. The governor is in charge of the city's police and urban planning. There are also several vice governors and a chief of cabinet. Each khan also has its own chief.

People and Culture

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1950	334,000	—
1960	398,000	+1.77%
1970	457,000	+1.39%
1975	370,000	−4.14%
1978	32,000	−55.78%
1980	189,000	+143.03%
1985	351,000	+13.18%
1990	634,000	+12.55%
1995	925,000	+7.85%
2000	1,284,000	+6.78%
2005	1,677,000	+5.49%
2010	2,101,725	+4.62%
2019	2,129,371	+0.15%

As of 2019, Phnom Penh had over 2.1 million people. The city's population density was about 3,136 people per square kilometer. The population has grown a lot since 1979. The city area has become four times bigger.

Most people in Phnom Penh are Khmer, about 95.3%. About 4% are Chams, and 0.7% are other groups like Chinese and Vietnamese. The main language is Khmer. However, English and French are also widely used.

Religion

Religion in Phnom Penh (2019 census) Buddhism (97.8%) Islam (1.6%) Christianity (0.5%) Animism and Other religions (0.1%)

The main religion in Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism. Over 97.8% of people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. The Chams have practiced Islam for many centuries. A small number of people follow Christianity.

Culture

"Dried" version of Phnom Penh noodles with soup broth on the side.

Phnom Penh has its own way of speaking Khmer. People from Phnom Penh sometimes shorten words. The city is also known for its special rice noodle soup called Ka tieu Phnom Penh. You can find this dish in cafes and on the street.

The city hosts many music events. Local bands are growing, partly because of new music schools. The Cambodian fishing dance started in Phnom Penh in the 1960s.

The Cambodian fishing dance originated from Phnom Penh.

The two most popular museums are the National Museum and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The National Museum shows Cambodian history and old items. It also has traditional dance shows like the Apsara dance. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was a prison camp during the Khmer Rouge era.

Cambodian New Year

Choul Chnam Thmey is the Cambodian New Year. It is a very popular holiday, especially for tourists. It happens during the hottest part of the year. People throw water, dance, and enjoy music. The exact date changes each year, but the holiday lasts at least three days. It marks the start of the new year on the old Khmer calendar. It also celebrates the end of the harvest season.

Water Festival

Colorful boats during Bon Om Touk.

The biggest festival in Phnom Penh is Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival. This exciting event celebrates when the Tonlé Sap River changes its flow. The holiday lasts three days. Many people come to the city for fireworks, boat races, concerts, food, and parties. The boat racing tradition is very old. It shows the strength of the Khmer navy from the time of the Khmer Empire.

Ancestors' Day

Ancestors' Day, also called Pchum Ben, is a very important Cambodian holiday. It means "gathering together" to give offerings. It is a time for families to reunite and remember their ancestors. People offer food and good deeds to help their ancestors in the spirit world. This helps guide them back into the cycle of rebirth.

Visak Bochea

Vesākha is an annual holiday for Buddhists in Cambodia. It is sometimes called "Buddha's Birthday." This day celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha.

Economy and Development

Central.Post.Office.Poste.Phnom.Penh.1.Cambodge

The Central Post Office Building

The Hong Kong Center, headquarters of oil producer TotalEnergies in Cambodia

Phnom Penh is the heart of Cambodia's economy. It makes up a big part of the country's wealth. The economy has grown very fast recently. This has led to many new hotels, restaurants, and tall buildings.

The economy relies on businesses like clothing factories, trade, and small companies. The real estate market has also been growing quickly. Tourism is very important for the city. More shopping centers are opening, making Phnom Penh a top tourist spot in Southeast Asia. Sisowath Quay is a popular area for tourists. It is a five-kilometer strip along the Tonle Sap River with many restaurants and hotels.

New city projects are being built to help the growing population and economy. For example, Camko City is a new urban area costing $2.6 billion. There are plans to build new roads, canals, and a railway system to connect Camko City with Phnom Penh.

Other big projects include:

Grand Phnom Penh International City
Gold Tower 42
Vattanac Capital Tower
The Peak

Many new shopping places have opened, like Aeon Mall Phnom Penh. Also, many international clothing brands have stores here.

The tallest building in Phnom Penh is Vattanac Capital Tower. It is 188 metres (617 ft) tall. This tower stands out in the city's skyline. Many other modern tall buildings have been built all over the city.

The Central Market, Phsar Thmei, is a popular place for tourists. Its yellow buildings have many stalls selling jewelry, clothes, food, and flowers.

Education

Phnom Penh has many schools and universities. These institutions help educate the city's growing population.

Universities and Colleges

Buddhist Institute

Royal University of Phnom Penh Campus II

Institute of Foreign Languages

Institut de Technologie du Cambodge

Phnom Penh is home to many universities and colleges. Some of the well-known ones include:

American University of Phnom Penh
University of Cambodia (UC)
Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE)
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)
Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia

Schools

The city also has many primary, secondary, and high schools. Some notable high schools are:

Bak Touk High School
Lycée Sisowath
Tuol Svay Prey High School

There are also many international schools in Phnom Penh. These schools offer different teaching styles and curriculums. Some examples are:

Singapore (Cambodia) International Academy (SCIA)
American Intercon School (AIS)
Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CISP)
International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)
Paragon International School

Cityscape and Buildings

Phnom Penh city at night

The oldest building in Phnom Penh is Wat Phnom, built in 1373. Other main attractions are the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum was built during the French colonial period. It has many old Khmer artifacts. The Independence Monument is from the 1950s but looks like ancient Khmer style.

The French, who ruled from the 1800s to the 1940s, also left their mark. You can see French-style houses, churches, wide streets, and the Art Deco market Phsar Thom Thmei. The Hotel Le Royal is another famous building from that time.

After Cambodia became independent in the 1950s, Phnom Penh grew a lot. King Sihanouk wanted new styles of buildings. This led to a "New Khmer Architecture" movement. It mixed modern styles with traditional Khmer designs. Vann Molyvann was a famous architect from this time. He designed important buildings like the National Theatre. Many new neighborhoods were built in the 1950s and 1960s.

Statue of Lady Penh, the city's founder.

Today, some of these older buildings are being replaced by new ones. However, there is a movement to protect this modern heritage. Some old houses are even being turned into small hotels.

There are also places that remember the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s. These include the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocide Center (Killing Fields). The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument was built to symbolize friendship after the Khmer Rouge were removed.

Phnom Penh has seen a lot of growth in recent years. This has led to new plans for the city. Several "satellite cities" are being built around the main city. These include Grand Phnom Penh International City and Diamond Island City. Farmland on the city's edges is also being developed. It is used for factories and housing for people who need more affordable homes.

Panoramic view of Phnom Penh from City Center


National Museum, designed in the early-1920s by George Groslier.	Royal Throne Hall, constructed in the 1860s under King Norodom I.	Façade, Hotel Le Royal, built in 1929 in the reign of King Sisowath Monivong.	Colonial villa in Phnom Penh.	Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

Phnom Penh city at night revealing skylines and the royal palace, viewed from the east bank of Tonle Sap river in September 2019.

Future Plans: The 2035 Master Plan

The 2035 master plan is a project to develop Phnom Penh. It is supported by France. The plan aims to connect new city areas to the old city center. These new areas will be linked by waterways and tree-lined paths.

Media and News

Phnom Penh has many newspapers. Some are in Khmer, like Rasmei Kampuchea. There are also English newspapers, such as Phnom Penh Post and Khmer Times. Chinese newspapers are also available. The city also has lifestyle magazines and online news websites.

Sports and Activities

In Phnom Penh, you can watch traditional Cambodian martial arts. These include Bokator, Pradal Serey (Khmer kickboxing), and Khmer traditional wrestling. Over the last 30 years, modern sports have become more popular. Football is very popular, as are martial arts.

The main sports place in the city is the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium. It can hold 50,000 people. This stadium is home to the Cambodia national football team. It was built in 1964 and was one of the largest stadiums in Asia. Volleyball, basketball, and Tai-Kwon-Do games are also held there.

Phnom Penh has many football teams that play in the Cambodian League. These include Phnom Penh Crown FC, Visakha, and Nagaworld. The city hosted the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 ASEAN Para Games. This was the first time Cambodia hosted such a big multi-sport event. Phnom Penh will also host the 2029 Asian Youth Games.

Getting Around Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh International Airport

Phnom Penh International Airport is Cambodia's biggest and busiest airport. It is about seven kilometers west of the city center. You can get to the city by taxi, train, or shuttle bus. A new airport, Techo Takhmao International Airport, is planned to replace it in 2025.

Cambodia Angkor Air is Cambodia's national airline. Its main office and hub are in Phnom Penh.

You can travel from Phnom Penh to other parts of Cambodia by bus. Many bus companies offer services to most provincial capitals. Phnom Penh also has a rail service.

The city is Cambodia's main freshwater port. It is a big port on the Mekong River. It connects to the South China Sea through a river channel in Vietnam.

Public Transport

Phnom Penh BRT bus approaching Monivong-Sihanouk station

Phnom Penh has public buses with air conditioning. The city now has 21 bus lines. These are run by the Phnom Penh municipal government. For private transport, people use cycle rickshaws (called "cyclo"), motorcycle taxis (called "moto"), auto rickshaws (called "tuk-tuk"), and regular taxis. Locals often use bicycles, motorbikes, and cars.

Major Roads

As the capital, Phnom Penh is connected to many parts of the country by national highways. These roads link the city to different provinces and even to the borders of Vietnam and Thailand.

In 2023, a new expressway opened. It connects Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville. This expressway was built with help from China.

Water Supply

The water supply in Phnom Penh has gotten much better since 1993. More people have access to water, and the quality has improved. The city's water company, the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA), has become very efficient. Its main water sources are the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap river, and the Tonle Bassac river.

Sister Cities

Phnom Penh has "sister city" relationships with many cities around the world. This means they work together on cultural and other projects. Some of its sister cities include: