Reimagine your Happiness with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir – A day in Phnom Penh
Start Your Day in
Phnom Penh
Know you are in good hands when you book with SilkAir for your short sojourns around the region. With 21 flights per week to choose from, you have every reason to plan now for your Phnom Penh adventure. With SilkAir’s attentive and friendly service, your two-hour journey will whizz by in a blink of an eye.
Meditation at Wat Langka
08:00
START YOUR MORNING PEACEFULLY
Start your morning amid the peace and tranquillity at Wat Langka, one of the five pagodas founded by Ponhea Yat, the last king of the Khmer Empire. Getting its name from its historic ties with Sri Lanka, the pagoda was originally a sanctuary for holy writings, and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks. Today, tourists flock here to understand Khmer culture, enjoy a peaceful stroll, and view its beautiful structures, including the majestic golden Buddha statue. Head there on Sundays for a one-hour silent morning meditation. These sessions start at 8.30am and are supervised by English-speaking monks, who may be able to help you find inner peace. Evening sessions are held on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 pm.
Royal Palace
Silver Pagoda
Left: Royal Palace Right: Silver Pagoda
10:00
MARVEL AT KHMER ARTISANSHIP
Behind the yellow walls of the royal compound stands the stunning Royal Palace. Featuring classic Khmer roofs and elaborate golden decorations, the palace is home to the current ruler, King Sihamoni and his family. While some areas are off limits, there is still enough to explore within this massive compound. Check out the Throne Hall, boasting a 59-metre-high tower crowned with golden-coloured tiles, and is used for coronations and official ceremonies. The Silver Pagoda is another must-see. Named after its silver-tiled floor, this stunning architecture is a meeting place for the King and monks, and houses a collection of historical objects, including the extraordinary 17th-century Emerald Buddha sculpture made of green baccarat crystal and a Golden Buddha decorated with 2,086 diamonds.
Barbeque seafood
12:00
TUCK INTO A SEAFOOD FEAST
Now that you have worked up an appetite, head to Central Market for a lunch like no other. This huge, sprawling market, easily detectable by its iconic dome architecture, was built by the French in 1937 and underwent a complete renovation from 2009 to 2011. Neat and organised, a large section is dedicated to jewellery, electronics, clothing as well as accessories like watches and bags, but it is the food hall that has people coming back for more. Lined with rows of stalls, each selling a different type of street food, you can munch while on the go. Choose from a variety of cooked food such as stir-fried noodles with beef and egg; a barbeque seafood feast including the best giant squids in town; and authentic Khmer snacks. Fried pigs’ ears, anyone?
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Torture rooms in the prison
Left: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Right: Torture rooms in the prison
14:00
VISIT TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM
Pay a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for an honest view of a sad, but significant chapter in Cambodian history. Chronicling events that took place during the Khmer Rouge regime, the site was a secondary school that was converted into a security prison and interrogation facility during that period. The buildings within Tuol Sleng have been well preserved, many rooms left in the exact state they were in when the site was abandoned in 1979. Join the guided tour or opt for an audio tour for greater insight as you explore the various buildings. Brace yourself as you enter rooms lined with black and white photographs of prisoners. Also on display, are paintings of torture at the prison by Vann Nath, a Tuol Sleng survivor. Watch documentaries about the Khmer Rouge for a deeper understanding of events during this era. Expect this to be a sombre experience, but it is a visit well worth your time especially if you are a history buff.
Mekong River
17:30
WIND DOWN WITH A SUNSET RIVER CRUISE
Experience the calm, laid-back lifestyle of Phnom Penh as you float gently down the Mekong River at dusk. Book yourself a sunset cruise and catch the last rays of the evening sun as you enjoy the stunning scenery. Enjoy the cool evening breeze in your face and watch the sun set over the Royal Palace. You will sail past floating villages, and popular landmarks like the Japanese Friendship Bridge, and Koh Pich Island. Each cruise comes with a tour guide who will talk you through the attractions and landmarks that you will see. You will also get to tuck into a sumptuous grilled feast and sip on refreshing drinks as you spend two and a half hours leisurely on the waters of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake
Enjoy an Espresso Martini at Bassac Lane
Wine and tapas
Left: Enjoy an Espresso Martini at Bassac Lane Right: Wine and tapas
21:00
BAR HOP AROUND BASSAC LANE
To immerse yourself in Phnom Penh’s buzzing nightlife, Bassac Lane is the place to be. Home to a slew of trendy micro-bars and restaurants that sit shoulder to shoulder, each hangout has its own theme and style. Perfect for a quiet drink and a chat, standout bars in this little stretch include Hangar 44, a chic, bike-themed bar that doubles up as a motorcycle showroom. It is also known to serve up a mean Espresso Martini. Red Bar, a watering hole for the creative types, is another top pick thanks to its unpretentious ambiance and cheap drinks. Meanwhile, the charming, French-run Chez Flo is perfect for wine and tapas lovers.
Explore the destination
PHNOM PENH
- 5
- 3
- 2
- 4
- 1
- 6
Shwedagon Pagoda
Kandawgyi Lake
Yangon Central Station
Button 4 Text
Button 5 Text
Illustrative guide is not drawn to scale
SILKAIR FLIES 21 TIMES WEEKLY TO PHNOM PENH. BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY NOW! 
1Wat Langka
Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12304, Cambodia
Daily 08:00 - 17:00
2ARoyal Palace
Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Daily 08:00 - 11:00; 14:00 - 17:00
2BSilver Pagoda
Oknha Chhun St. (240), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (located within the Royal Palace)
Daily 08:00 - 11:00; 14:00 - 17:00
3Central Market
Calmette St. (53), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Daily 07:00 - 18:00
4Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Street 113, Phnom Penh 12304, Cambodia
Daily 08:00 - 17:00
5River Cruise (Mekong River)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Operating hours vary across cruise operators.
6Bassac Lane
Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia
Daily 17:00 - 00:00
