Things to do in Ponhea Leu

No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Cambodia

Tonle Sap River

Located in the heart of Cambodia, the Tonle Sap River meets the Mekong River and is the passage between the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River. At the same time, it is also the fourth largest source of freshwater fish in the world. There are more than 150 kinds of fish in the river, and the freshwater resources are very rich. The main reason for the abundance of freshwater resources is due to the unique phenomenon that the Tonle Sap River can "reverse the flow". In the rainy season from June to September every year, due to the melting of snow in the Himalayas, the water level of the Mekong River suddenly increases, causing water to flow into the Tonle Sap River from the Mekong River, reversing the flow of the Tonle Sap River; from October to May the following year , the river flows back to the Mekong River. Around the Tonle Sap River, there are famous scenic spots such as the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh and the National Museum. The scenery is beautiful, and it is very pleasant to walk or rest by the river. There are also various cafes, restaurants and bars on the banks of the river and north of the Royal Palace, where you can immerse yourself in a romantic colonial-style restaurant and enjoy a delicious Western-style meal. An exotic place to go.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Cambodia

Royal Palace of Cambodia

The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh, also known as Preah Barom Reachea Vaeng Chaktomuk, is named after the intersection of the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap River and the Bassac River. This is the palace of the King of Cambodia. It is composed of a group of golden roofs and yellow walls. It consists of many large and small palaces such as Chaya Hall, Golden Temple and Silver Temple. It is exquisitely shaped and magnificent, full of traditional Khmer architecture and religious tone. On the cloister of the building is a magnificent relief mural depicting Angkor Wat, depicting the achievements and religious stories of the dynasties. Local residents and monks alike enjoy keeping cool on the spacious lawn in front of the palace, it's extremely lively.

Phnom Phreah Reach Throap/ Phnom Oudong/Cambodia

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Cambodia

Phnom Penh Night Market

Phnom Penh Night Market is located along the Tonle Sap River and primarily sells daily necessities and souvenirs. It is popular with locals and is a great place to spend an evening. The night market was converted from a street garden. The original grass was replaced with a concrete paved floor, covering an area of approx. 4,000–5,000 m², and it is surrounded by iron pipe railings. Two entrances have been opened along the street side, one for entry and one for exit, making the flow of people quite orderly. Inside, there are multiple rows of uniform-sized colorful stalls, offering a wide variety of goods. These include clothing, shoes, hats, flowers, food, jewelry, cosmetics, and daily necessities, as well as numerous handicrafts such as stone carvings, bamboo and wood products, and Khmer-style Buddha ornaments, making for a dazzling array of items. It may be more popular with locals than with foreigners. Foreign tourists should remember to bargain hard when shopping here, as prices are often marked up.

Phnom Penh Safari

Garden City Water Park

Garden City Water Park is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is a large comprehensive water park themed around water entertainment and family leisure. Covering approximately 7 hectares, the park opened in 2016 and is dedicated to providing leisure and entertainment experiences for visitors of all ages. It has now become one of Phnom Penh's representative water recreation venues. The park features a variety of water facilities, including a large wave pool, a lazy river, children's splash areas, and various thrilling water slides, catering to different needs from relaxation to adventure. Some of the slides were designed and built by internationally renowned water facility suppliers, offering visitors a rich experience. In addition to water attractions, Garden City Water Park also provides rest areas, dining facilities, and family-friendly interactive spaces, making it suitable for family outings, gatherings with friends, and group activities. With its diverse entertainment facilities and comfortable environment, the park allows visitors to enjoy a cool and refreshing time in hot weather.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Cambodia

Phnom Penh City Tour Bus

Hop on the Phnom Penh sightseeing bus to comfortably and stylishly explore the beauty of Phnom Penh, enjoying sightseeing, history, culture, and fun! Join us for an unforgettable urban adventure.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Cambodia

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is located in the southern part of Phnom Penh, at the intersection of Street 113 and Street 350. It once imprisoned over 17,000 intellectuals, civilians, women, and children. It is now open to the public as a museum, displaying various torture instruments, photographs, and historical documents that are harrowing, silently recounting that horrific history. Additionally, documentaries are screened daily, primarily telling the true story of a young couple who were forced apart and persecuted by the Khmer Rouge during that time.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Built in the early 12th century as the state temple and mausoleum for Khmer King Suryavarman II, it took over 30 years to complete. While earlier Angkor kings primarily worshipped Shiva, this temple was dedicated to Vishnu. Later, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist monastery and remains one of the few Angkor monuments where religious functions continue today, with monks still visiting. The entire complex is modeled after Mount Meru from Hindu mythology, featuring a wide moat and outer walls enclosing three elevated concentric galleries, with five central towers arranged in a quincunx pattern—the silhouette depicted on Cambodia's national flag. Unlike most temples in Angkor, Angkor Wat faces west, creating its iconic sunrise scene: at dawn, standing by the pond in front of the west gate, visitors watch the sun rise behind the five towers, their reflections mirrored on the water. The outer gallery walls are adorned with extensive bas-reliefs, including the awe-inspiring Churning of the Ocean of Milk depicting gods and asuras pulling a giant serpent. Scattered across the walls are over a thousand apsara carvings, each with unique hairstyles, attire, and dance poses worth examining closely. Enter through the west gate via the causeway and follow the central axis inward—this layered progression offers deeper immersion than a hurried visit. Arrive early to secure a prime sunrise photography spot by the pond. Note that temple steps are steep, some with narrow risers, so wear comfortable, slip-resistant shoes. As a religious site, visitors must cover shoulders and knees and avoid climbing or leaning on carvings. △ Experience the true stories and mysterious legends of Angkor Wat, with every spot being a great photo opportunity. △ Today, Angkor Wat remains mysterious and magnificent, attracting thousands of travelers from around the world.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Cambodia

Angkor Archaeological Park

Angkor Archaeological Park is a vast complex of structures left by the Khmer Empire, scattered across the jungles and fields north of Siem Reap. It covers a vast area, encompassing dozens of temple ruins and ancient city remains. The core of the park consists of two main parts: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved structure in the entire site, originally a Hindu temple that later incorporated Buddhist beliefs. Five towers rise above layers of galleries, the inner walls of which are covered in bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu epics and the history of the Khmer dynasty, featuring extensive narratives and numerous figures. The silhouette of this building is also used as the design on the flag of Cambodia. Angkor Thom is the site of the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. The stone bridges outside the city gates are lined with statues of devas and asuras churning the Ocean of Milk. Bayon Temple at the center of the city is famous for its dozens of towers with four-faced Buddhas, each face carved with a serene, smiling expression, known as the "Smile of Khmer." Ta Prohm is renowned for its unique view of giant tree roots intertwined with stone structures.