Tonle Sap Riverfront, Phnom Penh

Tonle Sap Riverfront is one of the prettiest areas in Phnom Penh. Highly popular with tourists and locals, the paved and well lit areas around Sisowath Quay, from St 104 to St 178, are the sites for many of the city’s popular restaurant and bars. Swanky hotels such as the Amanjaya, the FCC and the Quay are found here and the area is alive well into the night.

However, this is also the place to catch a magnificent sunrise, at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, right in front of the Royal Palace. Breakfast can be found at the riverfront hotels or internet cafes and many of the city’s major attractions – the Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Ounalom - are just a stone’s throw away.

East And West Banks

Cambodians gather at the Riverfront to watch displays of fireworks during national celebrations. However, it is the epicenter of activity for millions of Cambodians during Bon Om Tuk or the Water Festival. For three days, Cambodian crowd the banks to encourage their favorite rowers. In between races, they picnic, shop at the street fairs or dance to live music at the parks.

While every tourist knows Sisowath Quay, the locals are flocking to the east bank which is enjoying a restaurant boom. With the reconstruction of the Japanese Friendship Bridge, dozens of restaurants have blossomed along the highway. Cambodians pack these places on weekends, be they downmarket or over-the-top restaurants, and menus can have as many as 300 items on the list.

Boat Services

The express boats leave from the Tonle Sap Riverfront docks on Sisowath Quay. Several companies operate out of these docks, with services starting as early as 7am. The boats from Chau Doc in Vietnam also dock here, making it very convenient for those with reservations at hotels along the riverfront. The sunset cruises on the Mekong sail out from this terminal.