Pros and cons of a visit to Phnom Penh: colonial buildings and Khmer relics, but crime and harrowing reminders of past

Known to Western travellers as the Pearl of Asia and the Paris of the East in the 1920s and 30s, Phnom Penh was famed for its grand boulevards and colonial architecture, charming riverside promenades and a cosmopolitan atmosphere reminiscent of the French capital.

The Cambodian city is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonlé Sap rivers and takes its name from the 14th century Phnom temple. Legend has it the first pagoda on the site was built to house four Buddha statues discovered by a woman named Penh. Perched on a small hill (or phnom), the temple provides a refuge from the bustle of the city.

After a tranquil timeout, head back to street level and make your way to the eye-catching Royal Palace.

In full: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3257807/pros-and-cons-visit-phnom-penh-colonial-buildings-and-khmer-relics-crime-and-harrowing-reminders