Phnom Penh

Fun Facts about Phnom Penh and Cambodia

• Phnom Penh was originally called Krong Chaktomuk, meaning "City of Four Faces", because the region where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers cross, forms an ‘X’

• The word “Phnom” in Khmer means “hill”.

• The Killing Fields of Choeuong Ek can be found in Phnom Penh.  It is estimated that about 17,000 people were killed here.  And over 8,000 skulls are on display at the Memorial Stupa

• During a traditional Cambodian wedding, the bride and groom are tied to each other using a red thread tied at the wrists. Red is an auspicious colour.

• Cambodia was once under French rule and achieved independence in 1953, 9th November.

• The name of the biggest lake in Cambodia is the Tonle Sap.  Every November, the Tonle Sap River changes its direction.