Phnom Penh Area Guide: Daun Penh – Home of History & Culture
Daun Penh is on the bank of Tonle Sap River, best known among retired and teenaged expats and tourists for its vibrant nightlife scene and riverside restaurants. Like BKK1 & Tonle Bassak, The District of Daun Penh has gone under rapid development in the past decade.
Map link of Daun Penh District: https://rb.gy/pd38t
A large portion of the development in this major district is for commercial use. New apartment buildings are being built, though. Many renovations also have been done to earlier home types to accommodate housing demand. There are many accommodations in the shop-house type from the Riverside neighborhood up to Norodom Blvd.
In the North-West section of the district, there are few villas available to cater to those in need of more space from Norodom Blvd. up to Monivong Blvd. Recently, a large number of villas have been converted into NGO offices, company headquarters, international schools, upscale restaurants, and coffee shops.
Housing Rental Market
Given the location, it is no wonder that the rental is higher than other sections of the capital. Being the center of the capital and touristic center resulted in convenience and accessibility – there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, bars, coffee shops, and supermarkets. All these factors and amenities impacted rental in the district.
For an apartment on the 1st or 2nd floor of a townhouse/ front shophouse, the price ranges from $400 – $1,200. Meanwhile, villas are more expensive, ranging from $3,000 – $5,000, depending on size and location. On the other hand, a unit in an apartment building or condominium ranges from as below:
Studio | $350 – $1,300 |
1 Bedroom | $450 – $1,800 |
2 Bedroom | $800 – $2,500 |
3 Bedroom | $1,200 – $3,000 |
Penthouse | $3,500 – $8,000 |
Noticeable buildings include 240 Residence, The Emerald Morokot, Maline, Flatiron, and The Sixties by Dara.
If you are looking for an apartment in Daun Penh, click here to view options in advance, or visit: https://camrealtyservice.com/property-city/daun-penh/
In terms of commercial properties, Daun Penh offers both retail spaces and office spaces. Outstanding grade-A quality office buildings include Sathapana Tower, EXCHANGE SQUARE, and Flatiron.
Livability
If you don’t mind the city noise and crowded places, Daun Penh is definitely a paradise for you. Some referred to Daun Penh as a place where the old meets the new.
The East section of the district showcases Cambodian architecture buildings, including the Royal Palace, National Museum, Royal University of Fine Arts, Cambodiana Hotel, Chaktomuk Conference Hall, and post-colonial townhouses. Meanwhile, the North-West section of the district demonstrates modern architecture.
During the daytime, there are plenty of places to explore, from coffee shops to restaurants, souvenir stores, art galleries, shopping centers, local markets, museums, and other touristic sites.
When the dark falls, Daun Penh becomes more exciting. It offers a vibrant nightlife scene with an abundance of pubs, bars, and restaurants serving affordable food and drinks. If you are looking for an upscale and elegant experience, Sora Skybar and Le Moon Rooftop are also there to serve.
Government Agencies
It is home to significant foreign diplomatic offices include Ambassade de France, Embassy of the United States of America, the Embassy of United Kingdoms, the Embassy of Singapore, and the Delegation of The European Union. The following selected Ministry offices are also situated in the district:
- Electricity of Cambodia
- General Department of Customs and Excise
- Ministry of Economy and Finance
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Public Works and Transport
- Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology
- Ministry of Youth and Sports
- Phnom Penh Autonomous Port
History of Daun Penh
According to the legend, the district is named after a Grandma (Khmer: ដូន = Daun) Penh, who founded Wat Phnom (Buddhist Temple) 600 years ago, after she found 5 Buddha statues in a trunk of Koki Tree, floated downstream in Tonle Sap river and bent to her house. The temple has gone through many renovations and remained a sacred place, symbolizing the capital of Cambodia.
In the early 1430s, after getting invaded by Siam (currently Thai), King Ponhea Yat commanded the relocation of the previous capital, Angkor Thom, to a safer location close to Wat Phnom. Between 1432 to 1505, Phnom Penh served as the country’s capital for 73 years.
Due to internal conflict among the royal pretenders, it was abandoned for 360 years (from 1505 to 1865) by succeeding rulers. Later kings relocated the capital a number of times. It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I (1860–1904), that Phnom Penh again became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia to the present.
Royal Palace
Daun Penh is home to the Royal Palace of Cambodia, which serves as the royal residence since the mid-1860s. Its full name is “Preah Baram Rajaveang Chaktomukh Serei Mangkul”. It occupies 174,870 sqm and was built atop a former fortress, called “Banteay Keo”, which faces East, at the western bank of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers.
It has 4 main compounds. The Silver Pagoda is in the South. Khemarin Palace is in the North. The Inner Court private sector is in the West. The Throne Hall is in the central compound.
It serves as one of the most tourist attractions in the capital. It is open for visits, from 09:00 am – 05:00 pm, with a strict dress code being enforced. Long trousers or below knee length shorts are required and the shoulders and arms shall be covered. The entrance fee cost $10 per person.
Useful Info at a Glance
Supermarket/ market
Name | Operation Hours | Address |
Central Market | 06:00 am – 06:00 pm | |
Eden Garden Mall | 24/7 | City Center Blvd. |
Khalande Mall | 09:00 am – 10pm | City Center Blvd. |
Sorya Shopping Center | 09:00 am – 09:00 pm | #13-61, Street 63 |
Phsar Kandal | 06:00 am – 06:00 pm | Street 13 |
Lucky Express Super Market | 07:30 am – 10:00 pm | Street 144 |
7-Eleven (3 branches) | 24/7 | Sisowath Quay, Riverside Street 13, corner Street 136 Street 53 (next to Central Market) |
International School
Name | Operation Hours | Address |
Australian Centre for Education (ACE) | 07:30 am – 07:30 pm (weekdays)/ 07:30 am – 05:30 pm (weekends) | #46, Street 214 |
CamEd Business School | 08:00 am – 08:00 pm | #64, Street 108 (next to Norodom Blvd.) |
Golden Gate American School (campus 1) | 07:00 am – 05: 00 pm (weekdays)/ 08:00 am – 05:00 pm (Sat) | #15, Street 178 |
IDP Education (Cambodia) – Samdech Pan | 07:00 am – 06:30 pm (Mon-Sat) | #46, Street 214 |
Institut français du Cambodge (IFC) | 08:00 am – 06:30 pm (weekdays)/ 08:00 – 05:00 pm (Sat) | #218, Street 184 |
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm (weekdays) | Street 96 (next to Vattanac Capital) |
- These are just selected options.
Hospital/ Clinic
Name | Operation Hours | Address |
Calmette Hospital | 24/7 | #34, Street 93 |
Kantha Bopha IV Children’s Hospital | Street 90, corner Street 47 | |
JAPAN AND KHMER HOSPITAL | #31A, Street 47 | |
Roomchang Dental Hospital | 08:00 am – 05:30 pm (Mon-Sat) | #4, Street 184 |
Raffles Medical Phnom Penh | 24/7 | Rue Pasteur (51), corner Street 228 |
- These are just selected options.
Click on the link for another area guide: Phnom Penh Area Guide: Tonle Bassak – The Embassy Hub
Looking for a residence, office space, or commercial venue in Daun Penh? Contact us via social media platforms on the left-hand corner and send your requirements to us.