The Royal Palace, located on the riverside, is the official residence of the Cambodian King and his family. Here you will visit a range of ornate and colourful buildings with golden roofs and towering spires, that are a great examples of classic Khmer architecture. Our tour includes the Throne Hall, Napoleon III Pavilion, and the Silver Pagoda with its silver tiled floor and amazing artifacts. A visit to the Palace provides an interesting insight to Cambodia’s regal past and the richness of Khmer artistry and craftsmanship.
The impressive, Angkorian styled, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia's 1953 independence from its colonial past under the governance of France. Located on a large roundabout, at the intersection of two major boulevards, it is in the very heart of the city. The Monument provides a notable landmark, reference point, and is the center of activity during many national celebrations.
Tuol Sleng, is a museum recording the Cambodian genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979 . The museum is the site of a former secondary school which was used as Security Prison 21 (S21) by the Khmer Rouge. A visit to this museum, and the closely associated Killing Fields, is essential to gaining understanding into the heartbreaking and tragic events that have shaped modern day Cambodian society. Toul Sleng was a place of detention, interrogation and torture, and its preservation maintains evidence of that recent and tragic period in Cambodia’s history. Visiting the museum serves to encourage visitors from around the world to promote peace.
The Killing Fields are sites around Cambodia where altogether about 1.3 million people were killed and buried by the then government under the leadership of the Khmer Rouge and Prime Minister Pol Pot. These terrible crimes against humanity are known as the Cambodian genocide. Most famous of these is Choeung Ek, a former orchard about 15 km from Phnom Penh, and now preserved as a museum for visitors to know and understand what happened during that tragic time. Choeung Ek was closely associated with the Tuol Sleng detention centre.
Central Market (Phsar Thmei) is a prominent art deco building in the shape of a cross with a spectacular central dome. The four wings of the cross are filled with stalls selling gold and silver jewellery, antique coins, fake name-brand watches and souvenirs. There are hardware stalls, a wet market, clothing and household items, food outlets…a huge range of products for sale. This is a popular place for tourists to browse, find a bargain or buy gifts and memorabilia to take home.
Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple built on a tree-covered, man-made hill on the North side of the city. This is an historic and cultural landmark, and a place of tranquillity in the bustling city. The main stupa sits spectacularly atop the hill and enshrines the ashes of King Ponhea Yat who in 1434, arrived and built the city of Phnom Penh. Wat Phnom has become a central attraction in the city for both Khmer and overseas visitors and is a ‘must visit’ when in Phnom Penh.
Sam is one the nicest people you will ever meet. His personality, experience, knowledge and the way he organises the day ensures a perfect experience. Sam was moved as we were moved by the plight of the Cambodian people. This experience is one that will stay with you long after the tour ends.
Sam was very knowledgable and his attention to detail was great. Sam made our experience very good
Sam absolutely made our visit unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the history, which really brought what we were seeing at the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh and at S21 Prison to life. Walking with him, we never felt rushed or confused—he explained the context in a way that was thoughtful, respectful, and easy to follow. His ability to share details and connect what happened there to the wider story of Cambodia made the experience much more meaningful. At every stop, he answered questions with care and sensitivity, and you could tell he wanted us to understand the reality of what these places represent—not just the facts, but the human impact behind them. We’re truly grateful we had Sam as our guide. If you’re visiting the Killing Fields and S21, we’d strongly recommend him for anyone who wants a respectful, informed, and genuinely impactful tour.
Sam is an excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable and able to explain all the history in a way that was easy to understand. Highly recommend this tour!
This was such an eye-opening tour with Sam as our expert guide. We knew that the killing fields and S21 would be heavy and important to witness. And Sam made it an experience where we were soaking in and learning the history, rather than worrying about other things like logistics. Everything from pick-up, a needed break to exhale and eat lunch, and comfortable/reliable transport - Sam managed it like a pro. He was so knowledgeable and infused lightness at just the right times. Just a wonderful guide.
Sam provided our group with a fantastic tour of Killing Fields and S-21 based on our personal preferences. We also incorporated a short city sights tour. Sam is very knowledgeable about the Cambodian history and shared his own family history during the horrendous Pol Pot era. We learnt a lot about the terrible events and appreciated the amazing resilience and forgiveness of the people of Cambodia. Sam also knows all the best spots for coffee and lunch in the city - Wild Restaurant was delicious and Browns Coffee in the Vann Molyvann house was really worth seeing. Thank you Sam
We are so happy to have chosen Sam as our guide for a full day tour of the Killing Fields and S21 with a welcomed pause for lunch in between. I knew right away that Sam would be a great guide when planning our trip with him. He took my initial ideas and customized our tour from there, offering up suggestions to improve the flow and experience. Pick up was prompt, and he immediately worked with our driver to source a different vehicle when the air conditioning broke down so that we would be comfortable throughout the day. You know you have a great guy when they confidently solve issues on-the-fly. Sam provided great narration and information at both sites based on his knowledge and his family’s own experience which provided a personal perspective to the horrors of that time.
Sam provided an excellent tour of Phnom Penh's main attractions. He was professional. enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Fantastic tour. Guide spoke fluent English and explained the history of Cambodia clearly. Visited city highlights and overall a 150/100% guide and tour. Thankyou.
Excellent tour visiting all main sites in Phnom Penh. Sam our guide was very informative and we enjoyed hearing about the history of Cambodia at the respective sites. Certainly would recommend
When I booked my trip to Cambodia, I spent most of my time in Siem Reap (definitely DO reccomend) and had Phnom Penh as my last stop before returning to the USA. I booked this tour to see the capitol before going back to my country. I think Sam is one of the best tour guides I have had around the Earth, and I want you to know why. Sam is a former teacher in Cambodia and has spent his life promoting education, peace, and human rights around the world. He taught PE and English, and worked with kids with special needs. On tours with him, he brings all of his professional experience of being extremely well prepared, great communication, and knowledgeable to help others see the beauty of his country, like any good teacher would for their class. He wants you to have a good experience, feel extremely welcome, and see the beauty of his country. When I was hot, tired, and had a bit of a stomachache, Sam made it a top priority to make sure I was okay. (I did recover!) If you want to truly know Cambodia, go with Sam. His generosity, kindness, and knowledge are unmatched. On this tour, you go to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda which were extremely beautiful. Make sure to bring about $22 to pay for all the entrance fees for the entire tour. You can give it to Sam and he will take care of it. I did, and it was incredibly smooth and easy. You will also go to the Independence Memorials and market to get any trinkets from Cambodia you want. Having Sam as a guide really touched my heart. Sam's family was directly impacted by the Khmer Rouge genocide, and he is so thoughtful and passionate to promote peace and understanding. He will share with you the history of any detail of the event, including his family's story, and encourages questions for education and to protect future generations. When I went to the Killing Fields and S21 with him, it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. You also have the opportunity to talk to survivors (there are VERY FEW) at the sites and purchase their books which account for Pol Pot's regime. You cannot buy them on Amazon. They are $10 each, and there are four main survivors there still alive, so make sure you have cash to give them if you are interested. They will also sign them for you, take a picture if you would like, and answer any questions. I only knew general information, but if you had anything you wanted to know, you can ask them, and Sam will introduce you and show you where they were tortured and imprisoned. I have met Holocaust survivors before, and it was very similar: extremely positive but moving experience. Sam guides to not only provide a quality experience for international visitors, but to make a difference in the world of tomorrow so that genocide truly is a thing of the past. It is incredible, and I am so grateful for him. Sam will also take you to local restaurants that are very good and to temple that explains the name Phnom Penh. Anything you want to know, Sam can help you. He even showed me the North Korean embassy and a casino just for fun! He is a true local and this tour benefits local Cambodians. He takes great pictures too, which you can see in the review! It is a great way to learn more about the city and country as a whole, and I think it is a tour that you must do to truly experience Cambodia.
Sam was an excellent guide for our visit to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and S-21 prison in Phnom Penh. His English was clear and he was extremely knowledgeable, helping us understand the history of Cambodia in a meaningful way. Overall a great experience. highly recommend Mr Sam Ang.
Sam was an excellent tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, sharing great details throughout the tour, and his friendly, approachable personality made the whole experience even better. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, and we left feeling like we’d genuinely learned something. Highly recommend booking a tour with Sam!
He was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the places, explained everything clearly, and was incredibly helpful. At the same time, if you had any questions, he was ready to answer you immediately. I had a lot of fun with him. If you're planning a trip to Phnom Penh, I highly recommend this tour guide.
I booked a private tour, and everything was effortless. Sam and the driver were early/on time, and all costs were clearly stated up front. I had good communication beforehand via WhatsApp, and everything on the tour could be customized (e.g., due to hot temperatures, I asked to skip a site and go someplace else instead). Honestly, though, what made the tour the most special was chatting with Sam, who worked as a learning specialist prior to becoming a tour guide and is obviously from Cambodia. I can go and see sites myself, read books by myself, etc., but booking tours allows for interactions and learning I would not otherwise have. I highly recommend - and fun fact: as a parent of two, Sam knows just about every possible kid-oriented place/activity, including playgrounds by feature and ranking, around!
Sam Ang was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was able to show us everything and allow us to return to the ship on time. I would highly recommend him.
Sam was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about Cambodian history. He also had insight into the reign of the Khmer Rouge as his family was personally affected. It was a great day going to the historical sites and Pagodas. He can be found on facebook with Kesar-Kesor Khmer tours. Sam-Ang Eng.
Had an amazing tour. Sam was very knowledgable and I learnt so much about the history of Cambodia. Visiting the killing fields and the prison, and learning about the historically recent genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge is a very emotional part of the tour. However, I think it’s something we all should learn about. It’s very humbling. Also, I urge everybody to purchase a book or 2 from the people that are selling them at the killing fields and the prison. Still alive, and sitting in the very spot where they endured so much pain, so they can sell their story and perhaps make a few dollars in the process. I was on my own with Sam and a driver. Sam knew exactly what time to be where, and how to navigate the whole experience while avoiding all the crowds. I 100% recommend this tour. Tku Sam for an amazing day.
It was a wonderful day. There was a lot to cover but Sam was the perfect guide who made the day flow comfortably. The day was a mixture of wonderful sights and interesting history around the Palace and Temples, alongside the challenging and horrific story of the 1970's. Sam dealt with everything in a most appropriate way and provided us with a memorable day, assisted by his very professional driver Michael. We would be pleased to recommend their services to anyone who would like to understand the history of Cambodia and specifically it's capital Phnom Penh. Thank you Sam.
The full day Phnom Penh City Tour was a great experience. Our guide Sam was fantastic and very knowledgeable. We had a great experience during the tour and especially visiting the Palace and Genocide Museum and Centre. I would recommend the tour to anyone visiting the city for a day as it covers all the major sites with Sam providing his knowledgeable perspective of the city. His assistant Michael was great too, and both are great.
We had a great full day city tour of Phnom Penh. Our Guide Sam Ang was very knowledgeable, informative and courteous. He has vast knowledge of Cambodian history which he explained very well during our full day city tour. His assistant Michael was also great. I would recommend the full day city tour and Sam as a guide
What a super relaxed, friendly, adaptable & knowledgeable tour guide Sam is. He deals extremely well with the horror of the killing fields and the genocide museum and also the wonderful Palaces. Lots of photographic memories will be made you can rest assured.
Sam was a great guide showing us the sights and explaining about the history of Phnom Penh and Cambodia. If you have one day in the city it will not be wasted with Sam .
Sam is very friendly guy with a lot of expertise in culture & history. Furthermore he and his driver Michael - also a nice guy - have excellent planning skills
Mr Sam is absolutely amazing. He’ll take you to everything you want to see, and at the right times to avoid crowds. His service is excellent and he’s very knowledgeable. We also loved his sense of humor and his introduction to many aspects of Cambodian culture and daily life. He can also help you to organise rides (airport, Siem Reap etc) and other things. Getting in touch with him is the best choice you can make. Thanks mr Sam, for everything!
This was a wonderful introduction to the city of Phnom Penh. Sam guided us expertly around the busy streets in air conditioned comfort of his car. His commentary revealed a depth of knowledge about city highlights including the Royal Palace, Independence Monument, Fine Arts Museum, Phnom Wat and Genocide Museum. Lunch was a delicious opportunity to taste genuine Khmer food in the middle of the day. Thanks Sam!
My wife and I highly recommend this tour of Phnom Penh. We took it as a shore excursion from Sihanoukville, and found it to be captivating and moving. Our guide, Sam, an ex-educator, provided a capsule of Cambodian history, culture and daily life. We came away with a much greater appreciation of the Khmer people and their wonderful spirit. We glimpsed the majesty of the Royal Palace, and temples, the bustle ot the streets and markets, and the horror and devastation of the Khmer Rouge regime. All in all it was a most beautiful and moving day. A must do!
Great experiences, knowledgeable about PP and people there! Super passionate too and good sense of humour. Sam knows exactly where to go on your wishes; and has a great personality.
Sam was very knowledgeable about his country and the tour .He gave us so many amazing facts and could answer any questions we had. His explanations of the tour would make you feel the events that took place.
I had a wonderful experience with Sam. 2 days of touring Phnom Penh. His descriptions were wonderfully detailed. A very powerful and personal touch: he shared some of the experiences that he had as well as his family during the '70s. Very powerful. I'm also grateful that Sam went above and beyond by helping me when I suddenly got ill right before facing two long flights back to the United States. He dropped everything in order to get some medication for me and deliver it to me as I was going to the airport. Highly recommend it!
This was a great way to see the city and learn a lot about Cambodia’s history and culture. My guide Sam was great. He’s very knowledgeable, well organized, and a lot of fun. I highly recommend Sam and his tour! You won’t be disappointed.
We were really happy with our guide Sam Ang. He has a vast knowledge and he loves sharing it with visitors. The program was well structured and it allowed us to learn a lot about the capital of Cambodia and it's history. The lunch was delicious and the amount of food was nearly overwhelming. We enjoyed it a lot and can sincerely recommend it to anyone who comes to Cambodia.
This is the second tour I have taken with Mr. Sam. He speaks perfect English and is a very gracious tour guide. He has a lot of knowledge about the sites as well as fun facts on the tour. Would recommend him highly.
If you want to tour Phnom Penh look no further than Kesar Kesor Khmer Tours! We highly recommend Sam Ang as your guide.He is warm,professional, well informed in Cambodian history with excellent command of the English language. We spent 2 days with Sam visiting the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom on day 1 and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum on day 2. An excellent experience for sure!
Sam’s pre-tour communication was excellent via WhatsApp. Good command of the English language with great depth and breath of knowledge. He’s proud of his Kmer heritage, sad about the Khmer Rouge chapter but eager to impart and share with us. Smart and funny at the same time! We had some physical mobility issues which he was able to happily pivot the itinerary. The key is having a separate driver from the Tour Guide who’s able to drop you off right in front of each destination without having to park! We enjoyed ourselves very much. PS: Sam, don’t forget to put in a good word about our daughter with King Norodam! 😉
We booked a City tour for our family of 4, including two small children (ages 6 and 8). This was our second tour with him as we loved the first experience (evening tour). As we did not want to visit the killing fields or museums related to the genocide with our children, Sam agreed to combine the City Tour (without these stops) with his Food and Art Tour. This way we had best of worlds! Sam completely tailored and optimized the tour, and we had a great day. We had 2 private tuk tuk for the day, which was very convenient. From the hotel pickup to drop off, we felt that all our needs were taken into account, all our questions on Cambodia, Phnom Penh and our visits were answered with a very good level of knowledge. Sam is a very professional guide. We loved his selection of street food, morning breakfast, and Art. Make sure to book a tour with him if you are in Phnom Penh!
A true gem. No need to look for any other tour guide. Sam Ang is a kind, charming and deeply knowledgeable man whose love for the history of Cambodia is fantastic. From the moment he confirmed my reservation of the tour, I knew I would now have a local friend and great resource for the future. He was a huge help helping me line up transportation from the airport (my flight arrived past midnight and, given that I was traveling alone and had a lot of heavy luggage filled with books and other gifts I was bringing to the Cambodian Children’s Fund school) it was a great relief knowing somebody would be meeting me at the airport. The day of the tour he was punctual and very professional. In one single day I got a great introduction to Phnom Pehn. His tour hit all the highlights: art, history, the bustling market and Buddhist sites. He even treated me to coffee at a local place. I truly felt like I was visiting this city with a friend. If he is available during your visit - he’s the one.
Great tour! We visited all important places, had a great lunch and coffee! Our tour Sam was so nice and informative. I would recommend this agency to everyone visiting Phnom Penh!
Sam Ang is an excellent guide. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Driver was also wonderful. Would highly recommend this tour and Sam Amg (and driver) if it’s possible to request them.
Thanks a lot to Sam today for his knowledge on almost everything related to Cambodia. This tour might be a bit quick but it allows you to see most of what need to be seen in Phnom Penh so I highly recommend it. He know where to go and when to avoid the crowd.
Mr. Sam Ang is very pleasant and knowledgeable. His tour taught us a lot about the history of Cambodia. I highly recommend him!
Sam Ang, a former school teacher, was an excellent guide. (Our driver was great too but Mr Sam really made the day memorable) We started at the Killing Fields. Mr Sam was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information with us, both before we arrived and once at the site. We then went to the Genocide Museum and again Mr Sam ensured we had a personalised experience. He took care to explain the exhibits to us. His English is excellent. We then went to the bustling central market and to the Imperial Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Mr Sam was very knowledgeable both about the buildings but also about Khmer culture, history and religion. After lunch we visited the Independence gardens and two more religious sites- Wat Phnom and Wat Ounaloom. At all times Mr Sam and his driver ensured our comfort and helped us process and understand the sites we were visiting. The pace and timing of each visit was just right and after the thought provoking experience of the Killing Fields it was lovely to experience the peace, beauty and tranquility of the Imperial Palace and the religious sites. All in all a great day tour which I would highly recommend.
Mr Sam is an excellent guide. His English is very good. Mr Sam has a tremendous knowledge about Cambodia's history and shared his hopes for its future. Mr Sam rescheduled some parts of our tour. We were still able to see everything but avoided the crowds. The Killing Fields sites are harrowing but are an intrinsic part of the tour. I highly recommend both Mr Sam and the tour.
Mr. Sam Ang is an excellent guide. Our city tour included all of the highlights and Mr Sam Ang explained the historical and cultural importance of each as well as providing his personal experiences of living under the Khmer Rouge regime. His love of Cambodia and vision for it's future is incorporated into the tour and gave greater meaning to what we saw. I highly recommend doing a tour with him.
We had an wonderful day with Mr Sam from Kesar-Kesor Khmer Tours. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, and makes the history of Phnom Penh come alive with personal stories and local insights. The tour was well-paced, comfortable, and flexible in his itinerary. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper look at Cambodia!
Mr Sam Ang was my guide. Very professional, informative and joyful tour. All of the key highlights of the city and more was covered.
Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and informative. Had a good sense of humour too. Excellent English. Thank you for showing us around.
Tour guide has great English, extensive and interesting knowledge of history, friendly and easy to talk to. Overall amazing experience
Samang is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, informative and ensures the clients have the best experience. We had the best time exploring markets, experiencing the true culture and finished with a beautiful and river cruise. I highly recommend him if you want a customised, boutique experience.
Sam was extremely knowledgeable about everything we experienced, and had amazing English. He was organised and on time, and we had some great chats with him in our tuk tuk
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