Wat Phnom, at the north end of the city, lies at the historical centre of Phnom Penh. Legend holds that in 1343, long before Phnom Penh was the capital or even a city, A stately old woman named Lady Penh founded the wat on the only hill (Phnom) in the area. The city later drew its name from the hill and the founder of the wat that crests it. Nowadays, the area around Wat Phnom sports several upscale hotels as well as some fine French colonial architecture along Street 92. Also of note in the area are clusters of plant nurseries along Street 90 and the Siem Reap ferry port north of the Cambodian- Japanese Friendship Bridge.

Phnom Penh Area Maps