Sisowath Quay

Sometimes there are certain spots in a city that sum it up in a nutshell. The Riverside –or Sisowath Quay—is that place for Phnom Penh. The riverside is essentially the road that runs down the side of the city centre and along the edge of the Tonle Sap River. Lined with restaurants, bars, travel agents and massage parlours, the strip comes alive as the hot sun begins to settle and locals and visitors alike sit back and enjoy a cold beer. The special part of the riverside is the communal space directly against the edge of the river. Propped high above the water, the area runs from Wat Phnom all the way down past the Royal Palace to the Cambodiana Hotel. Near the tip of the Riverside, the Night Market comes alive at sundown to with a range of clothing and gift stalls. Dotted along the strip are manicured grassy patches where families gather to enjoy the cool afternoons, eating and drinking from the local vendors. There are also plenty of concrete spaces available for group soccer matches, rollerblading, riding bikes, and best of all, public aerobics. Aerobics attracts a group of middle-aged women that bust out their moves to thumping techno supplied by their trusty instructor. Viewers are welcome and anyone can join in for a 2000 riel donation (50 cents). The river side provide a space for people from all walks of life to mingle, enjoy the cool of the afternoon and stretch their legs in a usually cramped and hectic city.