Backpacking Southern Cambodia 30/41: The Abandoned City of Sihanoukville EP2 - 1 Hour Walking Exploration

Backpacking Southern Cambodia 30/41: The Abandoned City of Sihanoukville EP2 - 1 Hour Walking Exploration

Hello, I am mr.hotsia, back with a short documentary from my trip in Cambodia. This time, I would like to take you all to explore Sihanoukville, or as locals call it “Kampong Som,” a seaside resort town that many may see as quiet, but actually hides many charms and interesting stories, especially during the one hour I spent walking around the city center this time.

Before I tell you about my walk, let me briefly introduce how to get here. For Thai travelers interested in visiting Sihanoukville, you can travel from Trat province through the Ban Hat Lek checkpoint in Khlong Yai district, which is a permanent border crossing convenient for both Thais and foreigners. On the opposite side is Koh Kong province, and from there it’s easy to continue by car to Sihanoukville.Read detailed travel information from Trat to SihanoukvilleI have always used this route because it is convenient and allows me to see the changes in Cambodia along the way.

Walking in the quiet, abandoned city of Sihanoukville

This time I stayed in the Sihanoukville city center zone, which, although not beachfront, is just a short walk to beautiful beaches. The reason I chose this area is because it is close to the central market, restaurants, and the authentic community atmosphere of the local people here. My one-hour exploration started from the main road cutting through the city center. I saw some old abandoned buildings, some still operating, but there were not many local or foreign tourists around.

Sihanoukville, in my current impression, feels like an abandoned city hiding peacefulness. It’s not a bustling city like Pattaya, but a quietness that makes me truly feel the sincerity of the town and its people. Walking along, passing a modest fresh market, most vendors still display fresh fruits and seafood on their heads, just like I have seen in many other Cambodian coastal towns.

Life scenes and fresh market in Sihanoukville

The fresh market here is one of my favorite places to walk because it clearly reveals the lifestyle of Sihanoukville’s people. In the morning, I visited the night market and the nearby morning market, seeing vendors carrying fresh fruits and seafood on their heads, school children passing by with teachers watching over them. It’s a simple, homey atmosphere that is hard to find in big cities.

Besides the fresh market, there is also a dry market selling clothes and essential goods. I recommend taking a walk there to truly experience the local way of life.Read stories about Sihanoukville marketsTo better understand the community and culture here

Local foods you shouldn’t miss

After exploring the market, I didn’t miss trying the local breakfast at a shop beside the market. Grilled pork rice topped with the aroma of charcoal-grilled pork and crispy fried duck egg is a dish locals love here, and I liked it very much too because of its rich and fresh flavor.

There is also chicken rice porridge sold in front of the hotel where I stayed, a night market restaurant open from morning till late. This dish is popular among locals and foreign tourists visiting.Read more about food and restaurants in SihanoukvilleTo prepare yourself before tasting it in person

Accommodation in town and convenience

For those planning to fully experience Sihanoukville, I recommend staying in the area where I stayed. Besides being close to the market and restaurants, it’s also easy to get to the beach. City hotels are affordable and comfortable, such as the Sihanoukville Timeshare Hotel where I stayed, which has WIFI and cool air conditioning. Although there were occasional power outages, it was still okay for resting.Read hotel and accommodation information in SihanoukvilleThat I have compiled to help make your planning easier

Summary of impressions from 1 hour in Sihanoukville

Although it was a short time, this walk through the abandoned city of Sihanoukville showed me the completeness of a seaside town that still retains its true character. The lifestyle of the locals remains simple and charming. The fresh market, night market, and local eateries are the heart of this town. This is not just a beautiful seaside city but a city of sincerity waiting for travelers like me and you to discover.

If you want to experience Sihanoukville as I did, I recommend watchingThe 1-hour walking exploration clip in Sihanoukville EP2Along with revisiting EP1 to get an overview before actually walking here

Finally, I, mr.hotsia, would like to say that travel is not only about beautiful destinations, but sometimes “slow exploration” is what lets you truly get to know a city. And Sihanoukville is a city perfect for that kind of slow, thoughtful exploration.