Abandoned Buildings in Sihanoukville (Preah Sihanouk), Cambodia

Abandoned Buildings in Sihanoukville: Experience the Hidden Tranquility in this Cambodian Coastal City

When talking about Sihanoukville (Preah Sihanouk), many people think of Cambodia's beautiful beaches, clear sea waters, and a relaxed atmosphere similar to Pattaya but still maintaining the tranquility and natural charm of another coastal city in Cambodia. However, for me, mr.hotsia, exploring the abandoned buildings in Sihanoukville offers an exciting and unique perspective.

My journey to Sihanoukville began by crossing the Ban Hat Lek checkpoint in Trat Province, which was very convenient and fast (read more inTravel from Trat to Sihanoukville). I took a bus from Bangkok to Trat, stayed overnight, then continued to Sihanoukville by an air-conditioned bus from Cherdchai Tour. The bus was quite comfortable, and it took about 4 hours to reach this coastal city.

Abandoned Buildings: The Mysterious Charm in Sihanoukville

The first feeling I had when encountering the abandoned buildings in Sihanoukville was a sense of calmness mixed with a slightly eerie atmosphere. These abandoned buildings are usually located in the city center or near the beach but have been deserted for a long time. Some are overgrown with trees and plants, almost blending into nature. I explored small alleys with few passersby and found that these buildings were once hotels or commercial buildings that flourished in the past but are now quietly abandoned, accompanied only by the sound of sea waves and birdsong.

These abandoned buildings not only reflect the city's economy and history but also tell the story of Sihanoukville's changes. The tranquility here made me feel like I was traveling back in time, witnessing the city's transformation through forgotten ruins.

Experience Local Life and Sihanoukville Fresh Market

After exploring the abandoned buildings to my satisfaction, I did not miss the chance to visitSihanoukville Marketwhich is another place that clearly reflects the local lifestyle. I stayed near the night market in town. In the morning, I woke up and walked through the fresh market filled with lively conversations and the aroma of fresh food, including freshly caught sea fish, shrimp, and shellfish from nearby waters.

This market sells a variety of goods ranging from fresh produce and seafood to clothing and daily necessities. I saw vendors balancing goods on their heads selling fruits and various foods, a rare sight in Thailand. There were also children walking to school accompanied by teachers waiting at the school gate near the market, which reminded me of my own childhood.

Local Food and Restaurants in Sihanoukville

After visiting the market, I stopped for a Khmer-style breakfast at a nearby restaurant. It was grilled pork rice served with a fried duck egg—simple food but full of rich flavors and the warmth of southern Khmer life (read more about food and restaurants in Sihanoukville)

). At night, I tried chicken rice porridge and stir-fried noodles at a night market stall in front of my hotel. These are common dishes in this city, but the taste and dining atmosphere impressed me greatly because there were few tourists, allowing me to truly experience the authentic flavors and friendliness of the locals.

Accommodation and Lifestyle in Sihanoukville

For accommodation in Sihanoukville, I chose to stay atSihanouk Timeshare Hotelwhich is located in the city center, not far from the beach. This place is ideal for those who want to experience the city atmosphere with a fresh market nearby. However, a caution is that power outages often occur at night here. For more convenience, I recommend choosing larger hotels with backup generators.

Sihanoukville remains a city that preserves the simplicity of coastal life well. Although there are more tourists now, it is still not as busy as other beach cities in Asia. The cleanliness of the beaches and clear sea water make this a city I want to visit again.

Video Clips and Travel Logs

For those who want to see the atmosphere of abandoned buildings and local life in Sihanoukville, you can watch the videos I recorded atAbandoned Buildings in Sihanoukvilleor watch Khmer grilled meat and various foods in this city atKhmer Grilled Meat at Kampong Som Buffetand the video of ordering food via Foodpanda atOrdering Food via Foodpanda in Sihanoukville.

Summary of Experience from mr.hotsia

The abandoned buildings in Sihanoukville are not just old ruins but a connection point that allowed me to deeply experience the story of this city. Walking through the fresh market, tasting local food, and relaxing in the peaceful coastal atmosphere made me feel that Sihanoukville is another city that travelers who appreciate simplicity and the sincerity of local communities should not miss.

If anyone is interested in more details about traveling in this city, I recommend readingSihanoukville Travel Informationand planning your trip following the route I described to truly experience mr.hotsia's journey.