Location: Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, is a mashup of fast-swerving two-wheelers, leafy boulevards, a serene riverfront, lively markets, crackling creative energy, and dark secrets. Often overshadowed by Siem Reap at the fringe of the ethereal Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh warrants attention and a handful of days to take in its highlights.

Although the city has experienced some very disturbing days, it has come into its own over the last several decades, driven by a collective effort to move on and embrace the future. Compared to Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh gives off a stuck-in-time feeling. Although skyscrapers and other big-city flourishes exist, Phnom Penh still feels delightfully tiny.