Cambodia: Phnom Penh historic areas

Score: 36

"Wonderful natural and cultural qualities (the Mekong River and the French colonial architecture), but indifference from the government has left it a backwater, challenged by pollution, traffic, congestion, poverty, and unmanaged development. It could have been a great stop on the way to Angkor, but most visitors now avoid it."

"This once exemplary colonial city, depicting the best of French urban planning, is now sadly lost to uncontrolled urban growth and the outright greed of land speculation. A very sad story. But efforts are still needed to save parts of the historic urban fabric to recount the glory and drama of Phnom Penh."

"Beautiful monuments and palaces and a rich French historical past marked by urban buildings with great architecture and aesthetic appeal."