“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

Phnom Penh, however sobering its history, is a city brimming with unseen surprises and new visions. So often, the city becomes boxed in by its troubling past and relegated to a sad and depressing place. Travelers go to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng and often leave after a day or so. Lost is the excitement of a new generation of Cambodians eager to have their voice and visions realized.

Moving forward and creating something of one’s own is a beautiful thing and, as we all probably know, so much of the world’s great art, music and cultural heritages come out of tragedy. The analogy of the phoenix comes to mind, yet seems quite trite to pigeonhole, or reduce, it into some sort of linear cause and effect relationship. The fact remains that Phnom Penh is coming into the 21st Century with a voice still steeped in history, yet eager to find its footing in the modern world.

The New York Times recently spent 36 hours in Phnom Penh documenting this rebirth. They check out what to see, where to eat, where to grab a decent drink and just the general vibe of a young, exciting city. Check out the video below and perhaps take a fresh look to discover the ever-evolving Phnom Penh.