Sihanoukville is a coastal city in Cambodia. It’s known for its beaches like Otres Beach and Serendipity Beach as well as nearby islands like Koh Rong which used to be popular for snorkeling and diving. Now it is known by tourists as one of the most ugly concrete cities while Koh Rong Sanloem also dropped in popularity due some inner-island tourism conflicts also due to foreign investments ( https://youtu.be/FDf0o3fp4jQ ).

Over the past years Sihanoukville has seen investments from China, transforming it from a quiet Cambodian town to a Chinese influenced city. During my first visit in 2015 I walked around with good memories yet the Sihanoukville of today is almost unrecognizable of the place even just 8-10 years ago.

With an increase of Chinese investments many high-rises and casinos were started. Many of the constructions did not get finished leaving the city with several concrete shells. It seems unclear whether or when the abandoned constructions will resume making Sihanoukville an interesting case on the influence of foreign investment.

On this tour we start at the Ou Chheuteal Beach and walk towards downtown Sihanoukville. We pass abandoned constructions all the way to Phsar Leu Market before we turn around and see the city during nighttime. After another pass along the beach, which is now lined with mostly Chinese restaurants, we end this walking tour of Sihanoukville.

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Filmed in January 2024

Camera: Osmo Pocket 3 in 4K60
Mic: Zoom H1n