2 Best Performing Arts in Cambodia

Cambodia's answer to the Cirque du Soleil is truly a must-see. It started as a traveling troupe, but there are now nightly performances in a high-top tent southwest of the city center, though they continue to take the show on the road internationally and also to Phnom Penh. The high-energy performances combine Cambodian storytelling traditions with circus arts, dance, acrobatics, and acting to captivate audiences every night. The Phare School is a charitable organization that has a positive impact on poor communities. If you want to learn more about the background, visit the Phare Ponleu Selpak center in Battambang.

Most seating is first-come-first-served, so try to get there early.

Established to create work opportunities for talented local artists, Plae Pakaa puts on three shows, each performed twice a week at 7 pm (no show on Sunday). They are organized by the Marion Institute with Cambodian Living Arts and take place in the National Museum gardens. The beautifully staged performances showcase the rich diversity of Cambodian culture, from Apsara dances to traditional ceremonies, theater, music, and contemporary dance. If you're only in town for two or three days you can catch a different performance each night.