Chroy Changvar Location Profile

Overview

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Chroy Changvar district is located in the north-east of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital city, at the confluence of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap River. Chroy Changvar is the name of both the district and the peninsula it encompasses.

The district is another rapidly developing area of the city and has seen a number of large hotels, residential developments, restaurants and other investment projects transform the formerly quiet area on the outskirts of the city. It is also now close to a number of key tourist and leisure activities in the city.

Over the past decade, Chroy Changvar has developed at a rate much faster than other districts in Phnom Penh, as it had large plots of empty land which have been snapped up to take advantage of the city’s construction boom.

The peninsula formed by the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, as well as Koh Dach (Silk Island) also offer pristine river views and city views of Phnom Penh from Chroy Changvar. It is not as much a clustered city sprawl like the CBD (Central Business District) of Phnom Penh.

Ideally located on National Highway 6A, which runs through Chroy Changvar, it offers a direct route to the key northern provinces of Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, and Kampong Cham.

With the correct urban planning and ongoing investment, Chroy Changvar has the potential to be an economic powerhouse.

Key Information

The Cambodia-Japan Friendship bridge was built in 1966 and after undergoing damage during the Khmer Rouge reign, the Cambodian government began to restore the infrastructure damaged in Phnom Penh. In 1995, the Japanese government donated government funds to rebuild the bridge.

The bridge had to have further repairs in 2017-2019 and the adjacent Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, completed in 2015, also eased traffic congestion.

The Win-Win Monument is one of the newest attractions in Phnom Penh as it was unveiled in 2019. The memorial commemorates Cambodia’s struggles and the successes gained after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge in 1979 and is supposed to be a symbol of national unity. Prime Minister Hun Sen described it as a symbol of independence, unity, national reconciliation, and development. The main feature of the memorial is a 54-metre high monument. Spread over 8 hectares, the memorial also includes a picture gallery, movie theatre, fountains, and a library.

The Royal Navy Headquarters is also located in this district.

Chroy Changvar district has been undergoing rapid development and has great potential to develop into the next large economic center. With a mix of urban residential and industrial development, there is

increased demand for condos, villas, shophouses which are driving up the price of land in Chroy Changvar.

With the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia (SEA Games) coming to Cambodia in 2023, Chroy Changvar district has been upgraded and it will be a key feature of hosting the Games.

The Satellite city of Shuijing Hua, developed by the Cambodian Overseas Investment Corporation (OCIC), is valued at $1.6 billion and covers more than 300 hectares. The project includes a power plant, a shopping centre, an exhibition centre, sports facilities, a government building, a school and a clubhouse.

Chroy Changvar is also becoming a center of Borey developments. Projects include the Botanic City Borey, the Botanic Garden and the Royal Borey of the Mekong River. Other completed projects are Borey Chinatown and Borey New World

Borey Sopheak Mongkol is a 45,000 sqm mixed-use commercial complex with housing. The Mekong View Towers has 116 residential units and a Skybar overlooking Phnom Penh City.

In early 2019, Jiayuan International Group, a major Chinese property developer, purchased five plots of land in Chroy Changvar for $35 million. The land will be used for residential and commercial projects.

The district still has some large parcels of undeveloped land, much of it is far cheaper than in other parts of the Phnom Penh. Combined with good access to the centre of the city too, and the surrounding rivers, it has a natural appeal.

According to the 2008 census of Cambodia, the total population of Chroy Changvar was 61,214. The census results from 2019 are due to be released in 2020-2021.

In 2019, Phnom Penh had a total population of 2.13 million with a population growth rate of 3.92%. The metro area will continue to expand in order to support the city's growing population and economy.

Things To Do in Chroy Changvar

Chroy Changvar has a few local markets, and new investments have seen the Vathanak Supermarket, JR Mart, Point One Commercial Center, and Phsar Preak Leap adding more grocery and retail options.

Chroy Changvar is still limited though but once the new projects are completed, and as the residential numbers keep growing, more shopping attractions will be developed in Chroy Changvar.

Also known as the Cambodian-Japanese Friendship Bridge, the Chroy Changvar Bridge is the most well-known landmark in the district. The bridge, which spans the Mekong River, was originally built with Japanese aid in the early 1960s. The bridge remained closed for more than two decades until it was repaired and put back into operation in the 1990s after the Khmer Rouge.

Koh Dach is among the most popular tourist destinations in Phnom Penh. The beautiful island on the Mekong River is noted for its silk production and weaving industry. Mostly secluded, the island is popular with locals and foreigners seeking peace and solitude. It is also a good place to buy silk products, wood carvings, pottery, and other handicrafts.

Sokha Hotel Phnom Penh is the most obvious landmark on the Chroy Changvar peninsula, and is located opposite the main Phnom Penh riverside.

Chroy Changvar is also home to Cambodia’s first-ever dinosaur park, Dinosaurs Alive. Meanwhile the theme park with budget rides, food and events is located close to the bridges, having moved from Koh Pich.

Nearby to Chroy Changvar is the largest zoo in Cambodia, the Safari World Phnom Penh, as well as the Garden City WaterPark. In addition, the Morodok Techo National Stadium is set for completion before the SEA Games and is a 60,000-seat venue being developed to the tune of $200 million.

Other interesting places are Wat Pothiyaram Wat Chas temple and the many pagodas on Koh Dach.

Chroy Changvar is not famous for its food but better quality dining is being added to the district. Most of the cuisine caters for the local Cmabodian and wider Asian market and many local food stalls, BBQs, cafes and snack carts are found here.

One of the most notable dining destinations is the Food Palace, which hosts over 200 food stalls. They serve Khmer, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Western food.

Several indoor restaurants in Sokha Phnom Penh are also known for serving a wide and excellent variety of Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Asian dishes. Nearby Sokha are a number of local restaurants lining the peninsula riverside and offer views of the main city.

A number of the popular cafe and food and beverage franchises are also now open in Chroy Changvar such as Cafe Amazon, Starbucks etc. Many of these can be found near the traffic circle by the pair of bridges and along Highway 6.

On Silk Island, some local and western accommodation venues have food and drinks available, most famous among these would be the river beach at the northern end of the island (with local food and picnic stalls) and Le Kroma Villa & Villa Koh Dach which between them have a pool, food and rooms available.

The nightlife in Chroy Changvar is less lively than places closer to the Phnom Penh city centre. Some of the evening attractions include Dream World KTV, Bokor Lounge & Bar, and Spean Meas Karaoke.

Sokha Hotel Phnom Penh also has events and rooftop venues with great venues of the city. Some of the serviced apartments which are mixed developments also have occasional events.

Chroy Changvar is accessible by ferry and the bridges mentioned above. The roads have undergone upgrades and with projects being developed these will need to be maintained. The traffic over the bridges can still be congested during peak morning and evening times and over popular holidays.

Phnom Penh International Airport is about 45 minutes - 1 hour from Chroy Changvar. It is easiest to reach the airport using Cambodia’s tuk tuk or the remork-moto (a carriage attached to a motorcycle) while newer smaller tuk tuks have also entered the market in recent years. These are popular and easy to find especially with a number of ride-hailing apps which are commonly used in Phnom Penh.

Some ferries and boat taxis also operate as the city expands and it deals with a growing traffic issue. Some of these run from the Sokha Hotel to the opposite banks, near NagaWorld.

A bus route runs return trips to Chroy Changvar via Line 06.

The current real estate market is experiencing significant growth and this is particularly true in Chroy Changvar. More international residents of Phnom Penh are making the move to this area, taking up deals in the new mixed-use developments, which are affordable and offer amazing views and are less congested than the main city.

The area is also home to hospitals, schools, and other amenities. In addition, leisure activities, gyms, sports fields and water sports are nearby, so Chroy Changvar has a wide range of choices for expats to keep themselves busy.

Explore the Area

As part of Phnom Penh, Chroy Changvar is the name of both the district and the peninsula. Chroy Changvar is subdivided into 5 Sangkats and 22 Kroms and is in the northwest of Phnom Penh.

Chroy Changvar is across the river from the central Phnom Penh CBD. It is connected to the centre of the city by a pair of bridges; the Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge and Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge. These important access points have also been instrumental in the district's economic rise.

There’s also a bridge to the peninsula farther north in the Prek Pnov area and links National Road 5 to Road 6A.

Chroy Changvar was a part of Russey Keo district until 2013. It’s made up of five communes: