Wat Phnom is a great place to take the kids when you want to give them some fresh air and a little culture. Set on top of a forested hill, legend has it that the original temple here was built in 1372 to house four sacred Buddha statues that city founder Lady Penh found on the banks of the Mekong.

The hilltop pagoda has been rebuilt many times, with the current sanctuary dating to 1926. The tall stupa next to it is far older. There are also a number of smaller shrines.

Apart from observing the faithful who come here to make offerings, children can also learn about local customs and beliefs. One way they can join in is to watch for people carrying cages full of small birds. For a small fee, they will let you release one of the birds, a tradition believed to earn merit.

The forested park that surrounds the hill is wonderful place for a stroll at any time of day. There are benches to sit on and you may see hornbills and bats in the trees, or even monkeys - though most of these were removed a few years back.

Remember to dress respectfully and remove shoes before entering the pagoda sanctuary.