A new Urban Tales adventure in the streets of Phnom Penh’s old district

★ NEW ACTIVITY IN PHNOM PENH! ★

Halfway between a life-sized investigation, an original city-tour and a treasure hunt, Urban Tales Phnom Penh puts you in the shoes of adventurers going back in time in search of a lost Khmer antique and a mysterious French explorer. By following this journey, you will enjoy an original self-guided tour in the heart of the city.

This 1/2 day excursion has been especially designed for independent travellers willing to discover the city by themselves. The scenario will lead visitors to some of Phnom Penh best kept secrets: century-old temples, unknown monuments and hidden lanes.

Urban Tales is also a formidable chance to meet locals who will interact with you all along this scripted walking tour to bring you additional clues and help you solve the mystery of the missing notes of Anatole Pasquier.

Explore Phnom Penh old district at your own pace and experience the city differently!

Follow in the footsteps of a mysterious French explorer and Investigate!

In 1881, a French explorer named Anatole Pasquier visited the interior of Cambodia during an expedition that lasted 11 months and brought him as far as the deep jungle of Mondulkiri.

His writings and drawings make an invaluable description of the wildest regions of South East Asia at the time. In June 1881 he stopped in Phnom Penh for one day only in order to resupply.

What exactly happened for the next few days remains a mystery…

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 An old object dating back from the very beginnings of the city of Phnom Penh had been lost.

The Department of Archaeology of the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh recently traced again this relic and is now looking for somebody to investigate on this special issue. It needs you to follow in the footsteps of a mysterious character in order to gather all the clues leading to the truth.

Will you be able to find the missing notes of Anatole Pasquier and solve the mystery?

Time frame

2 Daily departures at 8:15AM and 9:15AM, depending on availability, from the city center of Phnom Penh.

Approximate duration of the game: 3h

Approximate walking distance: 3km.

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8:15 / or 9:15AM: You are welcomed at the National Library by a specialist working for the Department of Archeology of the Royal University of Fine Arts. He will then address the reasons for his invitation: the name of Anatole Pasquier, a French explorer of the 19th century, has just reemerged. Someone just found a letter leading to believe that Anatole Pasquier could be related to an old and mysterious relic. Your mission is to find this ancient relic in the maze of Phnom Penh and bring it back to the Department of Archaeology.

8:30 / or 9:30AM: After finding a first series of clues you will receive a compass and an illustrated road book that will be helpful during your adventure. You are now free to begin your own exploration in the streets of Phnom Penh. You will also be handed a mobile phone which allows you to stay in contact with your host and to receive extra guidance at any time.

You will have to rely on your intuition and plunge into the past of Phnom Penh in order to fulfill your task. Along the way you will encounter actors who will help you in your research. Your journey will lead you through the streets of the neighborhood, unknown buildings and ancient temples, following the long-gone stories of the various protagonists who were in contact with the sought-after relic.

11:15AM / 12:15PM :  By late morning, you will have traveled most of the old quarter of Phnom Penh while following a fascinating storyline and, who knows, you may have discovered one of Phnom Penh’s long kept secrets.