Sihanoukville, a coastal city in southwestern Cambodia, has undergone significant transformation in recent years. The city's rapid urbanization is largely driven by the influx of Chinese investment, which has brought about both economic benefits and concerns. In this article, we will explore some of the key projects and issues facing Sihanoukville.

The China Project (China Town)

Next to the Golden Sun Sky Casino & Hotel project lies a row of completed buildings known as The China Project or China Town. This area is home to numerous residential complexes, with washing hanging from the balconies indicating that they are occupied. However, the entrances have been sealed off and guards are stationed at each gate, giving the impression that it is a gated community.

Xin Du Hui International Grand Hotel

The Xin Du Hui International Grand Hotel is another significant project in Sihanoukville. Located on Poulowai Street 300, this hotel has seen some construction activity, but apart from a faded sign, there is little information available about the project.

Novotel Holiday Palace

The Novotel Holiday Palace, located on 2 Thnou Street, Independence Beach, was meant to open in 2020 but remains under construction. In 2019, the project was criticized for building too close to the beach.

Stalled Projects

Several major projects have stalled in Sihanoukville, including Prince Tian Xi Wan, a shopping mall and apartment complex at Victory Beach. Work has not progressed beyond the half-finished podium, and it is unclear when or if the project will be completed.

The Bund, located next to Prince Tian Xi Wan, is another stalled project. With no online images available, I have used a faded image from the abandoned construction site as a reference.

Oriental Pearl Hotel

One of the few remaining projects with some advertising left is the Oriental Pearl Hotel, located on 23 Tola Street. While it is unclear if this hotel will ever be completed, it serves as a reminder of the many abandoned or stalled projects in Sihanoukville.

Roads and Infrastructure

Despite the challenges facing some of these projects, there are positive developments in Sihanoukville. The city has seen significant improvements to its road network, with new roads and infrastructure such as cabling and drainage systems being installed.

Sihanoukville's rapid urbanization is a complex issue, driven by both economic benefits and concerns. While some projects have stalled or been abandoned, others continue to make progress. The city's infrastructure has also seen significant improvements, but more needs to be done to address the challenges facing Sihanoukville.

References

• [China Town and Golden Sun Sky Casino & Hotel (viewed from Otres Beach Road).]
• [China Town buildings (on the right).]
• [China Town gated compound.]
• [The Bund and The Seagate Suite (right).]
• [The Bund and The Seagate Suite (right).]
• [Xin Du Hui International Grand Hotel.]

Note: The article's content is based on real-life experiences and observations of the author. Images used are either taken by the author or obtained from online sources, such as Google Maps.