REVIEW · PHNOM PENH
Princess Buppha Devi Dance School
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Princess Buppha Devi Dance School · Bookable on GetYourGuide
One hour of Cambodian classical dance makes Sunday night worth it. I like that you get court-style storytelling with traditional music and costumes, all in a compact setting at Trellion Park, Koh Pich. A second reason I really enjoy it is the close-up feel: you’re seated in a small AC studio with a relatively intimate cast.
You’re watching a focused production, not a long “sit and wait” event. Expect the performance to center on Abduction of Sita, with Rama, Sita, Laksmana, Ravana, and Hanuman guiding the story through dance and music. The one drawback to keep in mind: the school may swap in a different performance than the one advertised, so you should arrive with a flexible mindset.
In This Review
- Key Highlights I’d Plan Around
- Where to Catch the Show at Trellion Park, Koh Pich
- The One-Hour Performance: Abduction of Sita in Motion
- Studio B6 Comfort: Small Group Feel in AC
- After the Curtain: Photos With the Dancers
- What Makes This Cultural Night Worth the Trip
- Price and Value: Is $25 a Fair Deal?
- Timing, Arrival, and What to Bring
- Private Shows: When You Want the Experience on Your Schedule
- Who This Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book Princess Buppha Devi Dance School?
- FAQ
- What day and time is the classical dance show?
- How long is the performance?
- Where exactly is the show located?
- How much are tickets?
- Can I pay at the entrance?
- Are private shows available?
- What performance is described for the show?
- What’s included with the ticket?
- Are drinks and food included?
- Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Key Highlights I’d Plan Around
- Sunday 7:00–8:00 PM showtime in Koh Pich, timed perfectly for an evening in Phnom Penh
- Treellion Park, Studio B6 (behind the dinosaur; first right) for an easy meeting point
- Small AC studio setup with limited seating (35 seats max), designed for comfort
- Close-up performance featuring 25 experienced dancers for a more detailed view
- Story-driven classical dance centered on Abduction of Sita and traditional musical accompaniment
- Photo time after the show with the dancers, plus a chance to chat if you’re friendly
Where to Catch the Show at Trellion Park, Koh Pich

This is one of those Phnom Penh experiences that’s simple once you have the pin. The show happens at Treellion Park, in Studio B6 on Koh Pich. The directions are specific: turn first right behind the dinosaur and you’ll be in the right studio.
If you’re staying somewhere central, give yourself a little extra time to get there on Sunday night. Koh Pich is busy, and you’ll want to settle in before the lights go down. Also, this is a “go to the venue yourself” kind of activity—pick up and drop off aren’t part of the plan.
The good news is that wheelchair access is available, which makes this easier to consider than many cultural shows that feel like they’re designed for stairs only.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phnom Penh.
The One-Hour Performance: Abduction of Sita in Motion

The heart of the night is a one-hour classical dance performance. It runs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and the focus is on classical Cambodian technique—movement, costumes, and story—supported by traditional music.
The featured story is Abduction of Sita. Here’s the setup in plain terms: Rama, his wife Sita, and Laksmana are exiled from Ayodhya. On their travels, they encounter Ravana, the demon king. Ravana becomes captivated by Sita and abducts her, bringing her to Lanka. Then Rama, aided by Hanuman, sets out to rescue her.
The way the story gets told matters. Instead of narration filling every gap, the dance and music do the heavy lifting—so you’ll want to watch the details: repeated gestures, facial expressions, and how the dancers communicate character shifts. If you like myth and drama, this will click fast.
One note that can affect your expectations: the school reserves the right to offer a different performance than the one described. Don’t worry—this doesn’t mean you’ll get a bad show. It just means you should come for the broader experience of Cambodian classical dance, not for a guaranteed exact title on the program.
Studio B6 Comfort: Small Group Feel in AC

You’re not going into a giant auditorium. This performance is built for close viewing in an AC studio with comfortable seating. The studio holds up to 35 seats, so even though it’s still a public show, it feels controlled and intimate.
There’s also a practical benefit to this setup: the “close-up” view is real. The show includes a closer up performance by experienced 25 dancers, which means you’re less likely to feel like you’re watching from far away through heads and phones.
If you’re sensitive to heat (or you just value not sweating through your evening), the AC matters. Cambodia evenings can be warm, and an indoor one-hour cultural stop is a nice balance to all-day walking.
After the Curtain: Photos With the Dancers

At the end, you get something many cultural shows skip: time for photos with the experienced dancers. It’s a simple add-on, but it’s meaningful because it turns the performance into an interaction, not just a one-way show.
Go in with realistic expectations. This isn’t a long meet-and-greet line described in detail here, so I’d treat it as a short photo moment and use it to show appreciation and ask a quick question if you can. Even a small smile goes a long way.
What Makes This Cultural Night Worth the Trip

You’re paying for more than costumes and choreography. The school frames the show as part of a larger mission: preserving traditional Cambodian art and supporting free dance education for young children. That gives your ticket a tangible purpose beyond entertainment.
And the style of the program is genuinely Cambodian in approach: classical dance plus traditional music and, in some creations, a combination that includes Bokator fighting techniques. That mix matters because it reflects how Cambodian performance doesn’t live in a museum-only world—it connects movement, storytelling, and physical technique.
If you like experiences that help you understand a culture through performance, this is a strong choice. It’s also a good “evening anchor” activity when you want something focused after a day of museums or markets.
Price and Value: Is $25 a Fair Deal?

The price is $25 per person, and for Phnom Penh, that sits in the category of paid cultural experiences rather than casual cheap-and-cheerful. So the question is value.
Here’s what you’re getting for that money, based on the details provided:
- One full hour of performance (7:00–8:00)
- AC studio seating with a small max capacity (35 seats)
- Close-up viewing with 25 experienced dancers
- Photos with dancers after the show
So you’re not just buying “a show.” You’re buying comfort, intimacy, and an extra interaction at the end. For a lot of visitors, that combination is what makes the ticket feel reasonable.
There’s also a family-friendly value boost: kids under 10 are free. If you’re traveling with children, it can be one of the rare cultural activities where the price doesn’t jump sharply for the whole group.
And about payments: you can pay in cash at the entrance. If you’re booking online through Last2tickets, it still keeps your day flexible because you can reserve your spot and then pay when you arrive.
Timing, Arrival, and What to Bring
Since the show starts at 7:00 PM, plan to arrive early enough to find Studio B6, get settled, and use the restroom if you need it. There’s no mention of a pre-show waiting room or long staging time, so early arrival keeps things calm.
What to bring is mostly common sense:
- Cash for the entrance payment
- A light layer if you get chilly in AC
- Your phone/camera for the show and for the after-show photos
Drinks and food aren’t included. So either eat beforehand or plan a stop after. In other words: don’t make the show your meal plan.
Private Shows: When You Want the Experience on Your Schedule

If you have a group, a special date, or you want a different format, the school also offers private shows and events. The details here don’t lay out duration, timing, or pricing for private bookings, so you’d need to contact them to confirm what’s available.
Still, the option is useful. A private show can be a good fit for:
- families who want a quieter experience
- small groups who want less crowd pressure
- events where a dance performance is the centerpiece
Who This Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This is especially good for you if:
- you want a short, high-impact cultural activity (one hour)
- you like classical Cambodian storytelling through dance and music
- you appreciate small venue comfort in AC
- you want a meaningful interaction with dancers through photos after
You might choose something else if:
- you want a show that’s guaranteed to match a specific program title exactly, since the school may present a different performance than described
- you’re looking for nightlife that runs late—this ends at 8:00 PM
Should You Book Princess Buppha Devi Dance School?

Yes, if you want an authentic Cambodian classical dance night without the hassle of long travel or complicated logistics. The best part is the combination: one hour, AC comfort, close-up dancers, and photos after the show—all at a clear price point of $25.
If you’re traveling with kids, it gets even easier to justify since children under 10 are free. And if you’re already in Phnom Penh on a Sunday evening, this is a very clean way to use that time.
Just remember one practical thing: arrive with a little flexibility. The story and style are the main attraction, and the school may swap the exact performance.
FAQ
What day and time is the classical dance show?
The show runs every Sunday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
How long is the performance?
The show is 1 hour.
Where exactly is the show located?
It takes place at Treellion Park, in Studio B6, Koh Pich (first right behind the dinosaur).
How much are tickets?
The price is $25 per person. Kids under 10 are free.
Can I pay at the entrance?
Yes, you can pay in cash at the entrance.
Are private shows available?
Yes, the school offers private shows and events.
What performance is described for the show?
The described performance centers on Abduction of Sita, involving Rama, Sita, Laksmana, Ravana, and Hanuman.
What’s included with the ticket?
Included are the 1-hour performance, AC seating (max 35 seats), close-up viewing by 25 dancers, and photos with the dancers after the show.
Are drinks and food included?
No, drinks & foods are not included.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.






















