Princess Buppha Devi Dance School

REVIEW · PHNOM PENH

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School

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Operated by Princess Buppha Devi Dance School · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 5.0 (4)Price from$25Operated byPrincess Buppha Devi Dance SchoolBook viaGetYourGuide

A Sunday night dance show in Cambodia? That’s a great way to spend an hour. Princess Buppha Devi Dance School brings classical Cambodian dance, traditional music, and big story energy into a small, air-conditioned studio at Koh Pich. I love how close the performance feels (you’re not stuck in the back), and I like that it supports free kids’ dance classes too. One thing to plan for: the school may offer a different performance than the one listed.

You’ll also appreciate the straightforward setup: pay in cash at the entrance after reserving online, and the show runs from 7:00 to 8:00 PM every Sunday. It’s the kind of cultural stop that fits easily around dinner plans. The only drawback I can see for some people is that there’s no pickup, so you’ll need to get yourself to Trellion Park.

Key things that make this show worth your Sunday

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Key things that make this show worth your Sunday

  • A full one-hour performance (7:00–8:00 PM) every Sunday at Trellion Park
  • Small AC studio seating with a max of 35 seats, so the vibe stays personal
  • Close-up staging with 25 experienced dancers
  • A clear story theme: Abduction of Sita (Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravana)
  • Classical dance plus Bokator-style fighting techniques in a new creation
  • Photos with the dancers after the show, so you can cap the night in a fun way

Entering Trellion Park: Studio B6, right behind the dinosaur

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Entering Trellion Park: Studio B6, right behind the dinosaur
Your evening starts at Trellion Park, Studio B6 on Koh Pich in Phnom Penh. The directions are simple: go to the Trellion Park area, then find the first right behind the dinosaur. From there, you’re looking specifically for Studio B6.

Why I like this meeting point: it’s easy to follow even if Phnom Penh traffic has you frazzled. Also, the show is in an actual studio (not an open-air setup), which helps make the hour feel focused and comfortable.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phnom Penh.

What to know before you go

This is a standalone experience. There’s no pickup or drop-off, so you’ll want to plan your own way there and back. Drinks and food aren’t included either, so I’d treat this as a show you schedule around meals rather than the meal itself.

Tickets and pricing: $25 for an AC, close-up cultural hour

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Tickets and pricing: $25 for an AC, close-up cultural hour
The listed price is $25 per person for the show. For one hour of performance, that may sound like a lot if you’re comparing it to casual street entertainment—but it’s not a street show. You’re paying for a small-capacity AC studio, a tight staging with 25 dancers, and time for photos with the performers afterward.

Also, you can book through the Last2tickets platform. The process is designed to keep things flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and the show also allows cash payment at the entrance. If you like having a plan without locking every detail too early, this setup fits.

Children under 10 are free, which is a big deal if you’re traveling with kids who can sit through a full hour of performance storytelling.

Your one-hour show: classical dance, costumes, and the Abduction of Sita story

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Your one-hour show: classical dance, costumes, and the Abduction of Sita story
The main event is a one-hour classical dance show running 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sundays. The school’s approach is classic but not stuffy: you’re meant to watch the movement, the costumes, the traditional music, and the storytelling work together.

The performance description you can expect is Abduction of Sita. Here’s the story thread the show focuses on:

  • Rama, his wife Sita, and Laksmana are exiled from Ayodhya.
  • During their journey, they encounter Ravana, the demon king.
  • Ravana becomes infatuated with Sita’s beauty and abducts her.
  • Sita is taken to Lanka, Ravana’s palace.
  • Rama, with the help of Hanuman, sets out to rescue Sita.

Even if you don’t know the Khmer or Ramayana background, the structure is easy to follow because the show turns the plot into physical action: characters, conflict, pursuit, and the rescue mission.

One important caveat: performances can change

The school notes that it reserves the right to offer a different performance than originally described. I’d go in with a flexible mindset. If you’re specifically excited about the Abduction of Sita theme, double-check what’s listed for that particular Sunday when you book.

Close-up seating and small-group comfort inside Studio B6

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Close-up seating and small-group comfort inside Studio B6
This isn’t a huge theater experience. The show is performed inside a studio with comfortable seating for a maximum of 35 people, and it’s in an air-conditioned space. That matters in Phnom Penh, where an indoor cooldown can turn a long day into a pleasant evening.

You’ll also feel how the group size changes your experience. With a small room and a closer audience angle, the dancers’ expression reads more clearly, and the whole thing feels more like you’re watching rehearsed artistry than something designed to fill a big arena.

The included details say the performance is done with 25 dancers, and the show is designed for closer up performance. Translation: you’re not just buying tickets—you’re buying that “right here in the room” feeling.

The mix of classical dance and Bokator fighting techniques

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - The mix of classical dance and Bokator fighting techniques
One of the most interesting parts of this show is that it’s not only classical dance in a traditional, separate box. The included description mentions a new creation combining classical dance and traditional Bokator fighting techniques.

Bokator is typically associated with older fighting traditions, and putting it into a dance performance changes how you read motion. Instead of only thinking of dance as graceful movement, you’ll also be watching for the sharper rhythm of technique—stances, power, and action that looks like it belongs to story drama, not just stage decoration.

Why that combination is valuable: it makes the hour feel fresh without losing the core Cambodian classical focus. You get the familiar layers—traditional music, costumes, and story roles—while also seeing how cultural forms can intersect.

Photos with dancers: a rare add-on that feels meaningful

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Photos with dancers: a rare add-on that feels meaningful
After the show, you can take photos with the experienced dancers. I love add-ons like this when they’re done well, because they turn a cultural performance into a personal moment instead of a one-and-done viewing.

With this kind of close-up setup, photos are more likely to feel natural rather than rushed behind barriers. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to remember experiences in a real way (not just by taking a few blurry shots), this is a strong reason to plan your Sunday around the show.

How this fits into a Phnom Penh evening (and when to go)

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - How this fits into a Phnom Penh evening (and when to go)
This is a Sunday-only show, and it’s scheduled at 7:00 PM. That timing is helpful because it works after a day of sightseeing without forcing a late night.

Because the show is just one hour, you can treat it like a cultural “anchor” for the evening. You can eat beforehand, walk or grab your transport to Koh Pich, then enjoy the performance and still have time afterward if your schedule allows.

Who this suits best

This show is a great fit if you want:

  • A compact, high-craft cultural evening (just one hour)
  • Close-up viewing in a small studio
  • A clear story theme with Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravana
  • A performance that includes traditional music and costume-focused classical dance

It may be less ideal if you hate sitting through story-based performances or you’re looking for something interactive beyond watching. But if you enjoy following movement-based storytelling, you’ll likely find this hour very watchable.

Quick practical checklist

  • Go to Trellion Park, Studio B6 on Koh Pich
  • Use the directions: first right behind the dinosaur
  • Plan your own transport: no pickup or drop-off
  • Bring cash if you plan to pay at the entrance (and book online if you want reserve options)
  • Don’t count on food or drinks being part of the ticket

Should you book Princess Buppha Devi Dance School?

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School - Should you book Princess Buppha Devi Dance School?
Book it if you want an easy, meaningful Sunday night in Phnom Penh with small-group comfort, air-conditioned seating, and a strong classical storytelling theme. The best value here is the combination of: a one-hour performance, 25 dancers, and close viewing in Studio B6, plus the chance for photos afterward.

Skip it only if you’re planning to do something else at that exact time or you’re very price-sensitive for one hour of indoor performance. If you can make Sundays work, this is one of those cultural stops that feels like it respects your time and your attention.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the Princess Buppha Devi Dance School show start?

The classical dance show runs every Sunday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Where is the show located?

It’s at Treellion Park, Studio B6, Koh Pich (first right behind the dinosaur) in Phnom Penh.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $25 per person.

Can I pay with cash at the entrance?

Yes, you can pay in cash at the entrance.

Is there a way to book without paying immediately?

Yes. The listing includes a reserve option with pay later.

How long is the performance?

The show duration is 1 hour.

Is there an option besides the public Sunday show?

Yes. The school also offers private shows and events.

Is the performance always Abduction of Sita?

The description you see may be for that show, but the school notes it may offer a different performance than originally described.

Are kids allowed, and do they pay?

Yes. Kids under 10 are free.

What’s included and what’s not?

Included: the one-hour performance (including the new creation combining classical dance and traditional Bokator fighting techniques), AC studio seating for up to 35, close-up performance by 25 dancers, and photos with dancers after the show. Not included: pickup, drop-off, and drinks & foods.

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