Been There – Sihanouk Ville
This is the last Been There mug from Cambodia. Judging by other releases from this region, the Starbucks Been There Sihanouk Ville may be replaced soon by the Discovery mug.
Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s main coastal city, located along the Gulf of Thailand and known for its beaches, tropical islands, fishing communities, and growing waterfront skyline. Originally developed in the 1950s around Cambodia’s only deep-water port, the city has evolved into both a tourism destination and an important economic hub. The Starbucks mug design combines seaside scenery, local culture, wildlife, and regional landmarks to capture the atmosphere of Cambodia’s southern coast. The artwork leans heavily into ocean views, island life, and tropical landscapes that define Sihanoukville and the surrounding region.
Appearing throughout the design are several symbols and landmarks associated with the city and nearby coastal areas.
– The coastline and beaches of Sihanoukville stretch across much of the artwork. The city is famous for its sandy beaches, warm Gulf waters, and island-hopping culture, with destinations such as Otres Beach and Serendipity Beach attracting both local visitors and international tourists.
– Tropical islands and wooden piers are represented through the palm-covered island scenes and long dock structures shown near the center of the mug. Ferries and boats regularly connect Sihanoukville to nearby islands, including Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, known for clear water and laid-back beach resorts.
– Kayaking and water activities appear in the middle section of the design. The calm coastal waters around Sihanoukville are popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, and boat excursions along the shoreline and nearby islands.
– Fishing villages and coastal communities are reflected through the boats, floating structures, and the figure carrying baskets near the right side of the mug. Fishing remains an important part of daily life and the local economy throughout Cambodia’s southern coast.
– The skyline of Sihanoukville can be seen on the front of the mug. In recent years, the city has undergone rapid development, with new hotels, casinos, apartment towers, and waterfront buildings dramatically changing the appearance of the coastline.
– The Golden Lions Roundabout is one of the clearest landmarks featured on the mug. The famous lion statue has become the symbol of Sihanoukville and serves as one of the city’s best-known meeting points and tourist landmarks.
– Skanda on a Peacock appears on the right side of the design through the tall standing statue figure. In Cambodian and broader Hindu-Buddhist traditions, Skanda, also known as Kartikeya, is associated with war, protection, and victory, and is often depicted riding or standing beside a peacock. Statues inspired by these traditions can be found throughout parts of Southeast Asia.
– Preah Thong and Neang Neak are represented through the pair of standing figures shown near the upper left section of the mug. The legendary story tells of the Indian prince Preah Thong and the naga princess Neang Neak, whose union symbolically represents the origins of the Khmer people and Cambodian civilization. Their imagery remains deeply connected to Cambodian cultural identity and traditional symbolism.
– Scenic mountain roads and viewpoints are illustrated through the winding roadway scene on the left side of the mug. The areas surrounding Sihanoukville offer elevated coastal viewpoints overlooking beaches, forests, and the Gulf of Thailand.
