Phnom Penh

Things to see in Phnom Penh

Phnompenh city

Phnompenh city is located in the southern heard of Cambodia and fully surrounded by the Kandal Province. The municipality consists of the typical plain wet area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations. Phnom Penh, the biggest city in Cambodia and also its wealthiest, is the cultural, commercial and political centre of the country and is home to more than one million of Cambodia's population of over 14 million. Covering an area of 345sqk Phnom Penh is located in the south-central region of Cambodia, at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers...

Gleaming in gold, the Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh is most splendid architectural achievements. The Royal Palace is built on the site of the old town. The Royal Palace contains some spectacular buildings. Not least of which is the Throne Hall, situated to the left of the main entrance. It boasts a 59-meter tower. The tower roof is beautiful, having been decoratively tiered with golden coloured tiles. This building is used for high official celebrations, coronations and audiences with foreign dignitaries and government officials. The Roy al Treasury and the Napoleon II villa lie south to...

Silver Pagoda is located on the south side of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh. The staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made of Italian marble. Rivalling the silver floor is the Emerald Buddha, an extraordinary Baccarat-crystal sculpture sitting atop an impressive gilded pedestal. Adding to the lavish mix is a life-sized solid-gold Buddha adorned with 2086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats. Created in the palace workshops during 1906 and 1907, the gold Buddha weighs 90kg. Directly in front of it, in a Formica case, is a miniature silver-and-gold stupa containing a relic of Budd...

Wat Phnom is a historical pagoda and one of the most important located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was built in 1372, and stands 27 metres (88.5 ft) above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. The pagoda was given the name of Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut. Wat Phnom is the central point of Phnom Penh. The main entrance to Wat Phnom is via the grand eastern staircase, which is guarded by lions and naga (mythical serpent) balustrades. The vihara (temple sanctuary) was rebuilt in 1434, 1806, 1894 and 1926. West of the vihara is a huge stupa containing the ashes of King Ponh...

Killing Fields of Cheung Ek is situated 15 kilometers south-west of Phnom Penh and made famous by the film of the same name "Killing Field". it was a place where more than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves; many of them transported here after detention and torture in Toul Sleng. This place is a chilling reminder of the brutalities of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. In the center of the area is a 17 story glass stupa which houses 8000 skulls exhumed from mass graves. Open daily.Note: Both Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields exhibits may be disturbing for some and are...

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, chronicling the Cambodian genocide. A school, a prison, the end of the road; Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was one of hundreds of detention and interrogation centers created all over Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge — who gave the former high school the sinisterly innocuous name S-21 — where countless thousands of Cambodians were ruthlessly processed until they were dead. The site has four main buildings, known as Building A, B, C, and D. Building A holds the large cells in which the bodies of the last vict...

The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is Cambodia's largest museum of cultural history and is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum. The museum buildings, inspired by Khmer temple architecture, were constructed between 1917 and 1924, the museum was officially inaugurated in 1920, and it was renovated in 1968. The first significant sculpture to greet visitors is a large fragment – including the relatively intact head, shoulders and two arms – of an immense bronze reclining Vishnu statue, which was recovered from the Western Mebon temple near Angkor Wat...

The riverfront from Street 104 to the Royal Palace is popular with locals and tourists alike. In addition to harboring several of the city’s most popular sights including the Royal Palace and the the National Museum, the riverfront road, Sisowath Quay, is lined with restaurants and bars, hotels, souvenir shops, spas, travel agents and more. The recently refurbished riverfront park is the focal point for the Phnom Penh residents' leisure activities. Early risers can see the many locals welcoming the new d...

The National Library of Cambodia is located to the west of Wat Phnom, opposite the National University of Management, next to the Sunway Hotel. The National Library was built in 1924 during French colonial rule and was intended for French researchers. However, it was handed back to Cambodia after the colonial occupation collapsed in 1953. Its purpose is to collect, preserve and provide access to the nation’s documentary heritage. It contains books, reports, serials and non-print items, published in Cambodia, about Cambodia, or by Cambodians, mainly in Khmer, English or French and Palm...

The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh was built in 1958 and was inaugurated on November 9, 1962 to celebrate the independence from the French in 1953, but now also serving as a cenotaph to Cambodia’s war dead. The 20-meter high monument was designed by Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann, and is shaped in the form of a lotus, which also can be seen at Angkor and other Khmer historical sites. You are not allowed to enter the monument. At night it is lit with blue, red and white light (the colours of the national flag) and it should be an impressive sight - but I didn’t see it. It...

Central Market is located is located on Street 128 (Kampuchea Krom) in Phsar Thmei 1 Commune, Daun Penh District, Phnom Penh. The Central Market was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre. It consists of four wings dominated by a central dome, the design allows maximum ventilation. It is probably the cleanest and most airy market in Phnom Penh. The Market was recently renovated to restore its old glory. The renovation was financed by the French government and finished in March of 2011. The Market is filled with...

Wat Ounalom (also Wat Unnalom and several other spellings) is a wat located on Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, near the Royal Palace of Cambodia. This wat is the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. It was founded in 1443 and comprises 44 structures. Tucked away in a quaint setting, Wat Ounalom consists of a cluster of 44 buildings. Erected in 1952, the main temple is the modern recreation of the original shrine that was constructed in the 15th century. It is spread over three levels and has to its credit an interesting collection of magnificent paintings and cultural relics that throw...