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Phnom Penh Capital |
Situated
at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle
Sap Rivers, Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh has
a population of approximately 1.5 million people.
Despite the dilapidation resulting from decades
of war, the city retains its traditional Khmer
and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined
boulevards remind the visitor that the city was
once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Recent
political changes have triggered an economic boom
of sorts, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and
nightclubs springing up around the city. |
 |
Royal
Palace |
Situated
on the site of the former Citadel, it was built
by King Norodom in 1866 on the banks of the Mekong
River. Inside its gleaming yellow walls are the
Throne Hall; the Chan Chaya Pavilion, specially
made for performances of classical Cambodian dance;
the Napoleon III Pavilion, offered to King Norodom
by Queen Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and the
King's and Queen's residential quarters. Nowadays,
only the Silver Pagoda can be visited. (Sothearos
between Street 240 & 184 - $3.00/person, $2.00/camera,
$5.00/video cam. Open everyday, 7:30-11:00 / 2:30-5:00) |
|
Silver
Pagoda |
| Also called the
Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, it is located in the
compound of the Royal Palace. Inside its floor is
constructed of 5000 silver tiles. In the center
of the pagoda there is a magnificent 17th-century
emerald Buddha statue made of baccarat crystal.
The walls enclosing the pagoda are covered with
frescoes depicting episodes from the Khmer version
of the Ramayana. |
|
| Independence
Monument |
Inaugurated in 1958
to celebrate Cambodia's independence from foreign
rule. It now also serves as monument to Cambodia's
war dead. At night the monument is very tastefully
illuminated by red, blue and white floodlights -
the colors of the Canbodian flag. It is the site
of celebrations and services on holidays such as
Independence Day and Constitution Day. Trespassing
onto the monument is illegal (sometimes). The best
view is from across the street anyway.
(At the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk) |
|
| National
Museum |
Located
near the Royal Palace, Cambodia's National Museum
offers a charming setting for a stunning collection
of ancient Khmer art. Predominantly constructed
of sandstone, the sculptures date from both the
Angkorean and pre-Angkorean eras. These exhibits
are complemented by more recent examples of Cambodian
art. The museum is housed in a terra-cotta-roofed
structure of traditional Cambodian design, which
was built between 1917 and 1920. Apart from artistic
treasures, the building is also home to a large
colony of Cambodian freetail bats.
The colony has lived in the building's rafters for
years and is believed to be the largest group of
bats living in a man-made structure anywhere in
the world. But visitors need not worry about becoming
a guano target, as the Australian government reinforced
the ceiling of the museum in 1997. The only time
you are likely to see the bats is when they fly
from the roof en masse at dusk each evening.
(Street 178 & Street 13, next to the Royal Palace
- $2.00 - 8:00-11:30 and 2:00-5:00, open everyday)
|
|
| Wat
Phnom |
The
history of Wat Phnom is that in 1372 Lady Penh discovered
four Buddha statues. She decided to create the hill
(phnom) that is today the site of Wat Phnom and
atop the hill she created a small temple (wat) to
house the statues. The story continues that eventually
the area became known as Phnom Penh in recognition
of Lady Penh and the hill. The current temple contains
the remains of King Ponhea Vat (1405-1467) and it
was this King that relocated the capital of Cambodia
from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422.
The hill today is a busy site as the temple is active
and draws lots of local people. You can take an
elephant ride and there are many stalls selling
food and drinks. Entrance to Wat Phnom is US$1.
(Intersection of Street 96 and Norodom Blvd. - $1/person)
|
| Wat
Ounalom |
| Facing
the Tonle Sap River near the Royal Palace, this
pagoda serves as the headquarters for one of Cambodia's
most revered Buddhist patriarchs. |
|
| Toul
Sleng Genocide Muneum (S-21) |
Prior
to 1975, Toul Sleng was a high school. When the
Khmer Rouge came to power it was converted into
the S-21 prison and interrogation facility. Inmates
were systematically tortured, sometimes over a period
of months, to extract confessions, after which they
were executed at the killing fields of Choeung Ek.
S-21 processed over 17,000 people, seven of whom
survived. The building now serves as a museum, a
memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer
Rouge regime. Much has been left in the state it
was when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January
1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving
thousands of photos of their victims, many of which
are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison
by Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also
on display. The museum's famous and controversial
“skull map” has recently been dismantled.
(Corner of Street 113 & Street 350 - $2.00 -
Open everyday, including holidays, 8AM-5PM Closed
for lunch) |
|
| Choeung
Ek Killing Fields Site |
From
1975-1979 the ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge regime,
led by Pol Pot, controlled Cambodia. During their
short reign, between 1 and 2.5 million Cambodians
perished, some killed outright, others dying from
disease, malnutrition and mistreatment. Many of
the dead ended up in “killing fields”
I that can be found across the country. The memorial
at 1 Choeung Ek just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard!
and a Chinese cemetery prior to 1975. During the
Khmer Rouge regime it became one of the killing
fields the site of the brutal executions of more
than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered
through torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison.
Choeung Ek is now a group of mass graves and a memorial
stupa containing thousands of skulls. Combine with
a visit to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.
(15 km southwest of Phnom Penh - Take Monireth 8.5
km past the bridge at Street 271) |
|
| The
River Front |
| A stroll
or cyclo ride along the park lined riverfront is
a must - pubs, restaurants, shops and tourist boats
line the way. The view of the confluence of the
Mekong and the Tonle Sap is geographically unique.
Early risers, check out the spectacular sunrise
over the river in front of the Royal Palace. |
|
| Traditional
Markets (Phsar) |
| The
market places in Cambodian cities and towns always
present a hive of activity and a visit to one or
two is a great experience for visitors. In Phnom
Penh we recommend a visit to the Russian Market
and the Central Market. Note that generally most
markets open for daylight hours only, from early
morning until early evening. |
|
| Central
Market (Phsar Thmei) |
| The
distinctive art-deco styling of the Central Market
makes it a standout in the architecture of Phnom
Penh. Phsar Thmei translates to New Market although
Central Market is becoming more common; be assured
that whichever name you use the moto drivers will
know where you want to go. You will find a myriad
of stalls offering t-shirts, jewellery, postcards,
flowers, house ware, and electronic goods –
in fact just about anything you could wish for!
|
|
| Russian
Market (Phsar Toul Tom poung) |
| So-named
because of the prevalence of items from the Eastern
Bloc in past times, the Russian Market today is
a treasure trove for tourists. Particular items
worth seeking out include CD’s, fabrics, jewellery,
carved handicrafts and ceramics. There are also
a large number of clothing outlets and adjustments
can be done readily via the tailors and seamstresses.
The food and drinks stalls are a good place to take
a refreshment break between the bargaining. |
|
| Orussey
Market |
| Centrally
located, Orussey Market is much more geared towards
locals than tourists; hence you will not find as
much in the way of souvenirs as the other markets
mentioned. A huge array of foodstuffs is on offer
including the wet market with fresh meat, poultry
and seafood. Other items in abundance include house
ware, hardware and electronic goods. |
|
| Old
Market (Phsar Chas) |
| A local
market that is not at all geared to the tourist.
It carries such items as fruits and vegetable, second
hand cloths, hardware, motorcycle parts and religious
items. In the late afternoon food vendors and fruit
sellers set up mats along Street 13 in preparation
for the evening market. The dinner rush hour makes
for a confusing, dirty potentially photogenic scene.
|
|
| Pagodas |
| In Phnom
Penh, you are never outside walking distance of
a pagoda. Visitors are almost alway welcome. Ray
Zepp's A Field Guide to Cambodian Pagodas is an
excellent introduction to Phnom Penh's pagodas and
Cambodian Buddhism. |
|
| Wat
Sotum |
| Significant
because it is one of the city's original wats, it
was founded in 1422 by King Ponhea Vat. It took
its current name in 1865 and its present structure
in 1937. Of photographic note: The wat compound
is crowded with ornate stupas. Just northwest of
the intersection of Sothearos and Sihanouk. |
|
| Wat
Langka |
| is one
of Phnom Penh's five original wats (1422). First
established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings
and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan
monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings.
Just southwest of the Independence Monument. |
|
| Wat
Neak Kravorn |
| adorns
the western skyline of Boeung Kak lake. This Wat
was inaugurated in 1967 and the vihear houses some
very unique wall paintings. West on Confederation
de la Russie. Turn right at a small street east
of Nehru, go through the train yard. |
|
| Waf
Ounalom |
| is another
of Phnom Penh's five original monasteries (1422).
Until 1999, it housed the Institut Bouddhique and
library. On the riverfront about 250 meters north
of the National Museum. |
|
| Mekong
Island |
Small
tourist boats can be found along the riverfront
north of Street 178. They offer 1-2 hour cruises
along the river from Phnom Penh brings tourists
to this resort situated on Mekong Island. Tourists
can dine in the restaurant, visit the zoo and the
weaving villages, ride elephants and watch traditional
dance performances.
(Capitol Guesthouse runs budget oriented half-day
Mekong cruises for 10$/preson.) |
|
| Sunset
Cruise on the Mekong & Tonle Sap |
| A one-hour
cruise from the capital takes you along the river
to watch the daily life of the people living on
and around the rivers. You'll enjoy a magnificent
sunset, when the reflected rays of the setting sun
cast a golden glow across the river. |
