Travel to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation’s primate cityand its economic, industrial, and cultural centre. Before Phnom Penh became capital city,Oudongwas the capital of the country.

Phnom Penh succeeded Angkor Thom as the capital of the Khmer nation but was abandoned several times before being reestablished in 1865 by King Norodom. The city formerly functioned as a processing center, with textiles, pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, and rice milling. Its chief assets, however, were cultural. Institutions of higher learning included the Royal University of Phnom Phnom (established in 1960 as Royal Khmer University), with schools of engineering, fine arts, technology, and agricultural sciences, the latter at Chamkar Daung, a suburb. Also located in Phnom Penh were the Royal University of Agronomic Sciences and the Agricultural School of Prek Leap.

The city was nicknamed the “Pearl of Asia” for its early 20th century colonial French architecture, which included Art Deco works.Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1372, the city is noted for its historical architecture and attractions. It became the national capital in 1434 following the, fall of Angkor and remained so until 1497. It regained its capital status during the French colonial era in 1865. There are a number of surviving colonial-era buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.

On the banks of the , Tonle Sap,Mekong and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population. The Greater Phnom Penh area includes the nearby Ta Khmau city and some districts of Kandal province.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

Located right in the heart of Phnom Penh, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum preserves a tragic period in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime. In 1975, Pol Pot’s security forces took over Toul Svay Prey High School in Phnom Penh and converted it into Security Prison 21 (S-21). Within four years (from 1975 to 1978), more than 14,000 people were imprisoned and tortured here, which made it become the largest center of detention and torture in the country.

Toul Sleng used to be a high school before being converted into the Security Prison during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Displays in the museum focus on main topics: the Khmer Rouge period, the living conditions of prisoners and the impact of this dark period on the present Cambodian society. The visit to Toul Sleng is really a depressing experience, especially more visceral by the displayed photographs of victims hanging on the walls. But the visit there is recommended for those who want to get greater sight about Cambodia bloody history and admire Khmer people’s strong resilience.

Toul Sleng Museum serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge and encourages visitors to be messengers of peace.

Address: St.113, Boeung Keng Kang III, Boeung Keng Kang, Phnom Penh.
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM daily.

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

Royal Palace is the striking structure conveniently located near the riverfront in Phnom Penh. The spired-roof pavilions and ornate decoration of the complex are excellent examples for classic Khmer architecture. There are 4 main structures in the complex: the Khemarin Palace, the Inner Court, the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda.

Being the seat and residence of Cambodia’s royal family since the 1860s, half of the compound is closed to the public. Tourists are allowed to visit the Throne Hall and adjacent Silver Pagoda which is set within manicured gardens. The Throne Hall being seen today was built in 1917 to replace the earlier wooden structure. It is topped by a 59m-high tower inspired by the Bayon at Angkor. Coronations and important ceremonies like presentation of credentials by diplomats are taken place in this hall.

Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda are opened for public visit in Royal Palace’s complex.

The Silver Pagoda gets its name as the floor is covered with 5 tonnes of gleaming silver. It was originally built of wood in 1892 with the inspiration from Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew, then rebuilt in 1962. Therefore, visitors are surely amazed by the Emerald Buddha statue and a life-sized gold Buddha statue studded with 2,086 diamonds. The interior ceiling murals of the pagoda are stunning examples of extraordinary Khmer artisanship with depictions of the Cambodian epic poem, the Reamker based on the story of the Indian Ramayana.

All visitors must dress appropriate clothes covering their knees and shoulders. Photography is prohibited inside the Silver Pagoda.

Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh.
Opening hours: 8 AM – 10:30 AM, 2 PM – 5 PM daily (closed on public holidays).

National Museum of Cambodia

Not only the largest architectural and historical museum in Cambodia, the National Museum in Phnom Penh is also home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. Being constructed from 1917 to 1920, the museum itself is an example of traditional design with a graceful terracotta structure and a serene courtyard garden. Anyone with special interest in Cambodian history should not miss the chance to visit National Museum.

The graceful terracotta structure with traditional design of National Museum in Phnom Penh.

It houses the large exhibits of artifacts dating from Funan and Chenla periods (pre-Angkorian) from 4^th to 9^th centuries; and the classical Angkorian period from 10^th to 14^th centuries.
The visit normally starts from left side and continue in a clockwise direction and follow chronological order.
Photography is only allowed in the museum exterior and courtyard, and not permitted inside the museum.

Address: Preah Ang Eng Street 13, Phnom Penh.
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM daily.

Central Market

Psar Thmei, or widely known as Central Market, is a landmark itself due to the impressive art deco design by French architects. Located right in the heart of the city, this huge golden domed structure resembles a Babylonian ziggurat and used to be ranked as the biggest indoor market in Asia when it first opened in 1937. Even on a sweltering day, the market’s central hall is still cool an airy thanks to its excellent ventilation system. Psar Thmei was renovated by the fund from French Development Agency from 2009 to 2011 and now is in good shape.

Psar Thmei in Phnom Penh with its impressive art deco design by French architects.

The four diagonal wings are filled with stalls selling silver and gold jewelry, antique coins, fake name-brand watches and other such items. Right at the market’s entrance, tourists will be impressed by souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to local handicrafts. When you are hungry, there is plenty of food stalls and colorful fresh produce sections offering classic local dishes.
In spite of the overcharged prices on most products, Phsar Thmei is still the best market in the city for an aimless wander, and photography opportunities.

Address: Street 128, Phsar Thmei 1 Commune, Daun Penh District.
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM daily.

Russian Market

Russian Market is situated in the southern part of the capital city and locally known as Phsar Toul Tom Poung. It earned its moniker as “Russian Market” because during the 1980s, the predominantly Russian expats living in Phnom Penh shopped here. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much but when entering inside, tourists will have opportunities to soak up a slice of local life here with the market’s huge arrays of local produce on display.

Russian Market offers countless chances for tourists to soak up a slice of local life with huge arrays of local produce on display.

A little bit of everything can be found here, like Cambodian silks, local handicrafts, discounted name-brand clothing, musical instruments, silver jewelry and so on. It will be an interesting experience to try out your bargaining skills here.

This narrow and sometimes sweltering market shouldn’t be visited during midday. So plan for an early morning or late afternoon visit. When the hunger strikes, don’t worried because there are some local food stalls around Russian Market.

Address: Street 163 Corner of Street 440, Phnom Penh.
Opening hours: 6 AM – 4:30 PM daily.

Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom – a Buddhist pagoda, stands on a 27 m high tree-covered hillock at the central point of Phnom Penh and is the tallest religious structure in the city. Legend says that a wealthy widow named Penh found a large koki tree on the riverbank of Mekong River. There were four sacred Buddha statues inside the tree. Therefore, Lady Penh gathered nearby residents to construct an artificial hill and erected a shrine on top to protect these sacred statues in 1372.

Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is the tallest religious structure in Phnom Penh.

The grand eastern staircase guarded by lions and naga balustrades is the main entrance leading to Wat Phnom. The temple sanctuary then was renovated several times in the 19^th century and the current one dated from 1926. There is a huge stupa at the west of temple sanctuary, which contains the ashes of King Ponhea Yat. On the southwestern corner of the temple and stupa is a small shrine dedicated to Lady Penh.

Being one of the most important Buddhist temples in the city, Wat Phnom is often busy with locals coming to pray for good luck and success in business and other important life events.
When climbing down the hill to the northwest corner, tourists can pay a visit to the arts and crafts center, where local women and disabled people make and sell ceramics, jewelry, silks and sculptures. The surrounding area offers the pleasant green space to relax and escape from bustling capital for a while.

Address: Road 102, Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh.
Opening hours: 7 AM – 6 PM daily.

Sisowath Quay

Named in honour of King Sisowath (1904 – 1927), Sisowath Quay is a 3 km riverfront strip bordering the Mekong River and abutted by the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. It’s considered as the important commercial public region and home to beautiful colonial-style buildings as well as foreign embassies. With a westernized and multinational vibe, this area is filled with street vendors, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and hotels.

Local daily life is attached to Sisowath Quay from early morning to late evening.

From the early morning, the Quay awakes with exercise sessions and interesting music practiced by “early bird” locals. During the day time, it’s a great place to hang out for both locals and tourists, especially crowded in weekend and public holidays. The portion in front of Royal Palace is used to watch boat races held in Water Festival in the mid-April. If you want to get away from the noisy rush hours of the bustling capital, just join in the sunset cruise departing from the tourist boat dock between 5 pm and 7:30 pm. This is really a relaxing way to soak up the gentle pace of local river life, as well as enjoy the city view from other perspective.

When the sun goes down until midnight, Sisowath Quay become busier with locals getting fit at the outdoor aerobics classes or playing games, and riverside night market opened for sale. Just take a seat at any comfy bench in the boardwalk and observe local nightlife scene. Or sample any delicious local snack offered by street peddlers you stumble on along the way.