The
Must-Visit places in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
1. Royal
Palace and The Silver Pagoda
Royal
Palace
Both
situated in an adjoining complex in Sothearos Boulevard, the Royal Palace and
The Silver Pagoda represents the symbol of the Royal Kingdom.
The
Royal Palace is the abode of the King and is also the official venue for court
ceremonies. There are 8 notable structures inside the Palace.
Silver Pagoda
This
is the official temple of the King and is also a repository for cultural and
religious treasures. The Pagoda is also known as The Emerald Buddha Temple, the
primary Buddha of the pagoda. The temple is named after the 5,329 silver floor
tiles that cover the entire interior of the temple.
The
thing I love the most in this complex is that the grounds are expansive and beautiful.
There are ample of spaces wherein you can appreciate the structures. Cambodia’s
Royal Palace is not as grand as Thailand’s golden edifices but there’s a
balance between the gleaming facades of the building and the green landscape,
like a breathing room to take in the royal atmosphere.
Entrance Fee: $6.50
Opening Hours: 8:00 am
to 11:00 am, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Address: Sothearos
Boulevard, between Street 240 and Street 184
2. National
Museum
National
Museum is the largest museum in Cambodia. It houses one of the world’s largest
collection of Khmer cultural and archaeological artifacts from prehistoric to
post-Angkorian periods.
There
are over 1,800 works of art on display, mostly are figures of buddha in stone,
wood and metal. There are also stone inscriptions, ceramics discovered from
prehistoric sites, khmer art and many more.
The
Museum itself is a monument in red, with intricate roof details and bas reliefs,
surrounded in lush landscape.
The
museum is not air-conditioned but is ventilated with fans throughout. It is also
a little musty and gloomy. Some artifacts don’t have tags and information. But
if you’re more interested in history, culture and the arts of Cambodia, it’s
worth a visit.
Entrance Fee: $3.00
for foreigners / $0.13 for locals
Opening Hours: 8:00
am to 5:00 pm
Address: 13th
Road, Between 178 and 184 Street. Beside Royal Palace and The Silver Pagoda
*Photography is not
permitted within the galleries.
3. Wat
Phnom
Wat
Phnom is a Buddhist temple built in 1300s. The history of Wat Phnom started
with the legend of Lady Penh who constructed a shrine in the city to protect
the 4 bronze Buddha statues she found in a large Koki Tree.
 |
| Stupa |
The
word Wat means a Buddhist monastery
temple or a school. It is commonly used in Indochina countries. Meanwhile the
Phnom was derived from Lady Penh’s name herself.
Wat
Phnom is located in a circular park atop an artificial hill 27 meters in height.
On the top are a stupa, a Buddhist shrine and souvenir shops.
 |
| Naga, the 7-headed Serpent |
The
best view of Wat Phnom can be found on the southwest side. From the entrance is
a large wooden depiction of the mythical creature Naga, a 7-headed serpent, which divides the large walkway. There’s
also the Wat Phnom Clock, 20
meters in diameter placed in the garden. On the upper
part of the clock is a shrine of Lady Penh.
 |
| Wat Phnom Clock |
Entrance Fee: $1.00
for foreigners
Opening Hours: 8:00
am to 5:00 pm
Address: Norodom
Boulevard
4. Phsar
Thmei or The Central Market
The
Central Market is another landmark in Phnom Penh. It is a market of all sorts
in a shape of a big golden yellow dome with 4 intersecting hallways in Art Deco
Style.
Phsar
Thmei was built in 1937 and was hailed then as the largest market in Asia.
There
are hundreds of small stalls inside, selling souvenirs, trinkets, apparels,
household items, jewelries and electronics. Meanwhile on the outer stalls,
there’s a wet market, a street food area, flowers and fruit stands.
The
prices are a bit steep (well, for us Asians) but this is the best one-stop shop
you can go to when in Phnom Penh.
Opening Hours: 7:00
am to 5:00 pm
Address: Intersection
of Kampuchea Krom and Street 63
5. Sisowath
Quay or Riverside at Night
The
Sisowath Quay, or the riverfront road, is a 3 kilometer strip of park along the
intersection of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers.
At night, the riverfront area is buzzing
with locals and foreigners. There are group exercises at night, group dances, and
vendors selling souvenirs and street food and more.
 |
| Wat Ounalum |
On
the other side of the street you can view the Royal Palace’s Moonlight
Pavilion, the National Museum and the Wat Ounalum, plus an abundance of hotels,
restaurants and pubs.
Aside from the 5 places I’ve
mentioned above, the Tuol Sleng Genocide
Museum and the Killing Fields of
Cheung Ek are 2 other famous attractions in Phnom Penh. Both conveys the
dark past of Cambodia’s recent history. Honestly, I didn’t go there because I
simple can’t bear it. But if you’re planning to visit Phnom Penh, this is
must-visit to learn more of Cambodia’s dark history.
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