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Phnom Penh means Hill (Phnom) of lady Penh, who founded it in 1372, then the hill became the capital of the kingdom when the King Pohnea Yat settled 1431 after leaving the Angkor town. But the first establishment did not last long, the capital moved from one place to another. The capital Phnom Penh was the sixth, after Nokor Phnom, Angkor , Longvek, Srey Sunthor and Oudong. At the end of 19 th century the capital moved to Phom Penh again and still remain the same up to the present time. Situated at the confluence of the three great rivers “Chatomuk or four faces” of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac and covers an area of 41 square kilometers, Phnom Penh is a major political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center for home and world service. Phnom Penh offers several cultural and historical attractions. It is a charming mix of ancient monuments and modern landmarks which consists of five-star hotels and international standard entertainment centers. Wat Phnom Legend has it that, after a particularly high flood, a wealthy Khmer woman named Penh found a tree on the banks of the Mekong River with four statues of Buddha hidden inside. She built a temple in 1434 to house the sacred relics. Today Wat Phnom remains the highest artificial hill in Phnom Penh and the center of many forms of the leisure activities.
Independent Monument Designed by a Khmer architect Van Molyvann, the Independence Monument commemorates the end of Cambodia 's ruled by France in 1953. The naga-motif is one which can be seen in historic, cultural and modern-day business context, as a symbol of the country
Royal Palace Built in 1866 by King Norodom, the Royal Palace still functions as the official residence of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia and Her Majesty Preah Reach Akha Mohesy Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen. The palace is open to visitors every day except Monday. Within the palace compound are the coronation hall; the entrance which houses a collection an open-air theatre for the Royal dance Troupe and a balcony for royal appearances, An open-air pavilion often used for entertaining and viewing of the King's movies and the King's private residence which houses a collection of Cambodian work from artists around the world. The architecturally in congruous Napoleon III pavilion shipped and reassembled in Cambodia was a gift of the French Empress Eugenie in the early 20 th century. Outside the south-east wall of the palace is the house of the white elephant traditionally used for special royal occasion including Royal births, Deaths or Weddings. The entrance fee to visit the palace is US$2.00 and another US$ 2.5 to bring camera and US$5.00 for a video camera.
National Museum Located just north of the Royal Palace, this truly fabulous museum set inside a beautiful traditional red pavilion built in 1917-18 is exclusively dedicated to Khmer arts.There are many artifacts from the pre-Angkor as well as Angkor period on display. One of the most prestigious is a statue of the great God-King Jayavarman VII who ruled Angkor from 1181 to 1201 and was responsible for many of the architectural wonders.
The River Front The View of the confluence of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap is geographically unique and the area opposite of the Royal Palace . There are parks, pubs, Western restaurants, shops and tourist boats line the way. Walking or cyclo ride along the River front is a must
Toul Sleng This was a central torture chamber of the Khmer rouges during their years in power. Pol Pot's men hastily converted what was a high school into a place of unimaginable suffering for some 20,000 victims (corner of St.113 & 350).
Markets Phnom Penh has many of local standard markets. If you take the time to thoroughly investigate, most things can be found in those markets. It is worth taking time to walk as Phsar Tmei. The huge yellow domed is the place to pick up gold and silver jewelry. Phsar Toul Tom Poung market (Russian Market) offers antique collectors of genuine article. Other markets such Old Market (Phsar Chas. Phsar Orussei and Phsar Olympic) have fewer items of interests to the tourists.
Wat Langka By the Independence Monument , 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 Langkan monks, the wat was named in honor of these meetings. The temple was almost totally destroyed by the Khmer rouge.
Wat Neak Kravorn Was inaugurated in 1967, the vihear houses some very unique wall painting. Located west on Pochentong Blvd. adorns the western skyline of Boeung Kak Lake .
Wat Botum Located just northwest of the intersection of Sothearos and Sihanouk Blvd. , this wat is one of the city's original temples. It was founded in 1422 by King Ponhea Yat. It took its current name in 1865 and its present structure in 1937. The wat compound is crowded with ornate stupas.
Wat Ounalom Is headquarters of the Buddhist faith and again had to be rebuilt after the Khmer Rouge destroyed it.It is another one of Phnom Penh 's five original temples(1422). Around Phnom Penh There are several attractions around Phnom Penh that make good day trips out of the capital, although they are quiet low key when compared with other parts of the country.
Chroy Changva There is a quiet Muslim community living in a fishing village, there on the land which lies between the “Tonle Sap” and “ Mekong River ” before they fuse. The village can be reached by turning sharp right after crossing the Chroy Chongvar Bridge . There is also an old Spanish church north of the bridge. Route 6 starts at the bridge.
Prek Leap Restaurants Road The unique and the longest restaurants road in Asia . Over 4km of many specialties restaurants alongside of the Mekong river. Situated only a few minutes away, it begins just on the other side of the Japanese Bridge where scores of restaurants line the road, most serving Khmer and Chinese food. A couple of kilometers further lie several little roadside corn stands and tables.
Mekong Island Mekong Island is the name given to an amusement park built on Oknhatey Island . There is a model Khmer village, a farm, handicraft production and a zoo featuring elephants, tiger and snakes. On Sundays there are also traditional dance and music shown in a Khmer style hall.
Koh Dach Is the name of an island, about 30km on the Mekong River and about 15kms northeast of Phnom Penh Koh Dach is the traditional silk weaving village of handicraft production, dying and weaving silk on old looms, pottery, osier craft work, wood carving, painting and Jeweler's cutting.
Silversmith Village Cham Muslims have set up silver workshops in their villages beside the Tonle Sap River north of Phnom Penh . It's worth considering a trip to have a look, or maybe to buy .
The Mekong River Mekong River has its source in China and flows down to Myanmar , Thailand , Laos , Cambodia and Vietnam . It crosses Cambodia from the North to the South about 600khs. At Phnom Penh , the Mekong river bursts in to 4 branches: the Upper Mekong, the Lower Mekong (Tonle Bassak), Tonle Sap and dry season the water reverses direction and flows back to Mekong and flows to the sea. Kien Svay or Koki Beach Refers to the beach on the Mekong River in Kien Svay district, just 30mn east on Road No 1. Hundreds of wooden picnic platforms line the shore and float on a lake. Vendors offer a variety of local delicacies especially on weekend. Oudong The site of the old Capital between 1618 to 1866 , Oudong is on a large hill 40km north of Phnom Penh off Road No 5. It was largely destroyed during the war. Little remains of the canals, terraces, bridges and approximately 100 pagodas created by Khmers who want to pay homage to the remains of former Kings. It is pleasant half-day trip that takes you into the scenic countryside outside Phnom Penh . Several buses per day leave from south-west corner of Central Market and the fee is about 4,500r. Choeung Ek About 12kmh south of the city. It is the famous memorial built to commemorate the victims of the Khmer rouge. More than 10,000 people were killed at Choeung Ek and were buried in mass grave. Most were brought there after being tortured in Toul Sleng prison. |
