Interesting places in Phnom Penh:

Gold Tower 42		Chey Chumnas
Phsar Thmei 3		Phsar Thmei
Wat Phnom		Sras Chork
Phsar Thmei 2		Veal Vong
Boeung Kok 2		Choeung Ek The Killing Fields
Phsar Kandal 1		Boeung Trobek
Boeung Raing		Chak Tomuk
Throne Hall		Toul Svay Prey 1
Lakeside guest house area		Tonle Bassac
Raffles Hotel Le Royal		DHL
Orussey		Monorom
បឹងកក Boeng Kak Lake		Phsar Chas
National Road N 5

Phnom Penh (Khmer: ; official Romanization: Phnum P�nh; IPA: ) is the largest, most populous and capital city of Cambodia. It is also the capital of the Phnom Penh municipality.

• Sisowath Quay is an attractive boulevard running along the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap, and is fronted by a pleasant park. The built-up side of the street is home to cafés and shops and the better class of bar, and is extremely popular with tourists and expat Westerners. The esplanade along the river is equally popular with Cambodians, who come here in the cool of the evening to enjoy the quasi-carnival atmosphere. It begins at the Royal Palace (or rather, at the river-front park opposite the Palace), and is perhaps best experienced in the early evening. See for a self-guided tour.

• The Royal Palace and the two magnificent pagodas in the Palace Grounds, the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, are among the few public buildings in Phnom Penh really worth seeing. They were built in the 19th century with French technology and Cambodian designs, and have survived the traumas of the 20th century amazingly intact. See them early before it gets too hot. They are in any case closed 11:00-14:00, when all sensible Cambodians take a nap. Entrance fee is US$6.25 (25000 riel) for both. No extra fee for camera. No photography is allowed inside the Silver Pagoda and some of the Palace buildings. You're expected to dress decently (no bare legs or shoulders), but you can rent sarongs and oversized T-shirts for a token 1000 riel (plus US$1 deposit) at the entrance.

• The National Museum (opposite the Royal Palace; admission US$3). Contains an excellent collection of art from Cambodia's "golden age" of Angkor, and a lovely courtyard at the center. Main attraction is the statue of King Jayavarman VII (1181-1219) in mediation pose. Unfortunately, no photos may be taken. The pleasant little park in front of the Museum is the site of the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, at which the success or otherwise of the coming harvest is determined. You may have heard stories of sightseers carrying umbrellas inside to avoid showers of bat droppings, but alas (?), the bats moved out after the renovation of 2002.

• Wat Phnom (admission US$1) is on a hill at the center of a small park near Sisowath Quay, on St. 94. The temple itself is notable more for its historic importance than what you'll see there today, but the park is a pleasant green space and a popular gathering place for locals. A few monkeys keep quarters there as well and will help themselves to any drinks you've left unattended. If you like, take a ride on the elephant there. His owner is kind of inventory of Wat Phnom and always nice to tourists.

• Independence and Liberation memorials - impressive Buddhist-style Independence Memorial, commemorating the departure of the French in 1953, dominates the centre of the city. Nearby is the very ugly Stalin-style Liberation Memorial, marking the Vietnamese capture of the city in 1979. Although the Cambodians were glad to see the back of the Khmer Rouge, they don't like the Vietnamese much either, and have demonstrated this by neglecting the memorial for 20 years. It seems to be used mainly as a convenient urinal.

• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) (Street 113, Boeng Keng Kang 3, Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh; tel. 855-23-300-698, fax 855-23-210-358) was a school converted into Cambodia's most important prison in 1975. More than 14,000 people were tortured here before being killed at the Killing Fields south of Phnom Penh; only 8 prisoners made it out alive. The museum is easily accessible and a must-see for everyone interested in Cambodia's horrific recent past. The infamous "skull map" has been dismantled, although there are still skulls stacked in cabinets, implements of torture and disturbing photographs. For a introduction and further reading, try David Chandler's "Voices from S-21" . Documentary movie "S-21" can be purchased throughout Phnom Penh for $1.50 or $2.00

• * The Documentation Center of Cambodia (66 Preah Sihanouk Blvd. P.O. Box 1110 Phnom Penh; tel. 855-23-211-875, fax 855-23-210-358) manages the museum as part of its mission to record the history of the Khmer Rouge and gather evidence, should any Khmer Rouge leaders ever be brought to trial.

• The Killing Fields at Cheoung Ek (Entrance fee US$2), about 17km south of Phnom Penh, is where the Khmer Rouge killed many thousands of their victims during their four-year reign of terror. Today the site is marked by a Buddhist stupa packed full of human skulls - the sides are made of glass so the visitors can see them up close. There are also pits in the area where mass graves were unearthed. It is a serene yet somber place.

• Stung Meanchey Garbage Dump. Where hundreds of the poorest of the poor, including many small children, swarm over the refuse hoping to find anything of value. A certain type of tourist visits this place - if it's you, make sure you stop by the NGO "Pour sourire un enfant" , which helps the children of this place, and make a donation.

Itineraries

• - a half-day tour connecting together sightseeing, eating and shopping

Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia
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Torture Room at S-21 (Tuol Sleng)
Made by Rob Luzecky
Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, named after a Royal ancestor of King Norodom Sihanouk, the five buildings of the complex were converted in 1975 into a prison and interrogation centre. The Khmer Rouge renamed the complex Security Prison 21 (S-21) and construction began to adapt the prison to the inmates: the buildings were enclosed in electrified barbed wire, the classrooms converted into tiny prison and torture chambers and all the windows were covered with iron bars and barbed wire to prevent prisoner escapes. From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 17,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng (some estimates suggest a number as high as 20,000, though the real number is unknown). The prisoners were selected from all around the country, and usually were former Khmer Rouge members and soldiers, accused of treason. Those arrested included some of the highest ranking communist politicians such as Khoy Thoun, Vorn Vet and Hu Nim. Although the official reason for their arrest was espionage, these men may have been viewed by Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot as potential leaders of a coup against him. Prisoners' families were often brought en masse to be interrogated and later murdered at the Choeung Ek extermination centre. Even though the vast majority of the victims were Cambodian, foreigners were also imprisoned, including Vietnamese, Laotians, Indians, Pakistanis, Britons, Americans, New Zealanders and Australians. Most non-Cambodians had been evacuated or expelled from the country and those who remained were seen as a security risk. A number of Western prisoners passed through S-21 between April 1976 and December 1978. Mostly these were picked up at sea by Khmer Rouge patrol boats. They included four Americans, three French, two Australians, a Briton and a New Zealander. One of the last prisoners to die was American Michael Scott Deeds, who was captured with his friend Chris De Lance while sailing from Thailand to Hawaii. In 1979, the prison was uncovered by the invading Vietnamese army. In 1980, the prison was reopened as a historical museum memorializing the actions of the Khmer Rouge regime. The museum is open to the public, and receives an average of 500 visitors every day. Life in the prison: Upon arrival at the prison, prisoners were photographed and required to give complete biographical information. After that, they were forced to strip naked, and all their possessions were removed. The prisoners were then taken to their cells. Those taken to the smaller cells were shackled to the walls. Those who were held in the large mass cells were collectively shackled to long pieces of iron bar. The prisoners had to sleep on the floors, while still shackled. The prison had very strict regulations, and severe beatings were inflicted upon any prisoner who tried to disobey. Almost every action had to be approved by one of the prison's guards. They were sometimes forced to eat human feces and drink human urine. Likewise, sanitary and health conditions were awful. The unhygienic living conditions caused skin diseases, lice, and other ailments, and few of the inmates ever received any kind of medical treatment. Tortures and extermination: The torture system at Tuol Sleng was designed to make prisoners confess to whatever crimes they were charged with by their captors. Prisoners were tortured with electric shocks, searing hot metal instruments and hanging, as well as through the use of various other devices. Although many prisoners died from this kind of abuse, killing them outright was discouraged, since the Khmer Rouge needed their confessions. Typical confessions ran into thousands of words in which the prisoner would interweave true events in their lives with imaginary accounts of their espionage activities for either the CIA or KGB. This was possibly the only incidence in the Cold War when both intelligence agencies were considered enemies as the Soviets were aligned with the Vietnamese. The confession of Hu Nim ended with the words I am not a human being, I'm an animal. A young Englishman named John Dawson Dewhirst who was arrested in August 1978 claimed to have joined the CIA at age 12 upon his father receiving a substantial bribe from a work colleague, also an agent. Physical torture was combined with sleep deprivation and deliberate neglect of the prisoners. The torture implements are on display in the museum. The vast majority of prisoners were innocent of the charges against them and their confessions produced by torture. After the interrogation, the prisoner and their family were taken to the Choeung Ek extermination center, fifteen kilometers from Phnom Penh. There, they were killed by being battered with iron bars, pickaxes, machetes and many other makeshift weapons. Victims of the Khmer Rouge were seldom shot as bullets were viewed as too precious for this purpose. Survivors of Tuol Sleng: Out of an estimated 17,000 people imprisoned at Tuol Sleng, there were only eight known survivors. Only four of them are thought to be still alive: Vann Nath, Chum Mey, Bou Meng and Chim Math, the only woman among the survivors. All three of the men were kept alive because they had skills their captors judged to be useful.


Phnom Penh's beach
Made by Thomas Cristofoletti
More photos here -> www.punto14.net/blog/2010/12/18/boeung-kak%C2%A0lake/ Cambodia (for what I had the opportunity to discover during this month here) is a continue source of incredible and tragic stories that in most cases happen through the indifference of the same cambodian people (and, of course of the international comunity and NGOs). This is not a story but just a little dive in what is happening in the center of Phnom Penh, a place that in the past was famous all around Asia as an oasis for backpackers and where houndreds of people lived. This is the price Cambodia is paying for his development and as always at the expense of the poor people. This photos try to show what remains of the Boeung Kak Lake and what remains of the people who lived along his shores. But what’s really happening here? Because of the real estate business in 2007, the government decided to sell this area to the cambodian enterprise Shukako Inc. (but rumors say that behind this there’s a bigger korean one) for 79 milions US$. They started to force people to leave their houses (giving them insufficient compensation) and to dry all the surface of the lake and filling with sand. According to the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) 4000 families (something like 30.000 people) were affected by this problem. Today it remains in the area only a 30% of the original number of habitants. I had the possibility (thanks to Sara and Reach) to visit what is maybe the last village still in the area. They live along the old railway in simple wooden houses, most of them working on collecting and recyclying garbage, they are very poor and above all undefended. Most of this people lived of fishing in the lake and now they have nothing! There are no NGOs here, nodoby from the goverment, nobody from the international comunity, just only some spare private citizens and tourists who are trying to help this people. I didn’t have so much time, but I will came back here in february to try to investigate more and trying to give more visibility at this problem.


Dreaming of Cambodia
Made by Kalabird
It's been amazing being home again, and as I pull together a presentation of the work I've done over the past year, I can't help but reminisce about some of my favorite moments in Cambodia. This little girl couldn't speak any english, nor could she swim - it's important to mention this because I met her on a waterslide at the Phnom Penh water park. Her sisters were running up the stairs pulling us barang along and she wanted to come too. One of the sisters told me she couldn't swim, but asked if I could help. She took my hand, a stranger in a bathing suit (rare in Cambodia - as you can see she's even wearing her play pearls along with her shirt and pants), and when it came our time to push off into the stream of water leading into a ravine of tubing twists, I lifted her into my lap and held her tight. She squealed and screamed and was as equally terrified as she was happy. Her grip was almost painful on my bare skin. When we reached the bottom, I'd grab her up into my arms, dig my feet into the cement ground, and hold her high above the water. Once we were face to face again, and she realized not only was she still alive, but having a good time, the smile she gave me had to be one of my favorite memories living in Phnom Penh. Here she is, standing by our inner-tube - her sister in the background. So innocent and strong. So beautiful.


Belated FlickrVersary to me!
Made by Kalabird
Since internet access in Cambodia is a bit scarce, I'll be celebrating my Flickrversary two days late! A year ago on April Fools Day, my friends and Aly introduced me to a website called Flickr :o). Being the tech-geek I am (and that they are), I was interested in Flickr's potential, but the over-simplified interface and slight learning curve made me wonder if there was a better site out there. A few uploads and hours later, I was completely hooked. I've always been an avid photographer, but Flickr was a new incentive and has helped me rediscover the joy and challenges of the craft that I had always loved, but had gone to the wayside when my career took over. In the past year my photography has grown with leaps and bounds, my technique has vastly improved, and the number of photo-friends I have has quadrupled. I love all of you and thank you so much for supporting me this year, regardless of how silly my questions were, or how poorly processed my images :o) - it's been such an amazing ride and I can't wait to see the inspiration I find next year. I'm so glad to be part of this extraordinary community. Love you guys! p.s. This image was also taken with my new 24-105L lens :o).


Chan Chhaya Pavilion
Made by papaija2008
at the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. June 2008. The Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya (Moonlight Pavilion), is an open-air pavilion that serves as stage for Khmer classical dance in the past and present. It is one of the most notable buildings of the palace as it easily seen from the outside as it was built alongside a section of the palace walls. The Chan Chhaya Pavilion has a balcony that was used as a platform for viewing parades marching along Sothearos Boulevard of Phnom Penh. The current Pavilion is the second incarnation of the Chanchhaya Pavilion, this one constructed in 1913-14 under King Sisowath to replace the earlier wooden pavilion built under King Norodom. The current pavilion is of the same design as the earlier version. The Chanchhaya Pavilion dominates the facade of the Palace on Sothearos Blvd. The Pavilion serves as a venue for the Royal Dancers, as a tribune for the King to address the crowds and as a place to hold state and Royal banquets. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace,_Phnom_Penh Click >> << to see more pictures from Cambodia.


The Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh – Cambodia. Crystal ball
Made by kees straver
Some things just look better Large and on BLACK…… Enjoy!!! Technique: 1/400 exposure f/9.0 ISO 100 105 mm The Silver Pagoda is a compound located on the North side of the royal palace complex. It features a royal temple officially called Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot but is commonly referred to as Wat Preah Keo. Its main building houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the Emerald Buddha of Cambodia) and a near-life-size, Maitreya Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. During King Sihanouk's pre-Khmer Rouge reign, the Silver Pagoda was inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles and some of its outer facade was remodeled with Italian marble.


Killing Fields Skulls
Made by jssutt
1999 was my 1st trip to Phenom Penh. It's almost obligatory to visit the Killing Fields and the Toul Sleng prison, also known as“Public School S-21” My visit to the Killing Fields was very early in the morning and there was only 1 other couple there. It was very quiet; the morning sun began to shine on the newly built Pagoda housing the skulls of the victims. Oddly it was peacefully spiritual. A very strong presence of the departed souls lingered there.Eavesdropping on the tour guide of the other couple, I learned that the ground is littered with bone fragments. I did find a lot of white fragments in the dirt… whether they were really what the guide claimed or not I don't know. As I moved to the Pagoda, the morning sun was so warm, the light on the skulls so perfect; that I couldn't help but take several frames of photos. As creepy and odd as it sounds, I have very quiet and peaceful memories of that place. Toul Sleng, as I mention on a different photo , is a very different memory.


Ghosts Of Tuol Sleng
Made by VonBannisseht
The former Tuol Svay Prey High School, unfortunately better known as Tuol Sleng or S-21, served as Pol Pot's secret prison during his genocidal rule (1975-79). The former school buildings were enclosed in electrified barbed wire, the classrooms converted into tiny prisons and torture chambers, and all windows were covered with iron bars and barbed wire to prevent escapes. The torture system at Tuol Sleng was designed to make prisoners confess to whatever crimes they were charged with by their captors. From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 17,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng (some estimates suggest a number as high as 20,000, though the real number is unknown). At any one time, the prison held between 1,000-1,500 prisoners. There were only twelve known survivors, only four of them are thought to be still alive.


Art Deco Masterpiece | Central Market (Psah Thmay or New Market) | Phnom Penh | Cambodia
Made by I Prahin | www.southeastasia-images.com
The Central Market was built in 1937 and is a masterpiece of Art Deco design - perhaps one of the finest examples of this era in Southeast Asia. Psah Thmay in Cambodian called Psar Thmei - New Market” It was recently fully renovated and repainted in its original egg-yolk yellow. You can find everything here from fresh slaughtered chickens to expensive gemstones. Thanks to Artie for his excellent photo which inspired me to visit the market on my recent trip to Phnom Penh. 3 exposures tonemapped in Photomatix Pro 4. This new version does such a great job lining everything up that I don’t bother with a tripod anymore. Visit my website: Southeast Asia Images


Tuol Sleng
Made by Civitas Veritas
From Wikipedia: From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 17,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng (some estimates suggest a number as high as 20,000, though the real number is unknown). The prisoners were selected from all around the country, and usually were former Khmer Rouge members and soldiers, accused of betraying the party or revolution. Those arrested included some of the highest ranking communist politicians such as Khoy Thoun, Vorn Vet and Hu Nim. Although the official reason for their arrest was espionage, these men may have been viewed by Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot as potential leaders of a coup against him. Prisoners' families were often brought en masse to be interrogated and later murdered at the Choeung Ek extermination centre.


You Promised!
Made by nabilkannan
Many visitors to this and other orphanages in Cambodia, are so moved by seeing these adorable but disadvantaged children, often promise to send food, books, clothes and money. Some even promise to adopt or foster them. This girl was promised adoption and the visitors even showed her pictures of their home and built up hope during the time they spent at this orphanage, in Kompong Thom province. They never kept their promise and neither did they ever contact the girl or the orphanage. Having said that, I have met many wonderful young travelers who spent months volunteering full-time at various orphanages, doing everything from building schools to selling T-Shirts on the streets - and this really helps the orphanages - in the short term.


Independence Monument - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Made by ethan.crowley
Last night when I was walking through the gardens near the Phnom Penh shoreline, I was struck with the way the lights played on the Independence Monument. I had brought my cheap little tripod with me (I bought the tripod at the local market in March for 10 dollars), so I whipped it out and took a few shots. I've never really done any night photography, so I'm learning as I go. Last night I learned that I need a lens hood to keep out the glare from street lights. :) Any thoughts or suggestions on night shots in general, or this one in particular? Cambodia gained its independence from French rule in 1953, and this monument was built five years later. Taken in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.


la acción
Made by subcomandanta
a veces somos espera. nos agazapamos en el rincón de las certezas y esperamos... observamos, anhelamos, escuchamos, aprehendemos, soñamos, vagamos, respiramos, nos serenamos, descansamos, tendemos las dudas al sol o a escurrirse cuesta abajo.... a veces somos acción. nos rebelamos en el espacio de los sueños y actuamos... caminamos, instamos, cantamos, descubrimos, arriesgamos, amamos, sufrimos, nos exponemos, recorremos, sacudimos los deseos al viento o a chocarse con las olas.... las dos son bonitas. lo difícil es saber cuál nos toca.... a veces los sueños se convierten en certezas.


Torture room
Made by papaija2008
at Tuol Sleng, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. June 2008. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng (Khmer [tuəl slaeŋ]) means Hill of the Poisonous Trees or Strychnine Hill. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng Click >> << to see more pictures from Cambodia.


Hide and seek
Made by hankfever
A cute little girl trying to play hide-and-seek with me. After the game, she tried to beg some money for living. You can see tons of kids like her wandering on the main street of the biggest city of Cambodia. I guess the first word they learned was one dollar, and the first thing they know how to do is put their hands facing up, begging for money. I feel frustrated that I can do so little for them. At the other hand, i feel so guilty for not giving them some money, cause i think it will appeal more and more kids to come... taken in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.


Ties that bind
Made by nabilkannan
Many tourists and visitors (especially young backpackers) spend their time helping at various orphanges and schools all over Cambodia. In the last few months I was fortunate enough to meet many wonderful individuals wth really big hearts. Most of them help for a few days to a few weeks with various activities including teaching, helping with construction, raising funds and spending quality time with the children. This was shot at the Riverside Promanade and features the kids from NOC orphanage with a few volunteers. (Explored on 4th April 2008)


Lake Boys (Cambodia)
Made by nabilkannan
Some boat boys sailing on the Boeng Kak Lake - a popular backpacker area in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Yes! These boys work and some may complain that it's child labour. But these boys are considered lucky, as so many kids have no choice but to be beggars or worse. They live on the water and some of them go to state schools. In the day they help with the harvesting of a vegetable called Morning Glory. In the evening and during sunset, they take locals and tourists out on the lake.


A break from the chaos
Made by Kalabird
A little girl sleeps along the river wall while her mom works a food stall nearby. Even though it's the night before the real races start, the annual Water Festival has begun. Banners are strung, a million people converge on Phnom Penh from the provinces, traffic becomes jammed, people set up shop. Chaos abounds. During my Mom and stepfather's visit during Water Festival to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia.


Cooking by Firelight - Explored
Made by NateVenture
Nikon D700 | Nikkor 28/1.4D Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Day 3 After I took this shot this lady turned around and I must have scared her out of her mind. I waved and smiled and said sorry; we then both shared a laugh about it. Cambodia is such a magical place! Published here.


Making ends meet...
Made by แมทธิว แซมสัน
I met this old lady in Phnom Penh's central market. She was selling a rather unusual service. As a belonging, all she owned was a weighing scale, and asked for a coin to any passer-by. Price of an unreliable weigh: 20 cents; pleasure of seeing a smile on her face: priceless Whilst I appreciate the awards, REAL comments would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.