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Phnom Penh
Interesting places in Phnom Penh:Phnom Penh (Khmer: ; official Romanization: Phnum Pénh; IPA: ) is the largest, most populous and capital city of Cambodia. It is also the capital of the Phnom Penh municipality.
Sisowath Quay as seen from FCC
- 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 Prison
- 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
- 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
Top photos chosen by u all:
A ride on the lake
Made by aja
I already promised this boy to ride on his sampan on the sun set. He is very persistent to get me into his sampan ever since I sat on the deck at the guest house that I stayed. The picture is not sharp at all. The sampan was shaky and it was hard to take it without flash. Even more worst I sat at the second row and as friend of mine was sitting in front of me. Had to held the camera above my head. I wish that I have Nikon D80 with VR lens!! So me and a friend took a ride, paid him US$1.50 for the ride. It was worth it!
Riverside Phnom Penh
Made by nabilkannan
The Riverside at Phnom Penh is a 3km stretch that starts at the Royal Palace and goes through the main tourist area (where the famous FCC is located, among others) and ends near the Japan bridge. The strip consists of hotels, guesthouses, pubs, restaurants, massage, souvenirs shops and various other tourist related businesses. View it
Such great heights
Made by Kalabird
Local street-children play on a diving platform above an abandoned swimming pool at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sunset at Lakeside
Made by nabilkannan
Another sunset at the Lakeside, Phnom Penh. The rows of plants you see in the foreground are vegetables called morning glory.
Old French Villa, Phnom Penh
Made by Michael LaPalme
A Khmer man selling petrol in front of an old French Colonial Villa in Phnom Penh near the Grand Palace grounds.
Phnom Penh
, Chan Chaya Pavilion and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh - Cambodia...National Museum Royal Palace Throne Hall Chan Chaya Pavilion Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh Cambodia
Motorcycle traffic in Phnom Penh
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Party in Phnom Penh
A trip to Cambodia, Party at phnom penh....Phnom Penh Khmer Lowell 978 Ra Pride Cambodian Cambodia Party Club Nightlife Mass MA Southeast Asian Asia
Phnom Penh Water Park
one day in Phnom Penh Water Park in Phnom Penh, Cambodia....phnom penh cambodia dookolaswiata dookola swiata water park stopa siekaczka www.dookolaswiata.org
Wok in the street of Phnom Penh
Street restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The foods are just delicious...and great Wok show!!...Cambodia Phnom Penh street restaurant Wok
Cambodia - Phnom Penh (The Riverside) Pt1 of 2
Video showing the riverside in Phnom Penh (Part 1 of 2) Excuse the poor quality, but youtube has totally compressed this. A better version is on
Cambodia Phnom Penh Traffic
Cambodia Phnom Penh Traffic...Cambodia Phnom Penh Traffic kampuchea khmer
Shooting Range in Phnom Penh
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Driving in Phnom Penh
City By Motorbike. More moving camera. Riding around Phnom Penh on a Moto. Typical traffic. Lots of fun. Scenes from a passenger. January 2004
Phnom Penh Today 2007
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Phnom Penh Today (4)
2006...Phnom Penh Cambodia Cambodge.
Cambodia - Monivong Boulevard (Phnom Penh)
Phnom Penh) When watching press the button to the right of the volume bar, this should help to improve the quality....ampgosto11 cambodia phnom penh
Bangkok airlines Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Cambodia
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Salvation in Phnom Penh
a short easy jaunt down Monivong blvd in Phnom Penh. This is a fairly mellow trip, notice how orderly and uncrowded the street is? It's not always
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Wat Phnom, Central Market and an accident....Phnom Penh Cambodia
Phnom Penh today (5)
2006...Phnom Penh Cambodge Cambodia.
Steung Meanchey Dump Phnom Penh
in order to find resellable items. Adults can earn up to $1 a day. Thanks for looking....garbage dump phnom penh poverty ngo
Riding a 250 through Phnom Penh traffic - no soundtrack
A short trip down Monivong blvd (I think) in Phnom Penh. This is a fairly mellow trip, notice how orderly and uncrowded the street is?
Park in Phnom Penh
the others. Only caught the one though. Fun with Khmer music. (Music: Cambodian)...cambodia khmer phnom penh park moto crazy
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