Phnom Penh is the Capital city of Cambodia

  Phnom Penh, Phnom means  Hill, Penh means the name of lady Penh, who founded it in the year 1372 AD, then the hill became the capital city of Cambodia when  his  majesty  king Ponhea Yat  settled 1434 after he left Angkor. Phnom Penh was the sixth, after Nokor Phnom, Angkor, Long Vek, Srei Sonthor, and Ordong. At the late of 19th century the capital city moved in to Phnom Penh again and still remains the same up to now. It situated at the confluence of the three great rivers "Chaktomuka, it  means four faces"  the Mekong Leu, Mekong Krom, Tonle Basak and Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh covering an area of 41 square kilometers and it is a major political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center for domestics  and world  trades. It also offers several cultural and historical attractions. It is a charming mix ancient monuments and modern landmarks which consists of five-star Hotels and international standard entertainment centers.

Wat Phnom

Legend has detailed that, after a particularly high flood, a wealthy Khmer woman named Penh found a tree on a bank of the Mekong river with four statues of Buddha hidden inside it,  She built a temple in the year 1434 to store the sacred Statues. Here we can visit Buddhist Pagoda, Shrines, Stupas of the king, big clock, monkeys, elephants  the Sculptures of king, Concubines and many more. In this place we can the elephants, for elephant ride, monkeys and beautiful surroundings.

Independent  Monument

It was designed by Khmer architect Van Molyvann, Independent Monument commemorates the end of Cambodia's rule by French in 1953. The Naga-motif is one of which can be seen in the historic, cultural and modern day business context, as a symbol of the country. This is the important architecture at Phnom Penh, which was built for memory of our own country after we got independent from French colony from 1863-1953. You may visit here at the late  afternoon.

Royal Palace

It was built in the year 1866 AD by his majesty king Norodom, the Royal Palace still rolls the functions as the official residence of his majesty king Norodom Sihamuni, king of Cambodia. The palace is open to visitors everyday, except on Monday. Within the palace compounds  are the coronation hall, the entrance which houses a collection an open-air theatre for the Royal dance and the balcony for Royal appearances, an open-air pavilion often used for entertainment 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 incongruous Napoleon III pavilion shipped and reassembled in Cambodia was a gift of the French Empress Eugenie in the earlier 20th century. Outside the south-east wall of palace is the house of the white elephant traditionally used for The Royal occasions including the Royal births, deaths and weddings.

Silver Pagoda

It located within the Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda is so famous because of  its floor which is paved from 5,000 silver tiles. All displayed  inside are hundreds of the royal gifts received by the Royal families over the several years.Among the treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted  with 9,584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.The compound also places  Wat Phnom Mondap, consists the footprint of Buddha. The surrounding wall of the complex is the oldest part of the palace that covered with frescos, which is  depicting  episodes of  ReamKe Khmer that so called  "Ramayana".

The National Museum

It locates just at the north of the Royal Palace, This truly fabulous museum set inside a beautiful traditional red pavilion which was built in the year 1917-18 AD is exclusively dedicated to the Khmer Arts. There are many artifacts that took from Pre-Angkorian Period, as well as Angkor period on exhibition. One of the prestigious is a statue of the great Buddhist king Jayavarman VII who was a powerful, great king of Angkor period that ruled from 1181-1220 AD and was responsible for many of the architectural wonders.

Toul Sleng

This is a genocidal prison of Khmer Rouge during they took in power.  Pol Pot's comrades hastily converted what was a high School into a place of unimaginable suffering for some 20,000 victims. It so called "S 21".

Choeung Ek

It is around 12 km south of the city Phnom Penh, it is a famous memorial  built to commemorate the victims of genocidal period of the Khmer Rouge. More than 10,000 people were killed at this Place at that time and were buried in mass graves. Most were brought there after being tortured in Toul Sleng Prison.

GETTING AROUND PHNOM PENH

Koh Dach

It is an Island, which is about 30 km on the Mekong river and about 15km northeast of Phnom Penh. Koh Dach is 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. One can reach there by road No 6A and by boat along the beautiful view scenarios of the Mekong river banks and fishing villages. The people are so friendly and you can learn more about the traditional weaving with the old looms that they still use there.

Udong                                                                                                  

It is a site of the oldest capital city between 1618 to 1866 AD, Udong is located on hill just 40km at the north of Phnom Penh off RN5. It was seriously destroyed during the war. At this place we can be seen many Stupas that took to build for former king of Cambodia such as Chedei Damrei Sampounn, Ponhea Yat's Stupa and Sakyamuni Chedei of Buddha. At the west  there is a gigantic Buddha that is under restored, this  Buddhist temple had been destroyed during the civil war in Cambodia. This ruin is so interesting to visit, too. Near the foot of the mountain ( north side ) had a nice Buddhist temple which in resent year.

Phnom Chisor

It is located on the Top of Phnom Chisor. It was built in the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002-1050 AD) in the eleven century and dedicated to Shiva. it was from laterites  and bricks with carved sand stones lintels and with broken galleries. Over there, we can view fascinated of landscape and rice paddy fields from its top of Phnom Chiso.

Ta Prohm Tonle Bati

It was built in the reign of king Jayavarman the VIII in the 12th century and dedicated to Buddhism. it was from laterites stones with chambers and galleries. the details of Lokesvara we can  be seen at the carved lintels such as the figures of meditation Buddhas and Lokesvaras. Here, we can see many new figures of temple guardians and the reclining  Buddha on the east lintel of central tower.

Yeay Peau

It is a temple, named after king Prohm's mother, is 150 m north of Ta Prohm Temple in the ground of pagoda. Legend said that Peau gave a child birth to a son, named Prohm. When Prohm discovered  his father was king Preah Keto Mealea, he set off to live with the king. After a few years, he returned to his mother but did not recognized her and taken by her beauty, he asked her to marry as his wife. He refused to believe that Peau's protests that she was his mother.