Phnom Penh is the hub of tourist destinations between three main tourist zones in Kingdom of wonder. Phnom Penh, it's self, offers many attractive touristic places inside and outside the town.
PREAH
BOROM REACH VEANG CHAKTUMUK MONGKUL
THE
ROYAL PALACE IN PHNOM PENH
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh was contructed twice:
• The first construction took place in 1434. Then the royal family moved to Oudong, north of Phnom
Penh tin King Ponhea Vat's reign).
. The second palace was built in 1866 and stands to present day. Formerly the Royal Palace was
called Preah Borom Reach Vaeng Chaktomuk Mongkul. The name so given is due to its location
near the intersection of four rivers: The upper Mekong. the Tonle Sap. the lower Mekong and the
Tonle Bassac.
The Royal Palace compound is 435 meters long by 421 meters wide and a high wall, which is decorated with Seima-Shapes, surround the complex. It was constructed in 1866-70 during the reign of His Majesty King Norodom. Oknha Tep Nimith MAK - a leading Khmer architect constructed the PALACE following the conventions of traditional of Khmer architecture.
Most of the buildings include magnificent sculptures and are characterized by many tiered roofs and topped by towers which are symbols of prosperity. The previous buildings were wooden and then reconstructed in concrete, but their original forms have been preserved. The royal Palace is regarded as symbol of the whole nation and all the pavilions are adorned yellow and white, The yellow represents Buddhism and the white represents Brahmanism.
WAT
PREAH KEO MOROKOT
(The
Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha)
THE
SILVER PAGODA
Wat Preah Keo Morokot was built between 1892 and 1902. The original temple was first constructed during the reign of His Majesty King NORODOM in wood and brick. And renovated in 1962 in the style of traditional Khmer architec-ture by His Majesty King NORODOM SIHANOUK .
Although monks did not reside here. It is also a site where the Royal Family the mandarins used to perform royal ceremonies throughout the years according to the traditions of Buddhism. The pagoda is located in the southern section of the Royal Palace compound, enclosed by high galleries. These galleries were used as temporary classrooms for Buddhist monks studying Pali before the school of Pali Language was established in Phnom Penh on 16th December 1930. On the walls of the galleries are murals painting (frescoes) illustrating the Khmer epic -Reamker", analogous with Indian "Ramayana" legend. from the beginning to the end. Famous Khmer artists under the direction of Oknha Tep Nimith Thcal: painted the fresco in 1903-1904. The legend begins in the southern part of the eastern gallery and stretches around 604 meters of wall, reaching a height of 3,65 meters. Today, the weather and microorganisms are gradually eroding parts of the paintings.
The temple is called "Temple of the Emerald Buddha" due to the face& that the main image housed inside is made of emerald. To westerners it is often known as the "Silver Pagoda", thus the silver floor. The floor is completely covered with 5329 silver tiles, each tile weighing 1.125 kilograms. Inside the temple are 1650 artifacts, most are Buddhist statues, made of a variety of precious metals such as gold. silver and bronze, into which diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other precious stones are inlaid.
In front of the immense Bossabok pavilion stands a statue of the Buddha Preah Srei Arya Metreya (the future Buddha) which is made of gold and weighs 90 kilograms including the pedestal and the parasol. The statue is adorned with 2,086 diamonds, the largest on the Bud-dha's crown weighing 25 carats, and a smaller one on the chest weighing 20 carats.
WAT
PHNOM
Wat Phnom, the namesake and symbol of the capital city of Phnom Penh, sets prominently atop an ar-tificial 27 meter hill or 'Phnom' in the northeastern section of the city. Legend has it that Daun Penh. a wealthy widow, retrieved a large koki tree trunk from the river. She had hoped to use it tor a house, but inside a hollow of the trunk. she found four statues of the Buddha. She then ordered for a section of her property to be elevated for a small shrine to be erected to revere the statues. This became a sacred site and people started to settle around the hill: eventually, this became the city it now is. It is here that the city gets its name: 'Phnom' means hill m Khmer and 'Penh' is of course the name of the Lady. Later, King Ponhea Yat (1393-1463), built the sanctuary (Vihear) here when he moved his capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422. The prominent Zstupa immediately west of the sanctuary or vihara ihear) contains the ashes of the late king. The sane-wary itself has been renovated frequently. There are numerous other shrines and other activities on or at the base of the hill. There are gardens that the French iaid out in the late nineteenth century and shrines that reflect Taoist, Confucian, Hindu beliefs and one especially of Vietnamese interests reflected in the shrine Preah Chau.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum. It was officially inauguratedby K ing Sisowat in 1920. The buildings are inspired by Khmer temple architecture and house more than 14.000 items The National Museum contains the world's largest collection of Khmer arts. including sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects dating from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire. The Museum also serves a religious function. Its collection of important Buddhist and Hindu sculptures includes a Post-Angkorian Buddha supported by UNESCO.
TOUL
SLENG
TUOI Sleng Genocide Mu- seum / Security Prison 21 (S-21). A ticket costs S2 for a foreigner - Open daily 8am-5pm. Closed for lunch time. Corner street 113 and 350 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The site was a central torture chamber which was used as the notorious by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from it come to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng means "Hill ofthe Poisonous Trees" or "Strychnine Hill". Formerly the Chao Ponhea Yat High School, named after a Royal ancestor of King Norodom Sihanouk, the five buildings of the complex were converted in August 1975, four months after the Khmer Rouge won the civil war, into a prison and interrogation center. 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 windows were covered with iron bars and barbed wire to prevent 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, although the real number is unknown). At any one time, the prison held between 1.000-1,500 prisoners.
They were repeatedly tortured and coerced into naming family members and close associates, who were in turn arrested, tortured and killed. In the early months of S-2 l's existence, most of the victims were from the previous Lon Nol regime and included soldiers, govern-ment officials, as well as academics, doctors, teachers, students, factory workers, monks, engineers, etc. Later, the party leadership's paranoia turned on its own ranks and purges throughout the country saw thousands of party activists and their families brought to Tuol Sleng and murdered. Those arrested included some of the highest ranking communist politicians. Prisoners' families were often brought in masse to be interrogated and lat-er murdered at the Choeung Ek extermination center. Upon arrival at the prison, prisoners were photographed and required to give detailed autobiographies. begin-ning with their childhood and ending with their arrest. After that, they were forced to strip to their underwear, and their possessions were confiscated. The prisoners v. ere then taken to their cells. Those taken to the smaller cells were shackled to the walls or the concrete floor. Those who were held in the large mass cells were collectively shackled to long pieces of iron bar. The shackles were fixed to alternating bars; the prisoners slept with their heads in opposite directions. They slept on the floor without mats. mosquito nets, or blankets. The unhygienic living conditions in the prison caused skin diseases, lice, rashes, ringworm and other ailments with four small spoonfuls of rice porridge and watery soup of leaves twice a day. They were forbidden to talk to each other.
Prisoners were routinely beaten and tortured with elec-tric shocks, searing hot metal instruments and hanging, as well as through the use of other various devices. Some prisoners were cut with knives or suffocated with plastic bags. Other methods for generating confessions included pulling out fingernails while pouring alcohol on the wounds, holding prisoners' heads under water, and the use of the water boarding technique some-times forced to eat human feces and drink human urine.
Females were sometimes raped by the interrogators during torture, even though sexual abuse was against Democratic Kampuchea (DK) policy. The perpetrators who were found out were executed. Although many prisoners died from this kind of abuse, killing them out-right was discouraged. since the Khmer Rouge needed their confessions. Through the torture system. several prisoners managed to kill themselves, so the guards were very careful in checking the shackles, cells and hidden objects. Much has been left in the state it was in when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison by Mr. Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also exhibited. The museum is open to the public, and receives an average of 500 visitors every day.
They were repeatedly tortured and coerced into naming family members and close associates, who were in turn arrested, tortured and killed. In the early months of S-2 l's existence, most of the victims were from the previous Lon Nol regime and included soldiers, govern-ment officials, as well as academics, doctors, teachers, students, factory workers, monks, engineers, etc. Later, the party leadership's paranoia turned on its own ranks and purges throughout the country saw thousands of party activists and their families brought to Tuol Sleng and murdered. Those arrested included some of the highest ranking communist politicians. Prisoners' families were often brought in masse to be interrogated and lat-er murdered at the Choeung Ek extermination center. Upon arrival at the prison, prisoners were photographed and required to give detailed autobiographies. begin-ning with their childhood and ending with their arrest. After that, they were forced to strip to their underwear, and their possessions were confiscated. The prisoners v. ere then taken to their cells. Those taken to the smaller cells were shackled to the walls or the concrete floor. Those who were held in the large mass cells were collectively shackled to long pieces of iron bar. The shackles were fixed to alternating bars; the prisoners slept with their heads in opposite directions. They slept on the floor without mats. mosquito nets, or blankets. The unhygienic living conditions in the prison caused skin diseases, lice, rashes, ringworm and other ailments with four small spoonfuls of rice porridge and watery soup of leaves twice a day. They were forbidden to talk to each other.
Prisoners were routinely beaten and tortured with elec-tric shocks, searing hot metal instruments and hanging, as well as through the use of other various devices. Some prisoners were cut with knives or suffocated with plastic bags. Other methods for generating confessions included pulling out fingernails while pouring alcohol on the wounds, holding prisoners' heads under water, and the use of the water boarding technique some-times forced to eat human feces and drink human urine.
Females were sometimes raped by the interrogators during torture, even though sexual abuse was against Democratic Kampuchea (DK) policy. The perpetrators who were found out were executed. Although many prisoners died from this kind of abuse, killing them out-right was discouraged. since the Khmer Rouge needed their confessions. Through the torture system. several prisoners managed to kill themselves, so the guards were very careful in checking the shackles, cells and hidden objects. Much has been left in the state it was in when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison by Mr. Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also exhibited. The museum is open to the public, and receives an average of 500 visitors every day.
CHOEUNG EK
The Killing Field
CHOEUNG EK The Killing Field About 15km southwest of Phnom Penhn. The easy way to get to the Killing Field-Motorcycle taxi (Motordup) costs $4-$7 (20-30 minutes.) Motorcycle trailers (Tuk-tuks) charges $8-$12 (30-40 minutes,) Car Taxi costs S12-$15 (20-30 minutes.) Normally all the streets in the town are busy at the evening time from 5:00pm till 7:00pm. You had better leave the killing field before 5:00pm.
What is the Choeung Ek?
It was once an orchard and a Chinese cemetery but became one of the infa-mous killing fields during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). There were more than 17,000 men, women and children exe-cuted at dumping grounds that could be found scattered across the field, most whom had first suffered through interrogation, torture and deprivation in the S-21, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. When you approach the Choeung Ek front gate. you will see a 62 meters high-standing stupa. build in 1988 and designed by Mr. Lim Ourk, some parts designed in style of Royal Palace's architecture, standing as a memorial of the madness of the Khmer Rouge Regime, containing8,000 of skulls and long bones of the dead bodies that found 8,985 in 1980. Behind and around, there are dozen of mass graves which were fulfilled of dead bodies (1975-1979) but still be found some parts ofclothes and small bones so far. Audio guide is available at the ticket counter. A ticket costs $5 included audio guide for a foreigner, $2 excluded audio guide. There is also a small souvenir shop as well. Audio guide can guide exactly the amount of dead bodies in each hold.
(20 km northwest of Phnom Penh — Take road No. 5 to Prek Phnao street). For the complitely differ-ence from Udong. At the bottom of Phnom Prasethi. a pagoda build by concrete, unduly ornate. semi-replica of Angkor Wat and not often used for a film capture of ancient time. local visitors have been mostly there for architectural building sight and donation. Tuk-tuks: $15-$20 for round trip.Motordup: $10-S15 for round trip. Taxi: $20-$30.
The Silk Weaving Island (Koh Dach)
For those who want to make a day trip to tourist places outside the town, the Silk Weaving Island should be the first place. A nearby village which dedciated to almost entirely silk weaving — the hand looms, other dying and spining weels made of bicycle parts will be seen under most of the houses with a glance while you are tripping past through the island, A 18 kilmeter half day trip from Phnom Penh to the Cambodian silks and silk weaving island by I -houre boat cruise up the Mekong river or on land triping. just across the Cambodian-Japanese Freindship Bridge foward on the road No. 6 about 12 kilometers you'll see a sign of The Mekong River crossing ferry dock on the right side. take the Mekong River crossing ferry then let try the dirt roat to the north of island or arrange a visit through a guesthouse, travel agent (for about $10/per-son) or arrange it yourself through one of the riverfront cruise boats along the Sisowath Quay near the street 136. It should be 20$, based on the tourist season, for a private round trip boat. Koh Okhna Tey (The Mekong Island) or weaving house may be the ported point while the boat approached island. Tuk-tuks: $15-$20 for round trip. Motordup: $10-$15 for round trip. Taxi: $20-$30 for round trip.
Udong
40 km west of Phnom Penh. just off roate No. 5 romanised as Oudong. U-Tong and Odong. the abandoned royal city of Udong Meanchey from 1618 until 1866 when capital was officially moved to Phnom Penh by King Norodom. Serveral old and new temples. stupas and other stnictures lay from the southwest to northeast. The hill is crowned will many stupas containing the remains of serveral Cambodian Kings including King Monivong and King Ang Duone.
Tuk-tuks: $18-$23 for round trip. Motordup: $13-$18 for round trip. Taxi: $25-$35 for round trip.
Tuk-tuks: $18-$23 for round trip. Motordup: $13-$18 for round trip. Taxi: $25-$35 for round trip.
Phnom Reap
Phnom Prasethi
If you are visiting Phnom Reap, do not miss this holy hill. The uper hill is a destina-tion for weekend holidayers from Phnom Penh, offering pinicking with the country-side view. Tuk-tuks: $15-$20 for round trip. Motordup: $10-$20 for round trip. Taxi: $20-$30 for round trip.
Phnom Tamao/Prasat Tamao/Ta Khmau
Khmau 39 km southeast of Phnom Penh, just off route No. 2, 1000 riel entrane fee. A popular zoo include a huge area cover 80 hetares for elephants, tigers,lions, bears, birds and more. Furthermore there is an I I th century. Angkorian era temple ruin in very poor condition (Prasat Tamao) sits at the top of Phnom Tamao. Constructed under the King Surya-varman I in the entury before Angkor Wat. Tuk-tuks: $18-$23 for round trip. Motordup: $13-$18 for round trip. Taxi: $25-$35 for trip.
A 133 m !light hill. 42 km south of Phnom Penh, just off route No. 2 An ancient Khmer temple ruin sits on the top of the hill. The temple was built in the 10th '1 1 th century of laterite and bricks with carved sandstone linels and pediments by King Suriyavarman I, dedicated to Hindu divinities Shiva and Vishnu. The 133 m hight hill must be climbed on foot by the 503 steps to the temple on the top of the hill for the quolity of the ruins and the amazing view of the countryside make the effort well worth it. Bus: $5 depart every houres from Phnom Penh. Tuk-tuks: S20-$25 for round trip. Motordup: $15-$20 for round trip. Taxi: $20-$40.
Tonle Batey Resort
35 km south of Phnom Penh. the capital ofCambodia. just off route No. 2 For swimming and fishing spot, Tonle Bali is a small lake and popular picnicky destination for the locals The two Angkrian era temples, Ta Phrohm and Yeay Peau - built under the Jayvarman VII in the late 12th century during the same period that Bayon and Angkor Thom in Siem Reap were constructed, are along on the road. Bus: $5 depart every houre t'orTakeo.Tuk-tuks: $20-$25 forround trip. Motordup: $15-$20 for round trip. Taxi: $20-$40 for round trip.
Phnom Chiso
Kirirom
112 km west of Phnom Penh, just off route No. 4 The Cambodian's first of-ficially designated national park and popular creation site for a weekend picnic with the view of forest, waterfalls, small lakes and animals, lying at 675 m (2,215 ft.) above sea level. The park extends oven the eastern part of the Cardamom Mountain. Van: $60-$80 for round trip.
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