Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

The most important landmark of the capital city of Cambodia is the Grand Royal Palace which known as Silver Pagoda by western people. The Royal Palace was divided into many parts according to its function. It was built in 1866 in wood and expanded in 1962 by King Norodom Sihanouk. He had the floor lay with 5,329 solid silver tiles. But the most valuable is the Emerald Buddha and 90 kg golden Buddha statue decorated with 9,584 diamonds. Beside the luxurious statues, there lay a 600-meters long wall in another side of the building, which was decorated with depicting scenes of Ream Ker epic, or Ramayana. Visitors visiting Cambodia must find their time to trace out the most wonderful Royal Palace in the country which can mark the characteristic of the Cambodian culture.

National Museum

Just north of the Grand Royal Palace there is a national museum which was built in 1920 in Khmer-style by a French architect. What you may notice the first maybe the red roof, which was designed in Khmer-style. This is like a bank where every Khmer sculptures are guaranteed. The world's finest Khmer sculpture rankings from 5th century to post Angkorian are guarded. Visiting this place is an unforgotten experience where you can know the world's finest historical sculptures collection. Remember that you are not allowed to take photo here. It is worth to have a guide show you around since they can tell you the information behind the sculptures. There are books about Cambodia at the entrance; you can buy it if you wish to. This lovely place is very calm and you can feel the nature with the song sang by the birds around here. This place is a big deal so Don't miss it.

Wat Unalaoum

The pagoda, located north of the national museum, was built in 1443. This lovely temple is the head focus pagoda of Buddhism in Phnom Penh. It left us a very stunning memory. During Khmer Rouge Regime, the temple was devastated and more than 500 monks were killed. The main reason for why this place, monks in this pagoda was killed maybe that Pol Pot were trying to claim that Buddhism was no longer the head forces of the nation. No one could imagine such tragedy would happen in t e holy place like. The most attractive structures are the statue of Samdech Hout Tat on the 2nd floor, the marble Buddha of Burmese and many other Buddha statues.

Phsar Toul Tom Phoung or Russian Market

Phsar Toul Tom Phoung is one of the busiest markets in Phnom Penh. This place was so called Russian Market because in the past this market was popular for Russian living in Cambodia. It is famous because of its cheap CD, VCD and DVD. Visitors can buy it in a very cheap price; moreover, there are western clothes coming up here from the local factories and thousand souvenirs available in the market both real and fake wood curve, sculptures, small statues, Khmer music instruments and many other things. Many visitors prefer to spend their money in this market basically for souvenirs and clothes. This place should be recommended for its richness of souvenirs and clothes. Most of tourists coming to Phnom Penh never miss this place. You should have your guide along with you if you are coming for the first time.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

This is the most stunning place where it marks blood and pain Cambodians suffered. This place was built in 1960 as a high school named Toul Svay Prey. No one could imagine that this place was converted to be a place to interrogate prisoners. This terrible history started when Khmer Rouge conquered Cambodia in 1975 and ended in 1978. Many kinds of cruel tortures were used to interrogate and punish prisoners. According to documents 17 000 had been imprisoned there and not many people can leave this place alive.

It was promoted as a museum in 1979 after Vietnamese intervention to rescue Cambodia from the living hell. Until now many marks and punishment equipments were left as evident. Visiting this place, you should get a guide with you, as they can tell you the story behind the evident.

National library

The National Library located along road 92, near Wat Phnom provides service from 8am - 11am and 2 pm - 5pm. The National Library was built in 1924. The building was raided during the Khmer Rouge Reginee (1975-1979) as the result all books in the library were destroyed, which seemed to mark the end of education in Cambodia. After the khmer Rouge Regime was taken down by Vietnamese troops and Khmer troops, this educational building was restored and became an important educational constitution again.
Today, the National Library is rich in Khmer documents which you can be accessed to almost what ever you want. Librations are available for help.

Naga Resort

A tall building located east of the Independent monument stands much higher than the nearby building, Naga Resort.
It is a very much well know in Phnom Penh as the best place for gambling. Varieties of games are available in the building and it serves 24 hours per day. The security is very much tightened control to situation that every one playing in the Naga Resort can receive a good security.
Most Chinese prepared to hit this place at least once for their visits in Cambodia. They may spend a day to visit the place even they may not spend a single cent on gambling but most people can’t control themselves if they come to the resort. They serve plenty of services for those who play game in the resort such as free room, free food, and free accommodation and after...

Central Market

Standing at the corner of Norodom Blvd, and Kampuchea Krom Street, and facing to the east, you will see an old yellow building. Psar Thmei, one of the oldest markets in Phnom Penh, is the busiest market in the city. There are four entrances which can lead to the central of the market. Going through the market four entrances, you will see difference of poodles available such as, clothes, jewelry, antique souvenirs, fake product, second hand clothes, and many others. The food hall is available many fresh fruits and fresh food.
The four ways will lead to the central hall, where there is a big watch like the Babylon.
This is the best market to access for whatever your want. But it's famous in over changing, you need to bargain to make sure you won't your money unnecessary. You may get even 50% of the first price from the seller. Around the market, there are plainly of stores selling gold, silver, diamond, phone, computer, CD and DVD available in very wide ranges.

Psar Olympic (Olympic Market)

Located south of Olympic stadium, Psar Olympic has wider ranges of clothes. It is one of the most popular places for local people browsing their clothes and many other products. Many other items include clothes, electronic, gold and silver jewelry. At the south parts of the market, many houses serving transferring money from Phnom Penh to province or from province to Phnom Penh. This service is very much used by Cambodian all around the country since it is fast and reliable. On the north part, there are many pharmacies which serve wide range of medicine.

Choeung Ek Memorial (The Killing Fields)

Located about 15 km from central of Phnom Penh, there is another historical site, The Killing Fields of Choeung EK. Horrible event hiding behind the killing fields was not totally revealed since the victory over Khmer Rouge Regime.

The remains of men, women and children about 8985 were found in the area. There are many human bones and hundreds of graves are left isolated but there is no way to get the exact number of people who had killed in the killing fields. During the war time the place was called S-21 where they used it to tortured and kill the prisoners of the war. Most of the prisoners were shifting from the most stunning genocidal Toul Sleng. At that time those prisoners were killed by tools, blades or other hard tools to save the bullets.

Reaching Choeung Ek killing fields, there are many skulls and other human hones arranging by age and sex inside the glass panels. The tragedy behind the scene always remains inside every Cambodians so there held a ceremony on the 9th of May. These are the tragedy which should not be forgotten and taken as a lesson for the next generation. It is a devastation of human race.

Olimpic Stadium

Olimpic Stadium is the most popular place for doing sport or gymnastic in town. Hitting this place in very early morning is the most crowded time of the stadium. It is the time when everyone enjoys doing different sports. The most interesting activity is dancing. They form groups to dance on the top floor of the stadium and to join the group every individual need to pay 500 riel. The group organizer will start by playing different kind of music and they start to dance in a move that everyone need to imitate. Some martial arts skills such as Kong Fu or Karate are also trained on the top floor. Everyone is friendly and if using polite words in communication. This is a good place to find friends and socialized.

Inside the stadium, there are many places such as boxing arena, volleyball, basketball, football, gymnastic, swimming pool tennis and others. This is the only place for Cambodia to host any kinds of sport.

Independence Monument

Located at the crossroad of Norodom and Sihanouk Blvds, Independent Monument marks freedom from France in 1953 by King Norodom Sihanouk. France had been ruling Cambodia for almost 100 years since 1963 to 1953. It was the time when Cambodian people suffered painful living condition because of the high taxation.

The Independent Monument was built in 1958 modeling the tower of Angkor Wat. Each year on the 7th of January, they celebrate the independent ceremony where the king comes to fire up the pedestal in the tower while many students are invited to gather around to witness the meaningful event of the country. This monument also marks as a memorial place for Cambodia devoted their lives for the glory of Kingdom of Cambodia.

Other activities also happen at the monument. In early morning or evening, many people prefer to come here to do exercise or relaxing. Especially in the morning at about 4:30 to 6 am, there are many people gather around the tower doing their favorite sport.

Independent Monument is a very meaningful place for the nation and visiting here to experience the event of the city.

Royal University of Fine Arts

Located just behind the stunning National Museum, there is a university. Very much different from other universities, Royal University of Fine Arts has a remarkable Khmer style building structures which seem to be very attractive and charming. This may be the most interesting school for tourist since all subjects are related to art. The students are trained to dance, play traditional music, and many other tasks in the field of Khmer art. Moreover there is a circus subject which is very interesting and some handicraft are also available in the school where are many statues and other hand made products come out of the school. Most of Khmer famous artists are former students of the Royal University.

Visiting the school can give you a very funny experience. To get the best spot is to rush here in early morning to see students rehearsing classical Khmer dance. To enter the school, there must have permission for the teachers but it is easy to ask for permission just promise not to disturb the student activities. You can ask for permission to record those activities and you may be allow if you ask in a polite way.