Phnom Penh - attractions

The capital of Cambodia Phnom Penh has a lot of fans thanks to its bright and interesting sights. Indeed, in this big city there are many wonderful places that will tell you about the difficult history of the city and will give a lot of pleasant impressions.

Many Cambodian attractions you can see on your own, but we still recommend hiring guides, as in the main there is no foreign staff working in such places, and this causes many difficulties.

What to see in Phnom Penh?

1. The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is the most vivid sight of the city. It is with her begin to conduct excursions and a review of the capital. The palace became the best example of Khmer architecture and is the operating residence of the royal family.
2. On the territory of the residence you will find another valuable attraction of Phnom Penh - the Silver Pagoda . It housed two valuable exhibits - Buddha statues (emerald and gold). Such statuettes you can not see anywhere. They are completely made of precious material, and the size of the statues impress every visitor.
3. National Museum of Cambodia , where you can see the most complete and very interesting exhibition of historical artifacts that cover the period from pre-Mongolic times to the 15th century. This landmark is on the "mast" list of any tourist.
4. Wat Phnom Temple . The Buddhist monastery of Wat Phnom is an amazing place in Phnom Penh. Actually, thanks to him and there was such a beautiful city. In the temple of Wat Phnom you can see two royal stupas and visit the sanctuary-vihara, which housed 4 ancient Buddha statues.
5. Monastery of Wat Unal . It is one of the five oldest Buddhist monasteries in the city and is considered one of the important tourist attractions of Phnom Penh. To date, the building is the official temple of the royal family. It hosts many rituals and, by tradition, the heirs of the dynasty are baptized.
6. The Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide in Phnom Penh is a unique reminder of the terrible history of the state associated with the reign of the Khmer Rouge, when an ordinary school became a prison in which monstrous things happened. In this building you can get acquainted with the cells of prisoners, tools of torture, things of the deceased, etc.

Monuments in the center of Phnom Penh

In the center of the city you will see two huge, but so important monuments: the Monument of Friendship and the Monument of Independence. They are built at different times, but they are of great importance for the capital of Cambodia. Let's consider them in more detail:

1. Monument of friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam . He appeared in Phnom Penh in 1979. The initiator of the construction of the monument was the Vietnamese communists, who wanted to perpetuate the memory of warm relations with Cambodia after its liberation from the Khmer Rouge. The design of the monument is very interesting: on a high pedestal there are statues of a Vietnamese and Cambodian soldier. They allegedly guard the peace of a woman with a child - a symbol of the peaceful population of Cambodia. Around the monument you will find many fountains and benches, parks, hotels , etc.
2. Monument of independence . This monument in the center of Phnom Penh appeared in 1958. Already by name it is clear that it symbolizes the independence of Cambodia from France. The tower of the monument is made in the same design as the towers of Angkor Wat. This building has become the main venue for political and local events. At night the monument is illuminated with spotlights. Around it there are also many fountains and benches where you can have a great time.