Phnom Penh is one of the cities attracting many international visitors due to unique architecture combining of French and Khmer architecture. In the seventies, Phnom Penh used to be dubbed as Paris of the East. Hereunder are extraordinary and splendid tourist destinations for visitors if they’re wondering where to go in Phnom Penh. Travel to Phnom Penh with: Tours Indochina
- Royal Palace of Cambodia – Silver Pagoda
Where: Located on Sothearos Road (between 184 and 240).
Opening Hours: All days of the week from 7.30am to 11.00am and from 2pm to 5pm
Information: This is the first attractive place in Where-to-go list in Phnom Penh. Royal Palace of Cambodia (its full name is Preah Barom Reachea Vaeng Chaktomuk) was built after King Norodom transferred capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh in the middle of the year 1800. Cambodian Kings have been staying in this palace since 1866, except for a period of disruption when this country was ruled by Khmer Rouge.
Royal Palace of Cambodia- source: internet
The palace was built to serve the living of the kings, royal families, and foreign guests. It was also the home to royal etiquettes and diplomatic ceremonies. Furthermore, the Royal Palace is also the symbol of Cambodian Kingdom.
- National Museum of Cambodia
Where: Located between 178th Street and 13th Street, near the Royal Palace.
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm weekdays
Information: The National Museum of Cambodia, designed by George Groslier and the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens, was built in 1917 according to traditional Khmer style and was inaugurated in 1920 by King Sisowath. This is the place where stores oldest archaeological, religious and artistic work of the Khmer from the 4th to 13th century. There are more than 5000 specimens in National Museum of Cambodia. It is the representative of rich and diverse traditional culture in Cambodia. International visitors in Phnome Penh would definitely be amazed at the first time going to this museum. Cambodia travel tours
National Museum of Cambodia- source: internet
Watt Phnom
Where: Located at the intersection between 96th Street with Norodoman Boulevard
Opening Hours: All days of the week
Information: Another attractive destination in Where-to-go list is Wat Phnom (Mountain Pagoda). It is one of the most important temples in Phnom Penh that tourists must go to explore this region. It’s also called as Mrs. Penh Pagoda because a rich widow named Daun Chi Penh helped to rebuild pagoda on an artificial hill after a massive flood.
Watt Phnom- source: internet
Legend has it that the birth of Wat Phnom was closely tied to the beginning of Phnom Penh. It is said that in 1372, Mrs Penh picked up a tree drifting in the river. Inside the tree were four Buddha statues. She built a hill (phnom means hill) and a small temple (wat) in an area where is now called as Wat Phnom. Later, the surrounding area was named after the hill (Phnom) and its creator (Mrs. Penh), therefore the name Phnom Penh was born.
- Phnom Penh Independent Monument
Where: Located in a Big Square, the intersection of Norodom Road and Sihanouk Road.
Opening Hours: Foreigners can visit all days of the week except for Independence Day.
Information: Last but not least, the Independence Monument is a highlight tourist attraction in Where-to-go list in Phnom Penh. It was built since 1958 and was inaugurated in 1962 to mark the 9th annual anniversary of Cambodian’s independence from foreign oppression. The work was made by Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, using almost all traditional Khmer architecture. In national ceremonies, Phnom Penh Independent Monument is the center of the activities. This is where foreigners should visit to experience cultural activities when they go to Phnom Penh on national holidays.
Traveling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, it seems that all visitors can feel that almost all of architectural work and landscape hide some historical stories and cultural value. These features have made the capital of Phnom Penh possess a rather special style combining ancient beauty and modern living.
See more:
The peaceful villages of Phnom Penh surrounding areas
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