What to See in Phnom Penh
Of course, when one goes to Cambodia, one has to go to Siem Reap (about four hours drive from Phnom Penh) to visit the Angkor Wat and the other ancient temples. But the capital Phnom Penh also has a lot to offer on its own.
One of my favorite tourist places in Phnom Penh is the Royal Palace, which in my opinion could rival the palaces in other Asian countries as well as in Europe.
(Guide’s note: the Palace was built in 1866, and still serves as the residence of the Royal Family. Visitors will only be permitted to see the Silver Pagoda and the nearby buildings – the rest of the complex is out of bounds, to protect the Royal Family’s privacy.)
- Opening Hours: 7:30am-11:00pm; 2:00pm-5:00 pm[/span]
- Entry Fees: US$3.00 per adult. Visitors will be charged $2.00 to bring their cameras inside, and $5.00 for video cameras. [/span]
There is also the National Museum which houses Angkorian artifacts. (Guide’s note: The Museum was opened in 1920, and displays over 5,000 objects ranging from Angkor-era statuary to post-Angkor Buddha figures. Outside the Museum, a large selection of art galleries can be found on Street 178.)
- Opening Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm, open everyday
- Entry Fees: $3.00 per adult. Visitors will be charged $1.00 to bring their cameras inside.
- Address: Ang Eng (St. 13), corner Street 184, 12206
- Telephone: 023 211 753; 012 873 707
And of course, to explore Cambodia’s dark history during the Khmer Rouge era, I could also bring visitors to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. I always have to warn my guests beforehand of the impending gloom which usually follow visits to these sites which are witness to the horrific and brutal period of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
- Address: Corner of Street 113 & Street 350
- Entry Fees: $2.00
- Opening Hours: Open everyday, including holidays, 8AM-5PM. Closed for lunch.
Killing Fields
- Address: 15 km southwest of Phnom Penh
One place which most of my visitors always enjoy is the Toul Tompong or the Russian Market where one could buy Cambodian souvenirs such as semi-precious stones, silk, silver, and wood products. Garments is one of Cambodia’s major exports and one could also buy authentic branded clothes such as Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, etc. from this market at rock-bottom prices!
