Showing 1-8 of 8 results
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Independence Monument
Soaring over the city's largest roundabout is the grand Independence Monument built in 1958. It's now also a memorial to Cambodia's war dead.
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Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Rising above the 129 mass graves in the Killing Fields is a blinding white stupa (religious monument, often containing Buddha relics) that serves as a memorial to the approximately 17,000 men, women and children who were executed here by the Khmer Rouge between mid-1975 and December 1978.
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National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum of Cambodia is home to the world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture. Located just north of the Royal Palace, the museum is housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built 1917-20), with four courtyards facing a lush courtyard garden: the perfect backdrop to such an outstanding array of delicate objects.
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Royal Palace
With its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the Royal Palace dominates the diminutive local skyline. Hidden away behind protective walls and beneath the shadows of striking ceremonial buildings, it's an oasis of calm, with lush gardens and leafy havens. As it's the official residence of King Sihamoni, parts of the massive compound are closed to the public.
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Silver Pagoda
Within the compound is the extravagant Silver Pagoda, the floor of which is covered with five tons of gleaming silver. You can sneak a peek at some of the 5000 tiles near the entrance - most are covered to protect them. Rivalling the floor, an extraordinary Baccarat-crystal Buddha sits atop an impressive gilded pedestal. Adding to the lavish mix is a life-sized solid-gold Buddha, which weighs 90kg and is adorned with 2086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats.
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Tuol Sleng Museum
While walking down the corridors of the Tuol Sleng Museum, with their checked tile floors and cream walls, it's not hard to imagine the site's simple origins as the Tuol Svay Prey High School. However, delving into former classrooms shatters any illusion of normalcy. A single rusty bed and a disturbingly gruesome black-and-white photo are all that adorn some rooms, but they stand as testament to the unthinkable horrors that happened here.
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Wat Ounalom
This is the headquarters of the Cambodian Buddhist patriarchate, founded in 1443, comprising 44 structures. The head of the country's Buddhist brotherhood lives here as do some monks. See the statue of Samdech Huot Tat, fourth patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism, who was killed by Pol Pot. Behind the main building is a stupa containing an eyebrow hair of Buddha.
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Wat Phnom
Occupying the city's highest point, Wat Phnom is a quiet, shady and incense-infused respite. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 to house four Buddha statues deposited here by the waters of the Mekong. These were discovered by a woman named Penh, hence the name Phnom Penh, literally 'Hill of Penh'. As well as the temple, you'll find droves of Khmers praying for luck and a few amputees looking for some sympathy and riel.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 results
