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Phnom
Penh History
The magic of the Angkor temples and the many prasats
around the country can easily overshadow all else. But given
a closer look. Phnom Penh has so much to offer visitors. |
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| Truly a cosmopolitan right where four rivers converge, Phnom
Penh shows off a mix of French as well as Chinese influence
with distinctively Khmer characteristics. Restored French colonial homes, grand boulevards lined with
giant trees, Chinese merchant houses along the river banks are
reminiscent of a time gone by. |
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| Phnom Penh residents rise early and at the break of
dawn, the streets come alive with the multitude of sounds
from thousands of cyclos, motorcycles and cars as street
vendors busy themselves preparing and selling their goods.
One can also heart roosters crowing! |
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| Must-see in Phnom Penh is the only Royal Palace and its Silver
Pagoda, the National Museum, Wat Phnom, the Independence Monument,
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Field, just outside
the capital. For those who love shopping, there are several
markets that offer handicrafts, silk, silver ware, wood carving,
precious stones from the country’s famous mines, as well
as antique furniture and painting by local artists. |
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| Just a short drive away, visitors can experience vast
open rice fields where farmers are more then happy to
demonstrate techniques for planting and harvesting, unique
to Cambodia. Short day trips are also recommended to the
ancient hilltop Prasat of Udong, Prasat Phnom Chisor,
and the Prasat Tonle Bati. |
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 Also, within easy reach is the newly opened Phnom Tamao
Zoo where some 500 animals and birds from species (many endangered)
await you. Above, a horse-drawn cab on the old Treasury Bridge
in front of Wat Phnom in 1920. Below, Wat Phnom today. |
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