|
PHNOM PENH (French
Built City)
The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is located at the
confluence of three rivers - the Mekong, the Bassac and Tonle Sap. The
city is divided into three sections - the north, an attractive residential area;
the south or the French part of the city with its ministries, banks and colonial
houses; and the centre or the heart with its narrow lanes, markets, foods stalls
and shops.
Over the past four years, the city has undergone tremendous changes -
businesses are springing up constantly and tourism is once again booming.
Cambodia has one of the most liberal investment laws to further boost managed to
retain its charm and character - cyclos that weave through traffic with ease,
broad boulevards, old colonial buildings, parks and green spaces that reminds
one of the country's French heritage, and above all its people who always have a
smile for you.
|
| |
|
|
A stone's throw away from the
Tonle Sap is the royal Palace built on the site of the Banteay
Kev, a citadel built in 1813. The Palace grounds contain several
buildings: the Throne Room of Prasat Tevea Vinichhay which is
used for the coronation of kings, official receptions and
traditional ceremonies; the Chan Chhaya Pavilion which is a
venue for dance performances; the king's official residence
called the Khemarin; the Napoleon Pavilion and the spectacular
Silver Pagoda. This pagoda is worth exploring. It
owes its name to the 5,000 silver tiles weighing 1kg
each which cover the entire floor. |
 |
|
The emerald Buddha sits on a pedestal high atop the dias. In front of the dias
stands a life-size Buddha made of solid gold and weighs 75kg. It is
decked with precious gems including diamonds, the largest of
which is 25 carats. Also on display at the sides are the
coronation apparel and numerous miniature Buddha in gold and
silver.
The walls surrounding the compound which is the
oldest part of the palace, are covered with frescos depicting scenes from the
Khmer version of the Ramayana.
|
|
INDEPENDENCE
MONUMENT:
|
|
|
 The monument was built in 1958 to symbolise the
independence that Cambodia gained from France in 1953.
The French fully abandonned their interests in Indochina
following defeat by the Vietnamese at the battle of Dien
Bien Phu in May 1954. Independence is marked in Cambodia
on the 9th November. The monument has a unique and
peculiar style and doubles
as a memorial to Cambodian patriots who died for their
country. |
|
|
|
NATIONAL MUSEUM:
The NATIONAL MUSEUM of Cambodia is housed in a graceful terracotta
structure of traditional design (built 1917-20) just north of the Royal
Palace. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 to 11 am and from 2 to 5
pm; entry is $3. Photography is prohibited inside. The School
of Fine Arts (École des Beaux-arts) has its headquarters in a structure
behind the main building.
See more...
|
|
 |
WAT PHNOM: You may also want to check out
WAT PHNOM which sits on a tree covered hill about
30m high in the northeast of the city. It is said that the first pagoda
was built in 1373 to house four statues of the Buddha deposited here by the
Mekong river. It was discovered by a woman named Penh. Thus, the name
Phnom Penh, the hill of Penh.
The people believe that this temple is powerful in that anyone who makes a wish
will have it granted.
It is not surprising to see many people coming
here to pray for protection or healing. Many bring lotus flowers as
offerings for prayers answered.
|
At the bottom of the hill is a small zoo, but its most endearing residents, the
monkeys, live free in the trees.
See more...
|
TUOL SLENG MUSEUM:
In 1975,Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security
force and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21) It soon
became the largest such centre of detention and torture in the country.
Over 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at
Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who die during torture were buried in
mass graves in the prison grounds. See
more... |
 |
CHEUNG EK KILLING FIELD:
Between 1975 and 1978,aabout 17,000 men,
women, children and infants (including nine westerners), detained and
tortured at S-21 prison (now Tuol Sleng Museum), were transported to the
extermination to death to avoid wasting precious bullets.
See more...
|
NEW CENTRAL MARKET:
A visit to the markets and market halls is a must
as they give an opportunity to be acquainted with the country's local produce
and also to buy textiles, antiques, gold and silver jewellery.
The four wings of the yellow coloured Central
Market are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and silver jewellery,
antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes and luggage.
|
 |
TUOL TOM
PONG MARKET:
For some good paintings or if you prefer antiques,
head fro the Tuol Tom Poong Market also known as the Russian Market. A
word of caution though: you need to sharpen your bargaining skills as the prices
here can be outrageously high.
[Back to top]
|
