Phnom Penh Sights and Landmarks Guide, Cambodia

Phnom Penh is an exotic capital and the largest city of Cambodia. The “Pearl of Asia”, as it used to be known, Phnom Penh is the cultural, historic, political and economic centre of the country. Cambodia’s rich history gave birth to a unique mix of styles and cultures in the city. Phnom Penh combines elements of French and Khmer influence, and it is no surprise that this powerful mélange is a genuine tourist magnet. Phnom Penh may seem shockingly poor in comparison with Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok, other nearby tourist destinations. However, for the last few years, Phnom Penh has begun to take advantage of its extraordinary touristic potential, and the city is becoming more and more modern, while still preserving its attractions. This Phnom Penh Sights Guide gives you a list of all the must see tourist sights of this intriguing city.

Phnom Penh Sights Guide - Museums and Memorials

Many of the city’s museums are tied to painful events in this city’s history. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum tells the gruesome tale of the over 14,000 people tortured and murdered by the Khmer Rouge. The museum displays a large number of photographs and other artifacts. Until 2002, the museum used to house a horrific map of Cambodia made of 300 skulls, and even today, there are entire cabinets filled with skulls of the victims. The Documentation Centre of Cambodia is an impressive source of information about the Khmer Rouge regime, and it is highly recommended to visitors who are interested in the country’s recent history. Another shocking but inspiring site is the Killing Fields, the place where the Khmer Rouge killed their victims. The site was turned into a Buddhist shrine, but the skulls of the victims and unearthed mass graves can be seen from behind a glass wall. If you want to visit a less depressing museum, you should pop into the National Museum where you can find a large collection of Cambodian art. The building itself is a rather impressive Colonial building which is definitely worth seeing.

Phnom Penh Sights Guide - Notable Buildings

The city’s old quarter is an interesting mix of Khmer and French Colonial architecture. The Royal Palace is a beautiful example of traditional architecture. This large complex built in the 19th century used to be the home of Cambodia’s royal family, after the capital of the country was moved to Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace complex includes the magnificent Silver Pagoda, a temple housing bejeweled golden statues of Buddha. The central market of the city, or Phsar Tho Thmei, is a dome-shaped art-nouveau construction where tourists can find a plethora of local products and handmade objects. This Phnom Penh Sights Guide recommends that you visit Wat Phnom, the oldest pagoda in the city, built in the 14th century and it houses many priceless religious artifacts. The Cambodian New Year is celebrated every year at Wat Phnom.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Phnom Penh
ask now

Things about Phnom Penh you may be interested in

• Phnom Penh Reviews

 

+ list your site

 

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a reviewWrite a travel tip

 

 

Read our members' reviews about Phnom Penh

• Great days in Phnom Penh
  review by MadSuh posted more then 30 days ago
  After Ankor Wat I probably did what few tourists have ever done. I went back to see the sun set and because I had very little time, I actually took a few pictures of Angkor Wat and then found my Tuc Tuc driver to take me to this small mountain. The sun was already setting and so I had to run up...

view all

 

Read our members' travel tips about Phnom Penh

No travel tips have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

 

Community

Members Who Have Been to Phnom Penh

See who has been to Phnom Penh and ask them a question (membership required)

MadSuh ask a question add to friends

SOUDHA ask a question add to friends

nehemia ask a question add to friends

 

show all

 

 

the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...