  Cambodia's capital is a vibrant bustling city nestled majestically on the banks of the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. These rivers then split again, at the Mekong and the Tonle Bassac, at a place known to the Khmers as Chaktomuk, meaning four faces. Phnom Penh is a veritable oasis compared to the modern nature of other Asian capitals. With wide tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings, Phnom Penh still reflects the colonial days of this former French playground. Many French colonial buildings are still in evidence today and add to the charm and ambience of the city.
The area surrounding the Royal Palace has magnificent Khmer towers and remains particularly delightful. There are many open spaces and parks in the city that the locals use for recreation and relaxation. Pedaled rickshaws, called cyclos, still ply the streets as in colonial days, providing an excellent vehicle for sightseeing.
Three of Phnom Penh’s most interesting sights, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the Royal Palace, stand conveniently next to each other close to the banks of the Tonle Sap River in the centre of town.
 The Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, was originally built from wood in 1892 but in 1962 it was rebuilt by King Norodom in concrete and marble. The pagoda gets its name from the 5000 silver tiles that cover the floor. It is also known for its two Buddha statues, a 90kg solid gold Buddha and the Emerald Buddha, which is actually made of crystal. Interestingly this was one of the few temples in Cambodia to survive intact throughout the Khmer Rouge regime.
The National Museum, built in 1917 in traditional Khmer style, houses the world's largest collection of ancient Khmer artifacts dating from the 4th to the 13th centuries. In addition to housing the largest collection of Khmer art in the world the National Museum also has the distinction of housing the world’s largest bat colony living in a man-made structure. Each evening when the sun sets great clouds of bats stream out of the museum roof and fill the sky.
The Royal Palace, which is still the residence of the King and Queen of Cambodia, is closed to visitors but this beautiful building and its palatial gardens are still visible from the outside and are well worth seeing. The Royal Palace is located between the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
Wat Phnom, the temple from which Phnom Penh takes its name, was originally built in 1372 on the only hill in town. The site contains .jpg) some good examples of Khmer architecture and is a favourite weekend picnic spot for locals.
Of the many markets in Phnom Penh, the Art Deco style Central Market with its huge domed roof is the best known selling everything from carved stone heads to fruit and vegetables.
For a chilling reminder of the brutalities committed under the Khmer Rouge regime visit either the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former detention and torture centre in the city, or Choeung Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields, a 15km drive out of town.
Interesting day trip options from Phnom Penh include Mekong Island for a glimpse of rural life and a day trip to the temple ruins of the 11th century Phnom Chisor and the 12th century Ta Prohm.
Newly introduced speed boats between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, including some overnight boats with cabins, take just four hours to complete the journey and offer exciting new possibilities.
Phnom Penh Highlights
§ The National Museum for the world’s greatest collection of Khmer sculpture and the world’s largest roof-living bat colony
§ The Silver Pagoda for silver tiles, crystal and gold Buddhas
§ The Central Market for Art Deco architecture and bargain hunting
§ Tuol Sleng Museum and Choeung Ek for a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge
§ A day trip to the hill-top Phnom Chisor temple and the lakeside Ta Prohm temple |
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