PHNOM PENH CITY
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. The main capital since the French colonized Cambodia. Situated at confluence of Tonle Sap, Mekong and Basac River.
Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved the capital from Angkor Thom after it was captured by Siam a few yeas earlier. There are stupa behind Wat Phnom that house the remains of Ponhea Yat and the royal family as well as the remaining Buddhist statues from the Angkorean era. Phnom Penh remained the royal capital for 73 years from 1432 to 1505, when it was abandoned for 360 years from 1505 - 1865 by subsequent king due to internal fighting between the royal pretenders. Later king moved the capital several times and established their royal capitals at various location in Toul Basan, Longvek, Lavear Em and Oudong.
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| Wat Phnom in 1886 |
THE ROYAL PALACE
The earlier in 1863 a temporary wooden royal palace was constructed a bit north of the current palace sites in Phnom Penh. The first royal palace to be built at the present location was designed by architect Neak Oknha Tepnimith Mak and constructed by French Protectorate in 1866. That same year, King Norodom moved the royal palace court from Oudong to the new royal palace in Phnom Penh and the city became the official capital of Cambodia the following year.
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| The Royal Palace |
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART
The National Museum was constructed between 1917 - 1924 by King Sisowath, the museum was officially inaugurated in 1920, renovated in part in 1968.
It houses one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including Angkorian era statues, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The museum's collection including 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire, which at its height stretched from Thailand, across present-day Cambodia, to southern Vietnam.
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| The National Museum of Art |
WAT PHNOM
According to legend, grandma Penh or Daun Penh was wealthy widow, which settled on a high land at the west bank of Chrap Chheam River ( Tonle Sap river). At a vast flood season, there were many Koki trees floating to stuck at Daun Penh high land and in the hole of big Koki, there were four bronze and one stone Buddha statues. In 1372 Daun Penh ordered people to pile up earthe at the northeast her house and used Koki trunks to build up on that hill for keeping five Buddha statues, then maned the temple Wat Phnom Daun Penh (Wat Phnom).
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| Wat Phnom |
TUOL SLENG MUSEUM
In 1975 Toul 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). This soon became the largest center of detention and torture in the country. Between 1975-1978 more than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the killing field of Cheung Ek.
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| Tuol Slang Genocide Museum |
THE KILLING FIELD
Between 1978-1979 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants who had been detained and tortured at S-21 were transported to the extermination camp of Cheung Ek. The Killing Field where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge Regime.
Between 1978-1979 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants who had been detained and tortured at S-21 were transported to the extermination camp of Cheung Ek. The Killing Field where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge Regime.
MEKONG ISLAND
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| Killing Field |
Koh Dac is the famous island of Mekong River. On Koh Dach, visitor can visit silk weaving village and watch woven on old looms. This island is also famous for its handcraft production, pottery, craftwork, woodcarving, painting, and jewelry cutting.
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| Mekong Island (Koh Dach ) |
UDONG HILL
Udong is former capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618-1866 and a number of kings, including King Norodom, were crowned here. Oudong is not leading attraction, but for those with the time it's worth the visit.
Udong is former capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618-1866 and a number of kings, including King Norodom, were crowned here. Oudong is not leading attraction, but for those with the time it's worth the visit.
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| Udong Hill (Old Capital) |
KIEN SVAY RESORT
Kien Svay is a very popular picnic area on a small tributary of the Mekong. Hundred of bamboo huts have been built over the water and Khmers love to come here on the weekend and sit around gossiping and munching.
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| Kien Svay Resort |
TA PROHM TEMPLE
Tonle Batie is the collective name for a pair of old Angkorian era.
The laterite temple of Ta Prohm was built by king Jayavarman VII (1181-1219) on the site of an ancient 6th century Khmer shrine. Today the ruined temple is surrounded by colorful flowers and plant, affording some great photo opportunities.
PHNOM TAMAO ZOO
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| Ta Prohm Temple |
The Phnom Tamao area is a popular destination for weekend holidayers from Phnom Penh, offering picnicking, a zoo and some minor Angkorian-era ruins. The Ta Khmau Zoological Gardens is Cambodia’s newest and best zoo displaying a variety of animals including lions, tigers, bears, birds and more. An 11th century, Suryavarman I temple ruin in very poor condition (Prasat Tamao) sits at the top of Phnom Tamao.
CHISOR MOUNTAIN TEMPLE
The 11th century Brahma templ was built under the King Suryavarman I and constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone, the complex is surrounded by the partially ruined walls of a 2.5m-wide gallery with windows. Inscription found here date from the 11th century, when this site was known as Suryakiri. The is a spectacular view of the temples and plains from the roofless gallery opposite the main temple is a modern Buddhist Vihara that is used by resident monks. Chisor via National road Nº 2 and Samroung districk, Takeo.
CHISOR MOUNTAIN TEMPLE
The 11th century Brahma templ was built under the King Suryavarman I and constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone, the complex is surrounded by the partially ruined walls of a 2.5m-wide gallery with windows. Inscription found here date from the 11th century, when this site was known as Suryakiri. The is a spectacular view of the temples and plains from the roofless gallery opposite the main temple is a modern Buddhist Vihara that is used by resident monks. Chisor via National road Nº 2 and Samroung districk, Takeo.
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| Chisor Temple |
PHNOM DA TEMPLE
Angkor Borei has been continuously inhabited for at least 2500 years and has yielded artifacts dating from the Neolithic period, the Funan period (4th/5th century AD) and Chenla (8th century AD) as well as the later Angkorian period (9th-15th century AD). There are no significant temple ruins at Angkor Borei but there is a very interesting little museum displaying artifacts from the area and providing information on recent archaeological digs.
About 20km from Angkor Borei is the hill of Phnom Da, crowned by an impressive 11th century Angkorian era brick and sandstone Prasat (tower) displaying some carvings in good condition. This structure was probably an upgrade of an previously existing 7th or 8th century structure. The temple was constructed under King Rudravarman and dedicated to Shiva
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| Phnom Da Temple |
KIRIROM NATION PARK
The hill station of Kirirom, set amid lush forest and pine groves, has been established national park. There are several small waterfall in the park, which are popular picnic spot for Khmer and a number of basic walking trial.
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| Kirirom National Park |
THE NIGHT CLUB
Phnom Penh is a surprisingly good little party town, offering a dusk till dawn nightlife and a variety of places from which to choose - dance clubs, sports bars, neighborhood pubs, karaoke, upscale clubs and more.
Bars and clubs are scattered across the town but as the city is fairly compact it’s never more than a five or ten minute ride between places, usually less. And there are several little clusters of bars and nightspots around town allowing you to hop easily from one to the next.
SHOPPING
For Cambodian souvenirs, art, silks, handicrafts and curios, both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer an ever growing range and variety of shopping opportunities and products. Traditional Cambodian souvenirs include fine hand-loomed silks, Angkorian and Buddhist themed carvings and statuary, hand-pounded silverwork, colored gems, traditional handicrafts, Cambodian basketry and of course, the most traditional of all Cambodian souvenirs, the krama - a checkered scarf unique to the Khmer people and tourists in Cambodia. The traditional markets, especially Phsar Toul Thom Pong (Russian Market) and Phsar Thmey (Central Market) both offer excellent selections of traditional souvenirs as well as a unique local shopping experience. But there is much more to the Phnom Penh shopping scene these days. Fine boutiques and art galleries offer unique, sophisticated selections of high-quality contemporary Asian art, custom tailored EuroAsian fashions in Khmer silk, home decor and, of particular interest, the artistic works of a new generation of Cambodian artists, coming to the fore after decades of near silence. Several boutiques are Lucky, Pailin Souvenir Shop and others.
APSARA DANCING
This Apsara dance dates back to the 12th century. In the late 20th century Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge almost succeeded in wiping it out for ever. But it survives! Set up 10 years ago, the Apsara Arts Association is located in Thmey district -- west of Phnom Penh. The 130 students at the school range in age from four to 23. A significant number are orphans. The school provides accommodation for them. They practise dance in the morning and study in the afternoon. The photo reportage was carried out in November 2006.
SHOOTING RANGE
Bars and clubs are scattered across the town but as the city is fairly compact it’s never more than a five or ten minute ride between places, usually less. And there are several little clusters of bars and nightspots around town allowing you to hop easily from one to the next.
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| Walkabout Bar |
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| Shang Hai Bar |
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| Sharky Bar |
SHOPPING
For Cambodian souvenirs, art, silks, handicrafts and curios, both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer an ever growing range and variety of shopping opportunities and products. Traditional Cambodian souvenirs include fine hand-loomed silks, Angkorian and Buddhist themed carvings and statuary, hand-pounded silverwork, colored gems, traditional handicrafts, Cambodian basketry and of course, the most traditional of all Cambodian souvenirs, the krama - a checkered scarf unique to the Khmer people and tourists in Cambodia. The traditional markets, especially Phsar Toul Thom Pong (Russian Market) and Phsar Thmey (Central Market) both offer excellent selections of traditional souvenirs as well as a unique local shopping experience. But there is much more to the Phnom Penh shopping scene these days. Fine boutiques and art galleries offer unique, sophisticated selections of high-quality contemporary Asian art, custom tailored EuroAsian fashions in Khmer silk, home decor and, of particular interest, the artistic works of a new generation of Cambodian artists, coming to the fore after decades of near silence. Several boutiques are Lucky, Pailin Souvenir Shop and others.
APSARA DANCING
This Apsara dance dates back to the 12th century. In the late 20th century Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge almost succeeded in wiping it out for ever. But it survives! Set up 10 years ago, the Apsara Arts Association is located in Thmey district -- west of Phnom Penh. The 130 students at the school range in age from four to 23. A significant number are orphans. The school provides accommodation for them. They practise dance in the morning and study in the afternoon. The photo reportage was carried out in November 2006.
SHOOTING RANGE
Shooting Range is funny and popular place for tourist about 15Km from Phnom Penh.
There are all kind of guns as shot gun, AK47, M16, M30, M60, Revolvers, Grenade, Machine Gun and Rocket Launcher etc...
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| M30 |
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| Machine Gun |
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| Rocket Launcher |
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| Rocket Launcher |
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| Shooting Club |
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| Shooting Club |
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| All kind of guns |
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| AK47 |
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| Tommy Gun |
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| M16 |
GO-KART
Kambol Go-Karting offers go-carting fun for individuals and groups. Explorer, 6.5hp go-carts for rent. 990m track with 11 turns, a small hill and a 150m straight away. Open 9AM-6PM. Located in Kambol Village, off Route #4, about 7km past the airport.
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| Go-Kart |
GOLF CLUB
Cambodia offers a limited but slowly growing number of golf courses. The Cambodia Golf and Country Club is the best and most popular 18-hole course in the Phnom Penh area, sitting about 35km from the city. There are now three comparative new courses in and near Siem Reap Angkor in the west of Cambodia.
CAMBODIA GOLFING CLUB
Cambodia's first golf course and the most popular in the Phnom Penh area. 18 hole golf course spread over 120 acres, palm trees, several water features. Clubhouse, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis courts.
Golf Course: Rte #4, 35km south of Phnom Penh.
