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Situated on the banks of the Mekong River where its branches converge (Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac), Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia with a population of approximatively one million people. The city still retains a colonial charm of French style buildings and tree lined boulevards towering with traditional Khmer monuments. The recent political changes have encouraged an economic boom, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs spring up around the city. The roads are filled with mostly motors, cyclos and cars. Cyclo ride is a relaxed way to visit some of the many highlights of this once beautiful city, whose classic villas and parks are being restored.
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
The Palace was opened in 1870 under King Norodom. The compound contains the Royal Residence, the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda and other buildings. The palace grounds are open except when the King is in residence. The Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat) is one of the city's most often-visited pagodas because of its display of priceless objects. It draws its name from the over 5,000 silver tiles which cover the floor of the sanctuary. The sanctuary serves less as a functioning temple than a depository for cultural treasures such as the “Emerald Buddha”, innumerable statues, a Royal Litter and other priceless objects. Rarely seen in Cambodian pagodas, turn of the century paintings of the Ramayana epic adorn the outer wall.
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
Before 1975, Toul Sleng was a high school. When the Khmer Rouge came to power, it was converted into the S-21 prison and interrogation facility. Prisoners were systematically tortured to extract confessions, then executed at the killing fields of Choeung Ek. S-21 processed over 17,000 people, only seven of whom survived. The building now serves as a museum, a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime. The prison kept extensive records which thousands photos of victims. When the Khmer Rouge abandoned the prison in January 1979, things have been left in, many of which are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison by Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also on display. The museum's famous and controversial “skull map” has recently been dismantled.
Wat Phnom
A small hill crowned by an active wat (pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh. The hill is the site of constant activity, with a steady stream of the faithful trekking to the top and a constellation of vendors, visitors and motodups at the bottom. Elephant rides are available. The legend of the founding of Wat Phnom is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh.The current temple was last rebuilt in 1926. The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422. Look for the altar of Lady Penh between the large stupa and the sanctuary. The wat is crowded on holidays. It is the busiest pagoda in town on the night of Lunar New Year.
Traditional Markets
A trip to at least one traditional market (psah) is a must. If visitors want to see only one or two markets, begin with the Central Market. This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Before 1935, the area was a swamp that received the runoff during the rainy season. The market offers curios, souvenirs and a cultural shopping adventure. Other markets such as the Old Market (Psah Chas), which carries such items as fruits and vegetable, second-hand clothes, hardware, motorcycle parts and religious items. The markets open and close with the sun but are pretty sleepy between 11NULL am and 2NULL pm.
Choeung Ek Memorial (The Killing Fields)
From 1975 to 1979 the ultra-Communist Khmer Rough regime, led by Pol Pot, controlled Cambodia. During their short reign, between 1 and 2.5 million Cambodians perished, some killed outright, others dieing from disease, malnutrition and mistreatment. Many of the dead ended up in “killing fields” that can be found across the country. The memorial at Cheuong Ek just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery before 1975. During the Khmer Rough regime, it became one of the killing fields - the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through torture and deprivation in Tou Sleng Prison. Choeung Ek is now a group of mass graves and a memorial stupa containing thousands of skulls. |
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