Phnom Penh: Top Ten attractions in the Cambodian capital
- Anju Chandna
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, offers an eclectic mix of Khmer culture, French colonial architecture and a deep dive into the gruesome past of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime.
Before I discuss the Top Ten attractions in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian Capital, I'd like to give a few tips to fellow travellers.
The easiest way to travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is by road. If you hire a cab, you'll have to pay USD 95.00 for a 6-hour ride. Public transport, like a bus, will cost only USD 8.00 for a one-way trip.
Phnom Penh is crowded, and at times, it can be chaotic. When planning to visit various sites, allow extra time to avoid traffic.
Owing to massive traffic, Phnom Penh is also quite polluted. Wearing a face mask can be a lifesaver.
Many sights like the Genocide Museum and Centre in Phnom Penh follow a very strict dress code for visitors. This is done as a mark of respect to the victims of genocide. The same strict rules apply to the Royal Palace, too.
I've written my top 10 takeaways from my Cambodia trip in a blog post, pasting the link for your reference
We had 3 days in Phnom Penh, and these are the Top 10 things to do in Phnom Penh..
Royal Palace of Cambodia
The Royal Palace oozes grandeur and excellent craftsmanship. Read more about this amazing structure by clicking on the link below
Silver Pagoda
On the south side of the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda, considered to be a masterpiece built by King Norodom in 1892 and rebuilt in 1962.
In front of the Pagoda is a beautiful miniature replica of the famous Angkor Wat. (see picture below)
It has earned the name Silver Pagoda owing to its stunning silver-tiled floor made of over 5 tonnes of shining silver, although you can see only a part of it since most of it is covered by a carpet.
The most striking feature of the pagoda is the Emerald Buddha, a beautiful crystal sculpture, perched on a high gilded pedestal in the center of this grand pagoda.
The opulent interiors include many stunning solid gold idols of Buddha studded with diamonds and precious stones, old relics and traditional masks.
My Tip -
The Silver Pagoda is a must-see attraction in Cambodia, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Khmer civilisation.
Please note that the entrance to the pagoda is from the side; there are two beautiful white-coloured Stupas on both sides of the Silver Pagoda that will instantly catch your attention. The pagoda is a beautiful, large edifice as shown in the picture above. You will be expected to take off your shoes before entering to maintain the serene decorum of the place. Photography is strictly prohibited inside. As you can see, even the video I shot outside has only a fleeting shot of the entrance of the pagoda.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre
The Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, one of the many 'Killing Fields', is a place where the Khmer Rouge regime slaughtered over a million innocent Cambodians under their infamous leader, Pol Pot.
I've written in detail about the centre in the link below
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is built at the site of a former secondary school, which was converted into Security Prison 21 under the Khmer Rouge regime.
Please follow the link pasted above for more details about the museum
Mekong River Cruise
Phnom Penh lies on the confluence of the Rivers Mekong and Tonle Sap. A 2-hour cruise on the river will take you along the beautiful city skyline.
There are options available for dinner cruises, sunset cruises, with dinner and drinks, and without. That is to say, tourists are spoiled for choice!
Since there is a plethora of cruise options, the prices also vary significantly. An evening cruise can cost anywhere from USD 20 to USD 80, with additional costs ranging up to USD 200, depending on the add-ons.
My Tip -
We opted for a 2-hour evening cruise. It was a lot of fun, and the staff were extremely polite. They had organised a small live music show with traditional Cambodian melodies and dance. The food was also delicious and served with a lot of warmth. My verdict is that if you have spare time, go for it to spend a lively evening along the riverfront.
National Museum of Cambodia
If your visit to Angkor Wat has sparked your curiosity about Cambodian heritage, consider visiting the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. The museum has the largest collection of historical and archaeological artefacts in Cambodia that showcase the artistic brilliance of the Khmer rulers.
The imposing outer façade of this beautiful structure, featuring an earthy red terracotta roof and red sandstone pillars, can be spotted from a distance.
Located in Chey Chumneas, very close to the Royal Palace, the museum houses an impressive collection of Khmer sculptures from the Angkor and pre-Angkor eras.
My Tip -
Entry fee to the museum is USD 10.00, which can be paid only in cash.
Keep aside at least an hour and a half to see the entire museum.
It is wheelchair friendly since most of its collection is on the same floor, divided into sections.
There is a beautiful green compound in the centre of the museum with a small cafeteria for refreshments, which is a good place to relax.
There is no air conditioning anywhere and it can get very hot in the afternoon. However, this is a good time to explore the museum, as it is not crowded at all.
Also, the museum is relatively small. There were no audio guides available, which was a downside, although there were plaques with information about the collections.
My word is don't come to this museum expecting a swanky hi-tech venue, it's a simple place with great collectibles that, in a way, reflect the simplicity of the people of Cambodia.
If you wish to explore more about the myriad collections of artefacts in the museum, please refer to the official website
Sisowath Riverside Park
The Sisowath Riverside Park is a good way to spend a lazy evening strolling along the riverfront. You'll see roadside vendors selling coconut water and flowers.
Independence Monument
This beautiful lotus-shaped stupa stands in the heart of Phnom Penh at the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevard.
It was built in 1958 to mark the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953.
Statue of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk
Also called the Statue of the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, it is located in a Memorial Park, very close to the Independence Monument.
The statue is relatively new, built only in 2013.
Wat Phnom Daun Penh
Wat Phnom is also known as the Mountain Pagoda, and it is the most important Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh.
The temple was built in 1372 on a small hill, and a broad staircase leads up to a small temple on the lower floor. On top of the hill is a big statue of Buddha.
My Tip -
A visit to the temple will give you very interesting insights into the Cambodian culture and their religious traditions, since this is an active place of worship.
We saw a couple making offerings of meat chunks and eggs to 3 lion statues at the entrance of the temple.
These lions, I later learnt, are considered to be the guardians of the temple who watch over it and ward off evil spirits. The offerings people keep in front of the lions are primarily for the temple.
To sum it up, Phnom Penh is a city that serves Cambodian culture and history on a platter, all one has to do is lap it up!!
Before coming to Phnom Penh, we'd spent 3 rocking days in Siem Reap, seeing the magnificent Angkor Wat. Learn more by clicking here
Comments