Siem Reap Province

The Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap

The majestic temple of Angkor in the northwest Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer art and civilization. Today, a millennium after they were build, they awe visitor with their perfection and enormity. The temple are the creation of a succession of Khmer King who presided over an empire that dominated most of present day Southeast Asia from 800 to 1430 AD, reaching its peak in the 12th century. The period began with the ascension to the throne by king Jayavarman II. From the 15th century the temples were abandoned by the kings and subsequently forgotten until their " rediscovery " in 1961 by a French explorer. The jungle setting and silence enhance the mystery of the temples. One early discoverer's reaction upon seeing Angkor is not so much different as the feeling of the visitor today "The temple stands solitary and alone in the jungle, in too perfect order to be called a ruin, a relic or a race far ahead of the present".

Angkor Wat
The first half of 12thcentury : King Suryavarman II. The largest of the Angkor group and one of the most intact, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world. This temple is and expression of Khmer art at its highest point of development. Some believe Angkor Wat was designed by Divakarapandita, the chief adviser and minister of the king, who was a Brahmin with divine honours. The Khmers attribute the building of Angkor Wat to the divine architect Visvakar man. Construction probably began early in the reign of Suryavarman II and because his name appears posthumously in the bas relief??s and inscriptions it is believed that Angkor Wat was completed after his death. The estimated time for construction of the temple is about 30 year.

Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom, the last capital of Angkor Period (AD 802-1432) until the 15th century, was indeed a Great City as it name implies, and it served as the religious and administrative center of the vast and powerful Khmer Empire. The capital of King Jayavarman VII (AD 1181-1220), Angkor Thom, is a microcosm of the universe divided into four parts by the main axes. Bayon temple stands as the symbolic link between heaven and earth. The wall enclosing the city of Angkor Thom represents the stone wall around the universe and the mountain ranges around Meru. The surrounding moat suggests the cosmic ocean. This symbolism is reinforced by the presence of god Indra on his mount, the threeheaded elephant. Angkor Thom is enclosed by an 8-meter-high literate rampart that is laid out on a square grid of 3 kilometers long on each side. A moat with a width of 100 meters surrounds the outer wall. The city is accessed along five great causeways, one in each cardinal direction-Death Gate (east), Dei Chhnang Gate (north), Takao Gate (west), and Tonle Om Gate 18 (south)-plus an additional Victory Gate on the east aligned with the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. A tall gopura distinguished by a superstructure of four faces bisects the wall in the center of each side. Four small temples, all called Chhrung temple, stand at each corner of the wall around the city of Angkor Thom. Made of sandstone and designed in a cross plan, the temple built by King Jayavarman VII to worship Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. An inscription tells about its construction.

Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its discovery. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of the massive Banyan trees which envelope the stones like tentacles.




Phnom Ba Kheng
Phnom Ba Kheng Temple was built on a natural hill. Commonly referred to as temple-mountain because it is an earthly facsimile of Mount Meru, it is located on the left side of the road from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom and attracts scores of tourists who come to watch the sunset or sunrise. The temple was cut from the rock that formed the natural hill and faced with sandstone in the late 9th and early 10th centuries, during the reign of King Yasovarman I8 (AD 889?910), dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. Phnom Ba Kheng is 65 meters high and the temple has 109 towers. Phnom Ba Kheng temple was a replica of Mount Meru and the number of towers suggests a cosmic symbolism. The seven levels-ground, five tiers, upper terrace of the monument represent the seven heavens of Indra in Brahmanism mythology.

Bantey Srei
This is the fabled pink temple of the women , so called because it is made of pink sandstone and considered a tribute to the beauty of woman. Its small size, delicate carving and remark able state of preservation make Bantey Srei one of everyone's favorite temples. Bantey Srei is located about 32 km from Angkor and it is one of the oldest temples in the region.


Phonm Kolen and Kbal Spean
This site is regarded by the Khmers as one of the holiest sites because it is located at the origin of the Siem Reap river which was and still is the life giving source or the water that enables the widespread rice cultivation in the area of Angkor. As such it was the basic of the wealth of the civilization, which in its turn provided the resources required to build the temples. At this site one can observe the beautiful rock carving under the surface of the flowing water of Siem Reap river in the sitting of dense jungle.

Roluos Group
The three monuments in the Roluos Group, located 12km. southeast of Siem Reap, offer a look at the earliest definition of khmer civilization. These temples, Bakong, Lolei and Preah ko, were built in the 9th century under Indravarman I. Bakong is also the site of a modern Buddhist monastery.

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Other Places

Near Phnom Penh
Your guesthouse, hotel or travel agencies can arrange a taxi/bus tickets to the following destination. Many of the destinations can be reached by Phnom Penh Sorya Transport bus. These comfortable a/c buses leave from the southwest corner of the Central Market at regular intervals. California 2 Guesthouse has very good information on nearby Angkorian-era temples and motorcycling the area. Also check out Adventure Cambodian guidebook for additional information.

Kien Svay (Koki)
Thirty minutes east of Phnom Penh on route #1.Hundreds of stilted wooden picnic platform line the shore and float on the edge of a lake (Koki Beach). Rent a mat and snack on a variety of local delicacies. More for the locals than foreign visitors. Buses depart 8 times per day from the Pnom Penh Sorya Transport station.

Oudong
About an hour west of Phnom Penh, jus off Route #5, lay the hill of the abandoned royal city, Oudong. Oudong was the capital of Cambodian from the early 17th century until 1866 when the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. Several temples, stupas and other structures cover three hills. The walk up the hill provides an excellent countryside view. There are stupas containing the remains of several Cambodian kings including King Monivong (1927-1941) and King Ang Duong (1845-1859). The earliest structure is from the 13th Century. These hills were also the site of some of the kmer Rouges most prolonged resistance against the encroaching Vietnamese army in1979. For something completely different, take a side trip to Prasat Norkor Vimean Sour , a concrete, unduly ornate, semireplica of Angkor Wat built circa 1998. Buses depart for Oudong every hour.

Phonom Chisor
On the top of Phom Chisor sit some very nicely preserved 10th/11th century temple ruins. The 503 step to the top the hill make for a fairly vigorous climb but the quality of the ruins and the amazing view of the country side make the climb worth it. Share taxis: about $8 person. Often combined with a stop at Tonle Bati. Buses depart for Takeo every hour from the Phnom Penh Sorya Transport station. Get off at Prasat Neang Khmau or the 52km road matter and take a motodup to the base of the hill.

Phnom Da/Angkort Borei
Angkor Borei is a town in the area of the several ruins and archaeological digs. The area has been continuously inhabited for at least 2500 years and has yielded artifacts dating from the Funan period (4th/5th century ) and Chanla (8th century )as well as the later Angkorian period. The small temple of Ashram Maha Rosei below the hill, Phnom Da, was constructed in the late 7th early 8th century , during the Chenla period, under Bahavavarman. The Prasat ruins of Phom Da on top o the hill are 11th century C.E. Angkorian era constructed under king Rudravarman. Note the carvings on the lintels and the unusual north-facing entrance. There is a small museum in Angkor Borei displaying some of the artifacts from the area.

Prasat Neang Khmau
Two small Angkorian era temples built in the 10 the century C.E. Under king Jayavarman IV. The temple complex is named after Neang khmau,?Black Lady?, whose statue is located in front of the temples. The nearby modern era pagoda sits on the site of a third temple ruin.Buses depart for Takeo every hour. Get off near the 51km road marker.

Prek Leap
Only a few minutes away from Phnom Penh , Prek Leap begins just on the other side of the Chruoy Changvar Bride (Route #6A) where scores of restaurants line the road, most serving Khmer and Chinese fare. A couple of kilometers further several little roadside corn on the cob stands and picnic platforms sit along the side of the road, catering primarily to the locals.

Tonle Bati/Ta Prohm
Tonle Bati is a lake and popular picnic spot for the locals bamboo picnic stands and mats by the water. On the road to Tonle Bati there are two Angkorian era temples, Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau, both of which offer some interesting bas-reliefs in fairly good condition. Both temples were built under jayavarman VII in the late 12th century during the same period that Bayon and Angkor Thom in Siem Reap were constructed. Often combined with a visit to Phnom Chisor a bit further down Route #2.The turnoff road to the Tonle Bati area is near the 35km road marker. Buses depart for Takeo evey hour. Get off at Tonle Bati and take a motodup to the temples.

Ta khmau Zoo/Pnom Tamao/Prasat Tamao
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 or animals including lion, 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. Route # 2 to the 39km mile marker. Turn righ.1000 riel entrance fee.

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Ratanakiri

Ratanakiri is located on the north - east plateau , 636 Km from Phnom Penh . It is bordering Vietnam on the east, Laos PDR on the North, Steung Treng on the West and Mondul Kiri on the South.

A sparsely populated province, it is renowned for its unique natural beauty and wealth of natural resources. The physical and environmental characteristic of the province forms an impressive range including undulating hills and mountains, a level plateau, watershed lowlands, crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Forest cover varies from area to area, from the dense impenetrable forest in the northern reaches, which are still rich in wildlife, to the drier and sparser forest, found in the southwest. Similarly, the soil types present range from rich volcanic soil to the sandy soil found near rivers.

Yeak Loam Lake
Yeak Loam Lake is situated 5 km. south - east of Banlung. The Yeak Loam lake (volcanic crater) is the most beautiful lake of Ratanakiri formed by a volcanic eruption almost 4,000 years ago with 50 m. deep, 800 m. diameter and a walking path around the lake of 2,500 m. Two hundred meters of the track is a quaint wooden building housing tribal handicraft, the Crafts Museum .

Eisey Patamak Mountain
At the top of Phnom Svay is the statue of a reclining Buddha, situated 2.5 km. Awesome and peaceful, it has lain undisturbed throughout the years. Cast your eye outwards to glimpse Laos in the north and Vietnam in the east, and enjoy the spellbinding serenity of the surrounding countryside.

Katieng Waterfall
Katieng Waterfall is situated 7 km. north - west of Banlung. It is also located in the Koutung Stream, below the Kachang Waterfall, 3 km. The height of it is 10m. and the water flows and falls throughout the year. The visitors can see a beautiful natural landscape and take a break to take pictures of the birds and then continue to the waterfall.

Ou'Sean Lair Waterfall
Ou'Sean Lair Waterfall is situated 26 km, South of Banlung. This Waterfall has 4 floors and the height of each floor is 4 m. The water flows throughout the year. Around the Waterfall are beautiful natural landscapes and the visitors can go take a bath if they wish.

Ou'Sensranoh Waterfall
Ou'Sensranoh Waterfall is situated 9 km. south of Banlung. The height of it is 18m. and the water flows and falls all the time. The visitors can go there rest and enjoy the fresh air, or to se the forest and listen to the birds ' cries.

Cha Ung Waterfall
Cha Ung Waterfall is situated 8 km. west of Banlung and it flows throughout the year. The source of water creating this Waterfall flowed from Eisey Patamak Mountain ( Svay Mountain ) . Below this Waterfall is a big hole, visitors can stand or sit to watch the waterfall from behind, and inhale he cool fresh air stemming from it.

Veal Rum Plan (stone field)
Veal rum Plan (stone field ) is situated 14 km. North of Banlung. Stones cover the surface of this place and a dense around it. The visitors can go there and discover its beautiful attraction

Virachay National Park
Virachay National Park is situated 45 km. north of Banlung. With a total land area of 332,500 ha. It has varieties of plants and trees in the forest and many different kinds of animals and birds.

Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 37km. south of Banlung. With a total land area of 250,000 ha. there are special kinds of animals and birds like tigers, elephants, red-headed vultures.

Ou'Chaloy
Ou'Chaloy is located in the Sre Pok river It is situated 34km. south - west of Banlung. The tourist recreation in Ou'Chaloy is only during the dry season.

Norng Kabat Forest
Norng Kabat Forest is situated 23 km. north of Banlung. This place has a pond. the visitors can go there to see the animals and birds which comes to at the pond .Beside this the tourists can go visit the ethnic villages, ethnic culture (tradition belief, festival, dancing, music)

Shopping
A shopping spree starts at the Banlung market. Shopping bargains can be found on intricate stone, wood carvings, gem stones and other varieties of goods, many brought in by tribes like baskets, crossbows, gourds (water containers), bracelets, necklaces, cloth pipe from the outskirts of town make for an interesting.

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Mondulkiri Province

Mondulkiri is an eastern province of Cambodia. It is the most sparsely populated province in the country although being the largest province in Cambodia, this province know as forested hills, many varied of ethnic minorities, the beautiful of forest, real nature and other special is powerful waterfalls. Sen Monorom is the capital of the province and the only base from which to explore the province’s surrounding attractions. It is a charming little community set among rolling hills. Nearby are a number of hill trip villages and picturesque waterfalls.

Busra Waterfalls

Located at Pich Chinda District in 43 kilometer distance from the provincial town by red soil road. Boo Sra is the most beautiful waterfall in Modulkiri and shared into three stages:

- First stage: The waterfall has 15-meter diameter and 15-meter to 20-meter height in rainy season, and 20-meter diameter and 18-meter to 25-meter height in dry season. The second stage of waterfall has 150-meter distance from the first stage. -Second stage: The waterfall has 23-meter diameter and 15-meter to 20-meter height in rainy season, and 20-meter diameter and 18-meter to 25-meter height in dry season. The second stage of waterfall has 150-meter distance from the first stage.

- Third stage: The waterfall has stronger speed than the second stage. This stage can not be reached because it located in the thick forest, lacks of transporting mean and is dangerous due to having fierce-wild animals.

Sen Monorum Waterfall

Located at Sen Monorum District in five-kilometer distance from the provincial town by red soil trail, Along either sides of the trail, there are industrial plantations like rubber, coffee and cashew as well. The local people usually meet each other at Sen Monorum waterfall during the holidays and national festivals because it closes to the provincial town.

Sen Monorum waterfall has three stages

- First stage: The waterfall has slow speed, one-meter height and 2-4 meter diameter.

- Second stage: During the rainy season, the waterfall has strong speed, 6-7 meter height and 8-meter diameter. During the dry season, the waterfall has 7-9 meter height and 4-5 meter diameter. At the waterfall, there is a large space of resting and enjoying.

- Third stage: Located at one- kilometer distance from the second stage. The waterfall has 1.5-meter height only.

Rum Near Waterfall

Located at Sen Monorum District in 10.5 kilometer distance from the provincial town. The waterfall has good location, which is closes to the industrial plantations like rubber, coffee, cashew, mango, Avocado and Pres as well. During the rainy season, the waterfall has five-meter height and 10-meter diameter, and during the dry season. The waterfall has six-meter and eight-meter diameter only. At the waterfall, there are many big trees projecting the cool shadow to the area.

Chrey Thom Waterfall

Located at Sen Monorum District in 43-kilometer distance from the provincial town. During the dry season, the waterfall has 15-meter height and 2-meter diameter, and during the rainy season, the waterfall has 11-meter height and 8-meter diameter. The waterfall surrounded by the plantation of Sro Lou and there is a big and brandy tree of Chrey. The Provicail Tourist office in cooperation with the territorial authority has arranged this waterfall spot as the tourist site instead of Boo Sra waterfall that unaccessible during the rainy season.

Riverside

Located at Koh Nhek District in 150-kilometer distance from the provincial town. The riverside has red and golden colored sand, and stretches along the Sre Pork River mixing with many small islands. The riverside is the leisure place for the local people of Koh Nhek District.

Plantation of Pinetrees
Located at Sen Monorum District in six-kilometer distance from the provincial town by the National Road No 14. The plantation of pine trees located on the highland, which there are many pine trees remain since 1970 and growing on line, these pine trees have the same height. The ground covered by a lot of fallen leaves. It look like the golden colored carpet. Tourists can enjoy and rest on it without matting. The history said that, these pine trees were planted before the Sang Kum Reas Ni Yum time.

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Sihanouk Ville

Miles of fine white sandy beaches line the coastline of Sihanouk ville. These beaches are accessible from the town. The four main tourist beaches of Sihanouk ville, namely Sokha, Ochheuteal, Independence and Victory beaches, each separated from the other by rocky outcrops, provide the main focus of attraction for tourists, In addition, there are alternative beaches: Otres , Ream Chhne Koh Sanpauch, Chnne Koh Thmey, which is situated in Ream Nation Park, and Chnne Prek Treng which is situated outside the town area. Presently Sihanouk ville has become the premier site for tourists seeking beaches in Cambodia, as the other neighbouring coastal municipalities do not have beach resource and accessibility is difficult due to lack of road connection.

Ochheuteal

Sihanouk ville best hotels and some smart house can be found at Ochheuteal, but as none of them are right on the beach, the there-kilometer strech of fine sand remains unspoilt. Most of the action is in the middle section where there are excellent facilities, including food stalls, beach umbrellas, deck chairs and table, fresh water showers and toilets. At the north end of the beach, the area know as serendipity has some cheap travelers' restaurants and beach bougalows, while to the south, a golf course is being built.

Sokha Beach

Sokha Beach adjoins O'Cheuteal Beach. It is also long, though the water is deeper here. The beach was once more crowded than O'Cheuteal Beach, because Cambodians prefer it to the other beaches. However, Oknha Sok Kung's Sokha Hotel Company recently took over operations at the beach. The company is building up the area in hopes of attracting more tourists to Sihanouk ville.

Prek Treng Beach
Also known as the Hun Sen Beach, the Prek Treng Beach a few kilometers north of town is a long, narrow crescent of sand, a bit rocky in parts, offering comparatively warm shallow waters. Due to Prek Treng?s distance from town and complete lack of services (no guesthouses, restaurants, beach chairs, etc.,) the beach is usually deserted. There is a nearby development project promising a busy future for Prek Treng, but at the moment you can have the beach pretty much to yourself. Just remember to bring drinks and snacks as there are very rarely beach vendors available. To get there follow Hun Sen Beach Drive north a few kilometers past the port area. The beach is on the left just past the first bridge and before you reach the oil port.

Sunset Point

Sihanoukville offers several excellent spots to watch sunset. Most people opt for the beaches. Victory is the most ideally oriented beach for sunset. The view from the other beaches is sometimes partially obstructed depending on the time of year. Of the restaurants, Bungalow Village, Chez Claude, Chez Mari-yan, Nika Guesthouse and Mealy Chenda offer the best vistas. My favorite beach spot is the fishing camp at the base of the hill between north and south Victory beaches. The fishing boats in the foreground and Snake Island on the horizon can be quite photogenic. Perhaps the best sunset point is at the top of Sihanouk Ville Mountain. The rocks at the top face west offer a beautiful view of the town, port, ocean and islands.

Prampi Choan Beach
The beach is short and narrow, and the waves are bigger than at other beaches, making it popular with locals, who favor inmost after Sokha Beach.

Lumhe Key or Victory Beach
The beach is located in front of Koh Pors.It offers a number of services, including comfortable restrooms, fresh water and good transportation service to Koh Pors. Thus, many local and international visitors go to this beach. There are many well-organized kiosks along the beach; the waves are not big, and the environment is clean.

Deum Chhrey Beach
Deum Chhrey Beach is located in front of City Hall. Few tourists swim here because there is a big restaurant nearby. It is popular with tourists who like to walk along the beach, however, because there is a picturesque park filled with statues, making site popular with photographers.

Kor Pors
Koh Pors is an island about 1 kilometer from Loum Hekay beach, off the coast of Sihanouk ville. The beach is flat and very quiet. It attracts few visitors, because it is undeve?loped. Those tourists who do visit the island travel in groups and bring their own food.

Phnom Leu
Phnom Leu is a nature and cultural site. There is a pagoda on the mountaintop, which offers visitors a panoramic view of the beaches and Sihanoukville international port. Most visitors are local people who visit the site during national festivals.

Kbal Chhay waterfall

Kbal Chhay waterfall is located in Khan Prey Nup, about 16 kilometers north of downtown Sihanoukville. To reach the site from Sihanoukville, take National Road 4 toward Phnom Penh. About 7 kilometers outside of town, there is a sign announcing the site. Turn left and go 9 kilometers along a trail. The water at Kbal Chhay comes from many sources along the mountain range, although only three of these sources are visible. The waterfall, which is 14 meters high, is at the point where those three sources join. Kbal Chhay was discovered in 1960. Three years later, it was developed into a reservoir to supply clean water to the city of Sihanoukville. The reservoir construction, however, was interrupted due to civil war, and the site became a hide-out for the Khmer Rouge. In 1997, Kbal Chhay was marked for development, and a year later Kok An Company was awarded a contract to construct a road and develop the site for tourism.

Preah Sihanouk Ream National Park

Preah Sihanouk Ream National Park is located between Koh Thmei and Sihanouk ville, about 18 kilometers from down?town Sihanouk ville. The park, which has been open since 1993, covers 21,000 hectares including 15 000 hectares of terrestrial and 6000 hectares of marine habitats. The National Park features secluded beaches, mangroves forests, tropical jungles, 155 different species of birds, mon?keys and during the months of December, January and February the infamous white fresh water dolphin. It also offers a good transportation service to some island such as Koh Ta Keav and Koh Rusei. Those tourists who do visit the islands should travel in groups and bring their own food.

Otres beach
A twenty-minute motor ride will bring you to Otres beach, 6 km east of town. Although the land here has been sold off and plots are possessively ring-fenced, for now there are no hotels, guesthouse or other services, just a small fishing village on 3 km of golden sands. Sane 3 km north of town, beyond the express-boat dock and around the headland. Depot beach is an untouched expanse of sand separated from the road by grass and scrub, and edged by trees conveniently spaced for slinging your hammock, the beach is a long way from the harbou and oil terminal to either side, and all you're likely to meet here are a few fishermen.

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Phnom Penh

Built in 1372 by a wealthy lady known as Lady Penh (Doun Penh) A mixture of Asia exotica, Indochinese Charm and Cambodia hospitality await the visitor to Phnom Penh. Situated at the confluence of three great rivers - the 'four arms' or 'four faces' of the Mekong, Tonle Sap river and Bassac rivers. Phnom Penh is Cambodia's commercial and political hub, and is home to more than a million of the country 13.1 million peoples. It is also the gateway to an exotic land, the temple of Angkor in the west, the beaches of Sihanouk ville on the southern coast and the ethnic/linguistic minority peoples and jungle of the northeastern provinces .

Phnom Penh offers several cultural and historical attractions including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and Dancing school. There are also a variety of service including fives-star hotels and budget guesthouses, fine international dinning, sidewalk noodle shops, neighborhood pubs and more.

Phnom Penh, like other Cambodia tourist destinations, is in the midst of rapid change. Over the past few years, the number of tourist as well as the number of restaurants, hotels and other tourist services has grown dramatically. There are now direct daily flight to Phnom Penh and Siem Rep from several Asian cities including Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Vientiane, Singapore, Taipei and more. At least for overland border crossings have opened since 1998. Even travel within the country has become easier with several airlines flying domestic routes, regular bus service to Sihanoukville, Kampong Cham, and Kompong Chhang and route condition on the national routes gradually improving throughout the country. Cambodia is becoming easier to visit everyday.

Royal Palace
Chanchhaya Pavilion The pavilion dominates the view of the front of the palace on Sothearos Blvd. It is used as a classical dance theater, for Royal receptionists and banquets and from which the King delivers speeches to the pulic. Constructed in 1917. Hor Samran Phirun Royal waiting area where the King waits to mount an elephant for Royal procession implements. Constructed in 1917. Hor Samrith Vimean Also know as the 'Bronze Palace.' Repository for Royal regalia and attributes. A display of Royal regalia and costumes on the grown floor. Constructed in 1917 Khemarin Palace The Royal residence. Closed to the public. Napoleon lll Pavilion Constructed of iron. Originally built for French Empress Eugenie's use the inauguration of the Suez canal. Later presented as a gift to King Norodom from Emperor Napoleon lll in1876. Currently. Houses Royal memorabilia and a photographic exhibition. Temporarily closed for renovation. Best photographed in the morning.

Phochani Pivilion Originally constructed as a classical dance theater, it is currently used for Royal receptions and meetings. Throne Hall The Throne Hall is the primary audience hall of the king, used for coronation and diplomatic and other official meetings. Note the thrones of the king, and Queen?s throne higher and at the back, and the beautiful ceiling frescoes. Constructed in 1917. Inaugurated by king Sisowat in1919. Replace an earlier structure built an 1869. Best photographed in the morning.

Choeung Ek Memorial (The Killing Fields)
(15 km southwest of Phnom Penh- Take Monirith 8.5km past the bridge at Street 271) From April 17, 1975 until January 7, 1979, the ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge (Red Khmer) regime, led by Pol Pot, controlled the whole of Cambodia. Under the Khmer Rouge regime the country was known as 'Democratic Kampuchea.' During the short reign of the Khmer Rouge, between one million and two and a haft of million Cambodians perished, some killed outright, others dying from disease, malnutrition, neglect and mistreatment. Many of the dead ended up in various 'Killing fields' that can be found scattered across the country. The killing fields were essentially ad hoc place of execution and dumping grounds for dead bodies. The memorial at Choeung Ek just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery prior to 1975. During the Khmer Rouge regime it became one of the killing fields-this particular killing fields is the site of the brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women and children, most of whom first suffered through interrogation, torture and deprivation in the S-21 Prison (Toul Sleng) in Phnom Penh. Choeung Ek is now a group of mass graves and a memorial stupa containing thousands of skulls. It's about a 20-40 minute drive from the center of Phnom Penh. There are guides available at the site, and a small souvenir shop. For sake of historical context, combine your trip to Choeung Ek with a visit to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museam(S-21)
Corner of street 113 & Street 350-$2.00- Open everyday, include holidays, 8AM-5PM- Close for lunch) Prior to1975, Toul Sleng was a high school. When the Khmer Rouge came to power it was converted in to the S-21 prison and interrogation facility. Inmate were systematically tortured, sometimes over of a period of months, to extract confessions, after which they were executed at the killing fields of Choeung Ek. S-21 processed over 17,000 people, less than a dozen of whom survived. The building now serves as a museum, a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge reguime. Much has been left in the state it was when Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison by Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also exhibited. The museum famous and controversial skull map has been dismantled and is no longer displayed.

Independence Monument (Vimean Ekreach)
The Independence Monument (Vimean Ekreach) was inaugurated in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia's independence from foreign rule. It was designed by the renowned architect, Vann Molyvann. The moment now also serves as monument to Cambodia's war dead. It's the site of colorful celebrations and services on holidays such as Independence Day and Constitution Day. Located at the intersection of Norodom Blvd, and Sihanouk Blvd.

National Museum
(Street 178 & street 13, next to the Royal Palace- $3.00 -8:00-5:00, open everyday) The distinctive rust-red National Museum next to the Royal Palace was dedicated by King Sisowath in 1920. Over 5000 object are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the legendary statue of the 'Leper King' Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of post-Angkorian Buddha figures. Visiting the museum after rather than before a trip to Angkor helps lend context to the Angkorian artifacts. Multi-lingual tour guides are available. Souvenirs and books available. Photography is limited. Some guidebooks still mention the museum bats that in habited the rafters, unseen in the day but occasionally spectacular as days left in drove and sunset. In March 2002 the bats left for good, moving on after renovations to the ceiling. The museum borders street 178, aka Artist's Street which in lined with several art galleries and souvenir shops.

Central Market(Phsar Thmei)
This unique, art-decor building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp/lake that received the runoff during the rainy season .The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37. Wet season flooding in the area around the market is a vestige of the old lake. The entrance to of market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcard and photocopy book to silver curios and kramas and eatable insects .Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods stationery, secondhand clothes and flower are also in ample supply. (Phsar Thmei means New Market , but Central Market has caught on in English.)

Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
This market is of far less architectural interest than the Central Market but has a larger and more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks. Like the central Market, it has a good selection of silver, gold and jewels, but also carries huge selection of curios, silk, carvings, etc. The Russian Market offers the largest selection of boot legged VCDs, DVDs and CDs of all the traditional markets. Most of the CD vendors are located on the south side near the southeast corner of the market. It's also a good place to buy fabric for business and casual cloths to take to the tailor. Most of what the visitor might want is in the same general area on the south side but the rest of the market is well worth exploring. Food and drink stands in the middle of the market for hygienically adventurous visitors.

Old Market (Phsar Chas)
A local market that is not at all geared to tourists. The market carries such items as fruits and vegetables, hardware, second hand clothes, motorcycle parts and religious items. The dinner rush hour at little stands along street 110 makes for a confusing , potentially photogenic scene.

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