Phnom Penh

The magic of the Angkor temples and the many temples around the country can easily overshadow all else. But given a closer look, Phnom Penh has so much to offer visitors.Truly a cosmopolitan city right where four rivers converge, Phnom Penh shows off a mix of French as well as Chinese influence with distinctively Khmer characteristics. Restored French colonial homes, grand boulevards lined with giant trees, Chinese merchant house a long the river banks are reminiscent of a time gone by.

Royal Palace
Built in 1866 by King Norodom, the Royal Palace is now home to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk is the King of Cambodia, and Her Majesty Preah Reach Akka Mohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk is the Queen. The Palace is actually a number of structures within a pagoda-style compound. An awe-inspiring sight the throne room (the main building), has a tiered roof topped by a 59 meter tower.

SILVER PAGODA

Located within the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilo and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

It houses of Khmer art, especially sculptures, from different periods of Cambodian history, 19th century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins. On display inside are more than 5,000 works of art.

WAT PHNOM
Wat Phnom is a famous city landmark. This symbol of the Phnom Penh Capital was built in 1434 to house the sacred relics. Today Wat Phnom remains the highest artificial hill in Phnom Penh and centre of many forms of leisure activities.

INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT
It commemorates the end of Cambodia's rule by France in 1953. The Naga motif can be seen in historic, culture and modern business contexts, as a symbol of the country. It's also used to commemorate to the soul of fallen combatants who laid down their lives for freedom of the country.

SURROUNDING PHNOM PENH

TA PROHM TONLE BATI
This 13th century temple, build by King Jayavarman VII, was dedicated to Brahmanism and Buddhism. It is located in Bati district, Takeo Province, 35 Km south of Phnom Penh. It can be reached via National road No2.

ANGKOR BOREI
It is a town in the area of several ruins and archaeological digs. The area contains artifacts dating from Funan (4th & 5th century) and Water Chenla (8th century) as well as later Angkorian period. The prasat ruins on top of nearby Phnom Da are 11th century. There is a small museum in the town.

PHNOM OUDONG
It is situated in Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province and 45km north of Phnom Penh. One can reach it by road No 5. Phnom Oudong is also called Phnom Preah Reach Trap, Phnom Atharreus and Phnom Preah Chetareus. It is a mountain which is rich in cultural patrimonies. It used to be a former Khmer’s capital city in 1618 - 1866.

KOH DACH
The island is located 30 Km along the Mekong River. On Koh Dach once can visit a silk weaving village and watch the woven silk on old looms. The island is also famous for its handcraft production, pottery osier craftwork, woodcarving, painting and jewelry cutting. Koh Dach can be reached via Road No 6A and by boat. It is a scenic route along the Mekong River, with its many fishing villages.

Optional places to see

Rattanakiri
Banlung is the provincial capital of Rattanakiri province and the best base form which to explore the natural attractions to the area. You can also ask around town about arranging an elephant ride in one of the surrounding villages. There are numerous waterfalls in province. The three most commonly visited are Cha Ong, Ka Tieng and Kinchan.

Mondulkiri

Mondulkiri is another isolated province south of Ratanakiri, nestled against Cambodia 's eastern border with Vietnam.Sen Monorom is the Capital of the province and the only base from which to explore the Chunchiet villages and picturesque waterfalls in the province.

Dolphin Watching
The fresh water Irrawaddy dolphin is an endangered species in Cambodia and some experts believe there may be as few as 60 left or stretches of the Mekong River north of Kratie. It is possible to see them about 15km north of the town on the road to Stung Treng, particularly during the dry season when water levels drop significantly - early in the morning or late afternoon seem to be the best times.

Sihanouk Ville
Sihanouk Ville is about 230 km southwest of Phnom Penh and boasts the best beaches in the Kingdom. On weekends and public holidays, the beaches are crowded with local Khmers, tourists and expatriates. It is Cambodia’s only maritime port. Its chief attraction are the four beaches that ring the headland. They are Ou Chheuteal Beach, Popular Sokha Beach,Koh Pos Beach and Independence Beach.

Kep

The seaside resort of Kep was founded as a colonial retreat for the French elite in 1908. Kep is on a small headland and has a 6 km palm-fringed road extending a long the coastline. On the top of the hill near the beach is one of King Sihanouk's many palaces constructed in the early 1990s. Kep had been one of Sihanouk's favorite spots in Cambodia.

Preah Vihea
The important temple complex of Preah Vihear, built on a crest of Dang Rek Mountains at an altitude of 730m, dates from the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1002-49). This is probably the most dramatic location of any temple in Cambodia . The main drawback is that it is almost inaccessible from Cambodia unless you have the funds to charter a helicopter or are willing to spend a few tough days getting there.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap AngKor Wat
The Majestic temples of Angkor in northwest Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer art and civilization. Today, a millennium after they were built, they awe visitors with their perfection and enormity. The temples are the creation of a succession of dominated most of Khmer Kings who presided over an empire that dominated most of present-day Southeast Asia from 800 to 1430, reaching its peak in the 12th century. The period began with the ascension to the throne by King Jayavarman II.

Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and it is inspired by 12th century Hinduism. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took several decades to build. Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The way the light glows on the ancient stones makes sunrise and sunset the best time to wander through Angkor Wat's 2 square kilometers, climb its tower.

Angkor Thom
The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally "Great City, "built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, contains the famous Bayon temple with its more than 200 enormous mysterious smiling faces. It also contains the 300 meter-long Elephant terrace with its large sculptured royal elephants and Garudas, the mythical guard half-man, half-bird. Also within the walled area is the terrace of the Leper King. A sandstone replica of the Leper King is here.

Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its discovery by French archeologists. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive bayan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Its close connection with nature makes it easy for the imagination to roam back to the days when it housed the Angkor kings in splendor.

Banteay Srei
This is the fabled pink temple of women, so called because it is made of pink sandstone & considered a tribute to the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carving and remarkable state of preservation make Banteay Srei one of travelers' favorite temples. Its Apsara and male and female divinities represent the most skilled craftsman ship of sandstone carvings. It was dedicated in 987, making it one of the oldest temple in the region, though it was not rediscovered until the 1900s.

Neak Pean
Prasat Neak Pean (Intertwined Naga) was built by Jayavarman VII, consists of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. In the center of the large central pool is a circular "island" encircled by the two Naga whose intertwined tails give the temple its name. Water once flowed from the central pool into the four peripheral pools via ornamental spouts, which can still be seen in the pavilions at each axis of the pool.

Kulen Mountain
At just about 42km north of Siem Reap Town, many visitors combine a visit to Phnom Kulen with a trip to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. On either side of the mountain, tall waterfalls crash down the mountain; clean, clear and cool water provide a wonderful place for tourists. Carvings of Brahmin Yonis and lingas can be seen etched into the riverbed. A mountain peak temple houses a huge reclining Buddha, gazing serenely out from his peaceful mountain home.

Tonle Sap Lake
It is very scenic in the warm light of early morning or late afternoon. On the Tonle Sap lake, there are 3 biospheres and an establishment of the bird sanctuary there makes it the most worthwhile and straightforward location to visit. If you are able to visit during the dry season (December to May), the concentration of birds is like something out of a Hitchcock film as water starts to dry up elsewhere.