Top 7 best places to visit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Royal Palace Cambodia

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a large architectural complex located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is the official residence of the King of Cambodia built in 1866. The palace's architecture is a combination of traditional Khmer architecture and European architecture.

The Royal Palace of Cambodia was built and divided into two areas: One area is the Emerald Buddha Pagoda (Silver Pagoda/Golden Pagoda) and the other area is the palace where the King lives and works. Among them, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a temple with a Buddha statue studded with more than 2,000 diamonds and a very famous Buddha statue made of jade.

Wat Phnom Temple

Wat Phnom is the holiest temple in Cambodia and one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The pagoda is located on an artificial hill 27 meters above ground level, giving it a prominent position in the city of Phnom Penh.

Wat Phnom Temple is considered a symbol of the country's protection and prosperity. In particular, the pagoda is also the place to keep the body of King Boliwat and the remains of King Ponhea Yat. Every year, millions of Cambodians and tourists from all over the world come to the temple to pray and worship.

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Independence Monument

Independence Monument is a memorial in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The project was inaugurated on November 9, 1962, commemorating the 9th anniversary of Cambodia's liberation from French colonial rule. The monument has a tower shape of 39 meters high, built of white marble. At the top of the tower is a bust of King Norodom Sihanouk, the king who led Cambodia to independence.

With a design like a lotus flower rising in the heart of the bustling city, the Independence Monument quickly became one of the places that attracts a large number of tourists to visit in Cambodia Customized Tours.

Wat Unalom Temple

Wat Unalom is the center of Theravada Buddhism in Cambodia. The pagoda was built in 1443 during the reign of King Ponhea Yat. This is one of the first five monasteries in Phnom Penh and is the living place of the Maha Nikaya sect of Cambodia, as well as the residence of the Zen master who holds the most important position in the country.

The pagoda attracts many visitors because of its unique architecture. The temple complex includes 44 buildings. This place once had more than 500 Buddhist monks coming to study and kept about 30,000 scriptures. The temple not only has historical and cultural value but is also a sacred place for Cambodian people.

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“Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek

This is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Cambodia because this is the place where thousands of people were killed by the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian genocide that caused the civil war in the 70s. In the center of the area is a 17-story glass stupa, which contains 8,000 decomposed skulls of victims.

This memorial was built to commemorate the unfortunate victims of the most brutal genocide in Cambodian history. The museum here will be where visitors can learn about the events that took place through drawings and tragic stories introduced by guides.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh is a museum documenting the genocide of the Khmer Rouge. This used to be a high school, but was turned into a prison by the Khmer Rouge with the name S-21 Security Prison. Cambodia Private Tours visitors will see documents and artifacts related to the genocide.

During the Cambodian genocide from 1975 to 1979, approximately 17,000 people were tortured and killed at Tuol Sleng. Victims include political leaders, intellectuals, medical workers and even children. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2003.

Sisowath Quay

Sisowath Quay in Cambodia is a bustling and vibrant area located along the banks of the Mekong River in Phnom Penh, so Sisowath Quay is known as the new Western neighborhood in Phnom Penh. This area is famous for its many restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. In addition, there are many traditional dance performances held here, such as Apsara dance and Khmer dance.

In particular, Sisowath Quay area concentrates many of the city's large markets such as Phsar Chas market, Phsar Kandal market, central market and Olympic market, etc. When you come to these markets, you will easily find many beautiful items, Cheap prices, mainly products with bold Cambodian characteristics and traditions.

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Phnom Penh is an interesting and fascinating city with much to explore on Cambodia Customized Tours. Visitors can find history and culture, great cuisine, beautiful nature and affordable prices here. Don't miss the top 7 places that make Phnom Penh famous in particular and Cambodia in general.