|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phnom Penh attractions
Page 2 of 2
|
What to see and do in and around Phnom Penh . . .
For tours which feature the attractions of Phnom Penh and around please click here. |
|
Sisowath Quay (the Riverside)
A stroll or cyclo ride along the 3km riverfront, or Sisowath Quay, is a must. The wide expanse of water caused by the confluence or three rivers marking a large ‘x’, the Tonle Sap, the Mekong, and the Bassac, coupled with the wide walk way and gardens, and the gentle breeze almost makes for a seaside atmosphere. During the day the promenade is relatively deserted, an oasis of tranquility, with just the long line of fluttering flags (one for each nation with an Embassy in Cambodia) to keep you company, as well as the occasional child wanting to sell you a book. Strolling along the riverside you are never far from some of Phnom Penh’s more important sights such as the Royal Palace and Cambodia’s most important pagoda, Wat Ounalom, home to the Kingdom’s top monk, it also claims to house an actual hair from Buddha’s eyebrow! You will also notice a couple of shrines along the promenade where people sell offerings for the gods, live birds in cages that can be released for good luck and coconuts crowned with betel leaves, lotus buds and incense. However come late afternoon, early evening and the locals come out in abundance and the place takes on a carnival-like atmosphere. Families stroll around with balloon waving children in tow, young teenagers shyly flirt with each other, others play badminton, and groups of young men play the ever popular ‘keepie-up shuttlecock’ game. Food and drink vendors do a roaring trade in everything from coca-cola and sugar cane juice to pomelos and roasted sparrows! The riverside is lined with bars and restaurants where you can enjoy some of the finest foods on offer, from Mexican to authentic Khmer cuisine to pizza, and enjoy a cocktail as you watch the fascinating parade of everyday life. At its southern limit you will find what resembles an amusement park. Here you will discover all your fair favorites, from dodgem cars to a Ferris wheel, pink candy floss and more. Finally, for the early risers, not only will you experience a sublime sunrise, but you may get to join in with some locals practicing tai-chi… |
|
Independence Monument
Situated on a large roundabout at the junction of two of Phnom Penh’s main streets, Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard, the Independence Monument dominates the skyline. The large reddish-brown tower structure (based upon the design of the towers of Angkor Wat), was built in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule, and also as a memorial to those who have lost their lives defending the country. The monument is the site of celebrations and services on important public holidays such as Independence Day and Constitution Day. To the east of the Monument towards the river is one of Phnom Penh’s most popular public parks, with its fountains this is a favorite spot for wedding photos, almost daily there are wedding groups, sometimes queuing up, to have their memorable day photos taken. The park is a hive of activity come late afternoon, early evening as families come to spend quality time together, and at certain times of the year the sky is dancing with many colourful kites. |
|
Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
Phsar Toul Tom Poung has become known amongst foreigners as the ‘Russian Market’, there are two stories behind this name, both centered around Cambodia’s international isolation during the 1980s. The first says that during this time, when the communist Vietnamese where occupying Cambodia, fellow communists Russia were one of the few countries that supplied imports and many of those Russian imports where sold from this market. The other story is centered around the influx of Russians into Cambodia during this same period that were helping with the country’s redevelopment, it is said that as the streets of Phnom Penh were not so safe during this time, once a week many Russians who were housed in the large Russian Embassy compound were bused to this market to do their weekly shopping – the truth is undoubtedly a mixture of the two. During the 1990s the market was famed for selling extremely cheap marijuana by the sack ful! Those days have long gone and today the market is a hive of activity and an excellent place for picking up souvenirs. The market certainly isn’t in the same league as the Central Market architecturally, but surely supersedes it in terms of souvenir stalking and bargain hunting. There are stalls selling some very good Khmer antique reproductions, other stalls piled ceiling high with wonderful colourful silks, incredibly cheap clothing stalls, and of course those stalls selling pirated CDs, DVDs, and computer software – bargaining is expected. As well as the tourist orientated stalls there are also day-to-day sections selling fruit and vegetables, a meat and fish market, as well as a range of stalls selling spare parts for the many motorbikes you see zipping around. It's best visited in the early morning or mid-afternoon as the heat during the middle of the day under the tin roof is oppressive. After spending a couple of hours haggling you may be in need of liquid refreshments and a quick snack. Located close to the Russian Market are two very good cafés which you may want to try – Jars of Clay, and Café Yejj, both of which are training facilities for under privileged young adults. |
|
S21: Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
S21 or Toul Sleng was the Khmer Rouge's primary interrogation and extermination centre, and whilst a visit makes for a rather grim couple of hours it is an integral part of trying to gain an insight of what many of the Khmer people in Cambodia endured during the despotic Pol Pot years. Prior to the Khmer Rouge taking over Cambodia in 1975 Toul Sleng was a high school, however the paranoid Pol Pot soon had it transformed into the regime’s most important interrogation centre. All of the classrooms were converted either to tiny prison cells or larger interrogation centres and the upper balconies were covered in barbed wire so that prisoners could not commit suicide by throwing themselves off. The Khmer Rouge were meticulous in their record keeping, taking photos of every new arrival and painstakingly retaining detailed confessions made by prisoners. Many of these haunting photos are displayed in the museum. In less than 4 cruel years over 17,000 people were ‘processed’ in S21 with only 7 surviving. After the Vietnamese invaded in 1979 and the Khmer Rouge fled to the jungles, the liberators left S21 largely as they found it as a means to justify their actions. Today the complex serves as a museum, a memorial, and a testament to the savage brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime - Toul Sleng is one of the most important historical monuments of the Khmer Rouge period. |
|
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Choeung Ek is Cambodia’s best known ‘Killing Field’, although many visitors do not realise that this was just one of the many that can be found scattered across the country. During the short reign of the Khmer Rouge, it is believed in excess of 2 million Cambodians perished, some killed outright, others dying from disease, malnutrition, neglect and mistreatment - many of the dead ended up being unceremoniously dumped in these shallow ‘killing fields’. For the sake of historical context, and although it continues the emotional experience, a visit to Choeung Ek should be combined with a visit to Toul Sleng. Choeung Ek is located 15km south west of Phnom Penh and thousands of Toul Sleng prisoners, including women, children, and babies were forcibly marched here and executed - some shot, many simply bludgeoned to death. Today the site is a group of mass graves and home to a memorial stupa containing thousands of skulls. As you wander around the beautiful and tranquil setting it is difficult to image and comprehend the savagery that took place here... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
