Royal palace and silver Pagoda

The royal Palace is on Sothearos Boulevard, between streets 240 and 184. Visits costs $3 per person, $2 per camera and $5 per video camera. It is open every day from 7 am to 11 am – 2H30 pm to 5pm.

The silver Pagoda is the most visited monument in Phnom Penh due to its plethora of priceless art objects.

Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is located at the intersection of St. 96 and Norodom blvd. It costs $1 per person.

Wat Phnom is the most famous temple of Phnom Penh. It is located on a small hill. According to the legend, it is the foundation of Phnom Penh.

Phnom means hill in Khmer and Penh is the name of the woman who discovered it. In Khmer, Wat is a temple so Wat Phnom simply means the hill temple. It costs $1 per person to visit inside the temple, but you can just have a walk in the large garden for free. You will meet there many monkeys and a domestic elephant that can be ridded for few dollars.

This place is appreciated by Cambodians who like to have there a weekend picnic with their family.

Independence monument

Independence Monument (Vitmirn Aykerek in Khmer) is located at Norodom and Sihanouk Blvd crossroad. It was inaugurated in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia independence from French colonization.

National Museum

National Museum is located at the corner of St. 178 and St. 13, near the Royal Palace. Entrance costs $3, it is open every day from 8 am to 17 pm.

This monument was dedicated to King Sisowath in 1920. You can see there more than 5 000 art objects like stone statues from 6th to 13th century, regular traditional items (bowl, pikes…) and even prehistoric pieces.

We can regret a bit the lack of explanation as many items look similar. However the building is very pleasant and you could have a good time there by speaking with monks and students who like to have a walk there.

Guides are available for visits. Souvenirs (between $1 and $35 for a Jayavarman VII head) and books are available.

Toul Sleng : The genocide museum

St. 113 and 350 crossroad – entrance $2, open every day from 8am to 5pm.

Originally a school, it was turn in detention and torture centre by Khmer Rouges. It is an essential place to visit to understand genocide horrors that Cambodians have suffered.

You will not find there information about Khmer Rouge motivations, for this you’d better get a good book.

Windows have been closed in order to prevent prisoner from committing suicide.