Over the past four years, the
city has undergone tremendous changes - businesses are springing up constantly
and tourism is once again booming.
Cambodia has one of the most liberal investment laws to further boost
managed to retain its charm and character - cyclos that weave through traffic
with ease, broad boulevards, old colonial buildings, parks and green spaces
that reminds one of the country's French heritage, and above all its people who
always have a smile for you.
A stone's throw away from the
Tonle Sap is the royal Palace built on the site of the Banteay Kev, a citadel
built in 1813. The Palace grounds contain several buildings: the Throne Room of
Prasat Tevea Vinichhay which is used for the coronation of kings, official
receptions and traditional ceremonies; the Chan Chhaya Pavilion which is a
venue for dance performances; the king's official residence called the
Khemarin; the Napoleon Pavilion and the spectacular Silver Pagoda. This pagoda
is worth exploring. It owes its name to
the 5,000 silver tiles weighing 1kg each which cover the entire floor.
The emerald Buddha sits on a
pedestal high atop the dias. In front of
the dias stands a life-size Buddha made of solid gold and weighs 75kg. It is
decked with precious gems including diamonds, the largest of which is 25
carats. Also on display at the sides are
the coronation apparel and numerous miniature Buddha in gold and silver.
The walls surrounding the
compound which is the oldest part of the palace, are covered with frescos
depicting scenes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana.
INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT
The monument was built in 1958 to
symbolise the independence that Cambodia gained from France in 1953. The French
fully abandonned their interests in Indochina following defeat by the
Vietnamese at the battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. Independence is marked
in Cambodia on the 9th November. The monument has a unique and peculiar style
and doubles as a memorial to Cambodian patriots who died for their country.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
The NATIONAL MUSEUM of Cambodia
is housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built
1917-20) just north of the Royal Palace. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 to
11 am and from 2 to 5 pm; entry is $3. Photography is prohibited inside. The
School of Fine Arts (École des Beaux-arts) has its headquarters in a structure
behind the main building.
WAT PHNOM
You may also want to check out
WAT PHNOM which sits on a tree covered hill about 30m high in the northeast of
the city. It is said that the first
pagoda was built in 1373 to house four statues of the Buddha deposited here by
the Mekong river. It was discovered by a woman named Penh. Thus, the name Phnom Penh, the hill of Penh.
The people believe that this temple is powerful in that anyone who makes a wish
will have it granted. It is not surprising to see many people coming here to
pray for protection or healing. Many
bring lotus flowers as offerings for prayers answered.
TUOL SLENG MUSEUM
In 1975,Tuol Svay Prey High
School was taken over by Pol Pot's security force and turned into a prison
known as Security Prison 21 (S-21) It soon became the largest such centre of
detention and torture in the country. Over 17,000 people held at S-21 were
taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who die
during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison grounds.
CHEUNG EK KILLING FIELD
Between 1975 and 1978,aabout
17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners), detained
and tortured at S-21 prison (now Tuol Sleng Museum), were transported to the
extermination to death to avoid wasting precious bullets.
NEW CENTRAL MARKET
A visit to the markets and market
halls is a must as they give an opportunity to be acquainted with the country's
local produce and also to buy textiles, antiques, gold and silver jewellery.
The four wings of the yellow
coloured Central Market are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and
silver jewellery, antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics,
shoes and luggage.
TUOL TOM PONG MARKET
For some good paintings or if you
prefer antiques, head from the Tuol Tom Poong Market also known as the Russian
Market. A word of caution though: you
need to sharpen your bargaining skills as the prices here can be outrageously
high.
