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Thursday, April 21, 2011

I. The most attractive tourist destination in Cambodia




I. The most attractive tourist destination in Cambodia 

1. Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the second attractive destination of tourist. It was found in the 15th century, when King Pon Nhea Yat moved away from Angkor area and the Siamese (Thai) invaders. He found a small man-made hill (Phnom), which had been constructed 60 years before by a wealthy woman called Daun Penh. It became the capital with the permanent settlement of the royal family from 1866. Cambodia was almost disappeared after King Pon Nhea Yat lost the war with Siamese and Viet Namese (Saigon became Vietnamese). In t he middle of the 19th century an increasing competition in establishing colonies for trade and resources led to an interest of France in Southeast Asia (in direct rivalry to Great Britain’s establishment in Hong Kong). After taking Viet Nam as colony (Cochin China), it offered Cambodia a protectorate Treaty in 1863. With Viet Nam as priority, France sent just a few civil servants and very limited financial resources to Cambodia, controlling peasant uprisings etc. A second convention between Cambodia and France, signed in 1884, increased the authority and influence of the colonial power. The first proper town planning has been implemented. The city, stretching from North to South was divided in a series of village, not genuine but ethnic pockets. The central part, today is Thmei market, was the Chinese quarter, a commercial district where the first shop houses have been built. In the north the European quarter developed with administration buildings, schools, and villas. The south, around the royal palace, was the Cambodia district. Malaysians and Chams settled at the other side of the river. From then on Phnom Penh developed as a political and commercial center and became one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia. Phnom Penh became a city of independent in 1953, under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk. Cambodia was been in peacefully for a while but it was fallen in darkness time in Khmer Rouge/Pol Pot regime 1975 to 1979.

1.1. Wat Phnom
-Location: go straight by Norodom Blv from Independent monument, south to north.
-Ticket: USD1 (foreigner)
-Working time: 24h/7days
Wat Phnom, or "Hill Temple," is built upon an artificial hill about 27m high. West of the vihara is an enormous stupa containing the ashes of King Pon Nhea Yat (reigned 1405 to 1467). In a small pavilion on the south side of the passage between the vihara and the stupa is a statue of the smiling and rather plump Madame Penh. A bit to the north of the vihara and below it is an eclectic shrine dedicated to the genie Preah Chau, who is especially revered by the Vietnamese.

1.2. Royal Palace

-Location: between Sothearos and S.t 240, southern of National Museum
-Ticket: 6.25USD (Foreigner)
-Working time: Mon-Sun, 8:00-11:00, 14:00-17:00 (Except especial occasion)
It built in 1866 by King Norodom. This site was especially chosen by a Commission of Royal Ministers and Astrologers because it had great geographical significance in relation to the King. It contains some spectacular buildings where contain the magnificent 17th century emerald Buddha statue is made of Baccarat crystal and solid gold and hundreds meters of Indian epic Ramayana.

1.3. National Museum
-Location: Corner of st. 178 and Preah Ang Eng street
-Ticket: 3USD (Foreigner)
-Working time: Mon-Sun, 8:00-17:00
The National Museum is a house of world’s largest collection of Khmer Arts, including the historical and archaeological objects. It was officially inaugurated by King Sisowat in 1920. The building was constructed by excellence wood in Khmer style.

1.4. Arts street
-Location: along the street N0.178
After look around the National Museum, visitor will have opportunity to find some painting which paint by Khmer artist and Khmer souvenirs such as statue and wood caving of Angkor wat, Apsara and other.

1.5. Independence Monument

Built in 1958 as a memorial to Cambodia's war dead and to celebrate independence from French colonial, It is designed by the influential Cambodian modern architect Vann Molyvann in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa in the same style seen at the great Khmer temple at Angkor Wat and other Khmer historical sites.

1.6. Killing Field (Choeung Ek)
-Location: 17km, south of Phnom Penh
-Ticket: USD2 (Foreigner)
-Working time: Mon-Sun, 7:00-17:30
It was used by the Khmer Rouge regime as an execution ground to put down thousands of people between 1975 and 1979. Mass graves containing thousands of bodies were discovered at Choeung Ek after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. Many of the dead were former inmates in the Tuol Sleng prison. They killed people by smashing them on head. 




1.7. Toul Sleng GenocideMuseum(S-21)
-Location: Street 113 and Street 350
-Ticket: USD2 (Foreigner)
-Working time: Mon-Sun, 7:00-17:30
Toul Sleng was a high school but when the Khmer Rouge came to power it was converted into the S-21 prison and interrogation facility. Inmates were systematically tortured to extract confessions, after which they were executed at the killing fields of Choeung Ek. S-21 processed over 17,000 people, less than a dozen of whom survived.

Other interesting
French Colonia architecture
Le royal hotel
-Location: 92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh, Sangkat Wat Phnom, In front of National University of Management (NUM)
Le royal hotel was built in about 1930; the central building is very impressive hotel dates back from the 1920s.




National library
-Location: 92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh, Sangkat Wat Phnom, In front of National University of Management (NUM)
The national library was built in 1954 in classic style but some said in Greek style, is painted with ornaments in a mixture of Khmer and French style. The library was created to contain government and royal documents.





Khmer Modern Architecture
For someone who wishes to see the nice Khmer architecture, they can visit some places such as Chaktomok Theater, IFL or Olympic stadium.

Chaktomok Theater

-Location: Sisowath Quay, next to Himawary Hotel
-Inaugurated: 1961
-Architect: Vann Molyvann




Institute of Foreign Language (IFL)


-No.11, Confederation De La Russia
-Date: 1965-1972
-Architect: Vann Molyvann
It is a last project before leaving Cambodia in 1972









Olympic stadium

-Inaugurated: 1964
-Architect: Vann Molyvann






Other activities in Phnom Penh
1. Russian Market (Tuol Tam Poung market)
-Location: Along the S.t.163 and St.450
This market became the foreigner’s market during the 1980’s when most of the foreigners in Cambodia were Russians, hence the name ‘Russian Market. It is more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks. There are several jewelers and gold-sellers, but it also carries huge selection of curios, silks and carvings, it is one of the best markets in town to buy fabric, and it offers the largest selection of VCDs, DVDs and CDs of the traditional markets.

2. Central market
-Location: S.t. 63 from south to north, northern of Soriya Shopping Center
This distinctive building is a city landmark - a unique art deco version of a traditional market. Four arms of the market converge in a soaring dome at the hub, perhaps reflecting the four arms of the chaktomuk (the convergence of the Mekong River.) Prior to 1935 the market area was a swamp/lake known as Beng Decho that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37, during the French colonial period, and originally dubbed the ‘Grand Market.’ Phsar Thmey is currently undergoing renovation but most of the project is complete. The central section of the main market building displays an amazing collection of gems and jewelry. The souvenir vendors are all back along the central entrance walk - offering curios, statuary, handicrafts, silks, t-shirts, postcards, etc.




3. River front and boat riding
It is a dozens of pubs, restaurants and shops sit along the picturesque park-lined, and Short river cruises and sunset cruises along the Phnom Penh riverfront are easy to arrange and offer an interesting view of the city.

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