Phnom Penh
In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21); it soon became…
Must-see attractions in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
The National Museum of Cambodia is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design…
Phnom Penh
Within the Royal Palace compound is this extravagant temple, also known as Wat Preah Keo or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Silver Pagoda is so named…
Phnom Penh
With its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the Royal Palace once dominated the skyline of Phnom Penh. It's a striking structure near the riverfront,…
Phnom Penh
Between 1975 and 1978, about 20,000 men, women, children and infants who had been detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the…
Phnom Penh
A landmark building in the capital, the art deco Psar Thmei (literally 'New Market') is often called the Central Market, a reference to its location and…
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Phnom Penh
Cambodia finally got a sizable contemporary arts space in 2019, when Kbach moved into three galleries covering 400 sq metres of Factory Phnom Penh. The…
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Phnom Penh
This 3.4-hectare Levi's garment factory, 2km south of town, was completely transformed in 2018 into a graffiti-covered hub for entrepreneurs, artists and…
Phnom Penh
Set on top of a 27m-high tree-covered knoll, Wat Phnom is on the only ‘hill’ in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in…
Phnom Penh
This wat is the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. It was founded in 1443 and comprises 44 structures. The wat received a battering during the Pol Pot…
Phnom Penh
Located at the northern end of Monivong Blvd, the French embassy played a significant role in the dramas that unfolded after the fall of Phnom Penh on 17…
Phnom Penh
The Silver Pagoda complex is enclosed by walls plastered with an extensive and, in parts, spectacular mural depicting the classic Indian epic of the…
Phnom Penh
Despite the lofty name, this multipurpose sports complex has never hosted an Olympic Games. Nevertheless, it's a striking example of 1960s 'New Khmer'…
Phnom Penh
The main attraction in the palace compound is the Throne Hall. Topped by a 59m-high tower inspired by the Bayon at Angkor, it was inaugurated in 1919 by…
Phnom Penh
Modelled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It…
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Phnom Penh
Wat Moha Montrei was named in honour of one of King Monivong’s ministers, Chakrue Ponn, who initiated the founding of the pagoda (moha montrei means ‘the…
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Phnom Penh
Helmed by the ever-popular Friends restaurant, this new community space aims to become the cultural heart of central Phnom Penh with a regular lineup of…
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Phnom Penh
The National Library is in a graceful old building constructed in 1924, near Wat Phnom. During its rule, the Khmer Rouge turned the building into a stable…
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Phnom Penh
Construction started on this landmark hotel back in the 1960s, but it was only open for a few months before civil war engulfed the country. Lon Nol…
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Phnom Penh
Check out this curious iron pavilion, located south of the Throne Hall. Given to King Norodom by Napoleon III of France in 1876, it was hardly designed…
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Shrine of Princess Kantha Bopha
Phnom Penh
This shrine is dedicated to Kantha Bopha, one of former King Father Sihanouk’s daughters, who died of leukemia when she was just four years old. There are…
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Phnom Penh
Home to Cambodia's national parliament, this elaborate building is finished with traditional Khmer motifs. The access road is sometimes closed off to the…
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Cambodia–Vietnam Friendship Monument
Phnom Penh
This optimistically named monument was built to a Vietnamese (and rather communist) design in 1979. Concerts are often held in the park, which springs to…
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Phnom Penh
This small building holds a small exhibition of royal costumes and regalia.
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Phnom Penh
This impressive statue shows the legendary former king/prime minister/statesman King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died a national hero in 2012.
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Phnom Penh
Performances of classical Cambodian dance were once staged in this pavilion, which is sometimes lit up at night to commemorate festivals or anniversaries.
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Shrine of King Norodom Suramarit
Phnom Penh
This is the shrine of King Norodom Suramarit, the father of King Sihanouk who reigned from 1955 to 1960 following his son's abdication from the throne.
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Phnom Penh
A colourful Buddhist temple in the heart of the city (near Independence Monument) that was established as a sanctuary for holy writings.
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Phnom Penh
This Buddhist temple with saffron-coloured robes flapping in the wind is particularly photogenic. It's located opposite Wat Botum Park.
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Phnom Penh
This building once housed richly decorated sacred texts written on palm leaves (now moved to the safety of air-conditioned storage).
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Phnom Penh
This building was traditionally used for royal dining; today it is used for ceremonial apsara (nymph) dances and training.
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Phnom Penh
This small structure was used by the king and other royal family members to mount and dismount the royal elephants for ceremonies.
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Phnom Penh
This hulking structure houses Phnom Penh's only casino, packed full of gaming tables, high-end restaurants and cocktail bars.
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Phnom Penh
This striking grey stupa is dedicated to King Ang Duong (r 1845–59) and is guarded by lions and guardian spirits.
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Phnom Penh
The bell of this tower is rung to order the gates of the Royal Palace compound to be opened or closed.
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Phnom Penh
This artificial hill has a structure containing a bronze footprint of the Buddha from Sri Lanka.
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Phnom Penh
The official residence of King Sihamoni and his family is not open to the general public.
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Pavilion for Royal Celebrations
Phnom Penh
The royal family celebrate important festivals in the Khmer calendar in this pavilion.
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Phnom Penh
This shrine includes a striking bronze sculpture of the former king on horseback.
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