The Grand Palace (Phnom Penh).

National Museum (Street 178 & Street 13, next to the Royal Palace - $3.00 - 8:00-5:00, open everyday
The distinctive rust-red National Museum next to the Royal Palace was dedicated by King Sisowath in 1920. Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the legendary statue of the ‘Leper King.’ Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of post-Angkorian Buddha figures. . Multi-ligual tour guides are available. Souvenirs and books available. Photography is limited.The museum borders Street 178, aka 'Artist’s Street' which is lined with several art galleries and souvenir shops. The Reyum Gallery is of particular note, exhibiting the works of contemporary Cambodian artists.

Central Market: Central Market (Psah Thmei)
This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp/lake that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37. Wet season flooding in the area around the market of the market is a vestige of the old lake. The entrance to the market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and kramas. Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also in ample supply. (Phsar Thmei means 'New Market', but 'Central Market' has caught on in English.)
Not nearly as interesting as the Russian Market.

Russian Market (Psah Toul Tom Poung) :
The most genuine market in town. Wide variety of goods. Food, fabrics, CD's, DVD's, software, antiques, motorcycle spare parts etc. An interesting stroll.
This market is of far less architectural interest but has a larger and more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks than the Central Market. Like the Central Market, it has a good selection of silver, gold and jewels, but also carries huge selection of curios, silks, carvings, etc. The Russian Market offers the largest selection of bootlegged VCDs, DVDs and CDs of all of the traditional markets. Most of the CD vendors are located on the south side near the southeast corner of the market. It’s also a good place to buy fabric for business and casual cloths to take to the tailor. Most of what the visitor might want is in the same general area on the south side but the rest of the market is well worth exploring. Food and drink stands in the middle of the market for hygienically adventurous visitors.

Old Market (Psah Chas)
A truly local market offering goods such as fruits and vegetables, second hand clothes, hardware and religious articles. In the late afternoon food vendors and fruit sellers spread their mats and set up their stalls in and along street 13 in preparation for an evening market. The dinner rush makes for a confusing, pungent, dirty, potentially photogenic scene.

S-21 Toule Sleng:Corner of Street 113 & Street 350 - $2.00 - Open everyday, including holidays, 8AM-5PM - Closed for lunch
The infamous interrogation prison. Still very frightening just to be there and see the cells etc. Everyone should see this, its not pleasant but it helps you to know a little of the people's suffering.
Prior to 1975, Toul Sleng was a high school. When the Khmer Rouge came to power it was converted into the S-21 prison and interrogation facility. Inmates were systematically tortured, sometimes over a period of months, to extract confessions, after which they were executed at the killing fields of Choeung Ek. S-21 processed over 17,000 people, seven of whom survived. The building now serves as a museum, a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime. Much has been left in the state it was when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. Paintings of torture at the prison by Vann Nath, a survivor of Toul Sleng, are also on display. The museum’s famous and controversial 'skull map' is no longer on display.

Killing Fields Choeung Ek Memorial:
15 km southwest of Phnom Penh - Take Monireth 8.5 km past the bridge at Street 271
A small area in the rice fields and beside a river. A very surreal experience to try to imagine the horror that took place in an idyllic setting.
From April 17, 1975 until January 7, 1979, the ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge (i.e. Red Khmer) regime, led by Pol Pot, controlled the whole of Cambodia. Under the Khmer Rouge regime the country was known as 'Democratic Kampuchea'. During the short reign of the Khmer Rouge, between one million and two and a half million Cambodians perished, some killed outright, others dying from disease, malnutrition, neglect and mistreatment. Many of the dead ended up in various 'killing fields' that can be found scattered across the country. The killing field were essentially ad hoc places of execution and dumping grounds for dead bodies. The memorial at Choeung Ek just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery prior to 1975. During the Khmer Rouge regime it became one of the killing fields - this particular killing field is the site of the brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women and children, most of whom first suffered through interrogation, torture and deprivation in the S-21 Prison (Toul Sleng) in Phnom Penh. Choeung Ek is now a group of mass graves and a memorial stupa containing thousands of skulls. It’s about a 20-40 minute drive from the center of Phnom Penh. There are guides available at the site, and a small souvenir shop. For sake of historical context, combine your trip to Choeung Ek with a visit to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.

Boeng Kak Lake: Its a lake.

Wat Phnom
(Intersection of Street 96 and Norodom Blvd. - $1/person)
A small hill crowned by an active wat (pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh. The hill is the site of constant activity, with a steady stream of the faithful trekking to the vihear, shrines and fortune tellers on top, and a constellation of vendors, visitors and motodups at the bottom. Elephant rides available. The legend of the founding of Wat Phnom is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh. Legend has it that in 1372 Lady Penh (Yea Penh) fished a floating Koki tree out of the river. Inside the tree were four Buddha statues. She built a hill ('phnom' means 'hill') and a small temple (Wat) at what is now the site of what is now known as Wat Phnom. Later, the surrounding area became known after the hill (Phnom) and its creator (Penh), hence 'Phnom Penh'. The current temple was last rebuilt in 1926. The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422. Look for the altar of Lady Penh between the large stupa and the vihear. She is said to be of particular help to women. Wat Phnom is the busiest pagoda in town the night of Chinese/Vietnamese New Year’s Eve.

River Cruise
La Reine du Mekong is running regularly scheduled 2-hour river cruises at 10:30AM, 1:00PM and 3:30PM. They also offer lunch and sunset dinner cruises. Cambodian food, buffet, pizza. For reservations call: 012-848802.
Small tourist boats can be found along the riverfront north of Street 178. They offer 1-2 hour river cruises along the river in front of the Royal Palace. Capitol Guesthouse runs budget oriented half-day Mekong cruises for $10/person. La Reine du Mekong is offering sunset dinner cruses.

Mekong Island Tour
Tickets: Office: #13Eo, Street 240 Tel: 016-851361 - $32.00
If you are interested in Cambodian culture but do not have time to explore the countryside, consider a day trip to the Mekong Island for a packaged but authentic cultural experience. See handicraft production, silk weaving and more. Lunch is included and there is a traditional dance and music show afterward. Departure: 9:30AM; Return: 3:00PM. Make reservations.

Pagodas
In Phnom Penh, you are never outside walking distance of a pagoda (wat). Their prevalence and distinctive appearance stands them apart and serves to punctuate Cambodia’s 97% Buddhist make up. To get a real look at Cambodian culture, a visit to at least one wat is a must.
A 'Wat' is actually an entire compound in which several structures are encompassed. Often centrally located, the large, ornate sanctuary (vihara or vihear) is generally open to the public and houses paintings, alters and statues which are of interest to the wat-watcher. The nearby smaller, pointed structures are stupas or chedis. Stupas usually contain the remains of important monks. Also present on wat grounds are housing for the monks and often a school building.
Pagoda etiquette is easy and people are quite forgiving of the occasional faux pas. Just remember to remove your hat before entering the wat compound, and remove your shoes before treading on holy ground. Generally, this means you should take off your shoes before entering the vihara. Taking photos is not a problem but, as a matter of courtesy, ask permission before snapping away. It is polite to greet monks by placing your hands in the satoo (‘praying hands’) position and one should never shake hands with a monk. Above all, do not worry too much about it. Respect and courtesy go a long way.
Wat Botum
Significant because it is one of the city’s original wats, it was founded in 1422 by King Ponhea Yat. It took its current name in 1865 and its present structure in 1937. Of photographic note: The wat compound is crowded with ornate stupas. Just northwest of the intersection of Sothearos and Sihanouk.
Wat Langka
is one of Phnom Penh’s five original wats (1422). First established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings. Just southwest of the Independence Monument.
Wat Neak Kravorn
dominates the western skyline of Lake Boeung Kok. This Wat was inaugurated in 1967 and the vihear houses some very unique wall paintings. West on Conf. de la Russie. Turn right at a small street east of Nehru, go through the train yard.
Wat Ounalom
is another of Phnom Penh’s five original monasteries (1422). It formerly housed the Institut Bouddhique and library. On the riverfront about 250 meters north of the National Museum.
Wat Phnom (See above)
Wat Preah Keo Morokat (Silver Pagoda) (See above)
Wat Than
is unspectacular in appearance but rich in spirit. The interior of the vihear is unusually devoid of paintings giving it a rather barren feeling. But the Wat Than Skill Training Workshop more than compensates. It has provided training and employment for handicapped individuals since 1980. The handicrafts they produce make interesting and worthwhile souvenirs. Just off Norodom blvd. near Royal Air Cambodge at #206 Norodom.

Locals Promenade: Have a look at the area below the Cambodiana Hotel. Local people hang out and go for a stroll and many homeless people build a hut on the river bank and live in boats on the river.

Nightlife: is a dusk to dawn affair. Before midnight there are a variety of night venues from which to choose.
The bars in the InterContinental and Hotel Le Royal with their live music are popular upscale places to begin the evening.
Even more popular are "neighborhood pubs" including riverfront bars such as
Cantina, Riverhouse Lounge and Mikey’s,
Freebird on Street 240, My Lien and Black & White Bar near the Golden Gate Hotel,
the new Dingo Bar, the very congenial Talkin to a Stranger,
and Zanzibar located amongst a small cluster of drinking establishments on Street 104.

A bit later the legendary Heart of Darkness, and the Ginger Monkey near the National Museum, as well as the blokey Martini Pub, and Sharky, all begin to get busy.
After 2:00AM the choice narrows but continues till sunup.
Walkabout, Ginger Monkey, Soho2 and the Heart are often still busy at 3:00AM. Walkabout offers all night western menus.

Live Music:
The lobby bars at Hotel Le Royal and InterContinental offer nightly live music. Live jazz at Riverhouse Lounge (Tue. and Sun.) GooChi advertises live music every night and La Croisette has music and entertainment (Thurs. and Fri.) Cafe Sontipheap (Wed.) and Bar Why Not (Fri.) offer open-mike/jam sessions. Check the Bayon Pearnik magazine and the back page of the Friday Cambodia Daily for more live music venues.

NGO Books and Information
The Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and NGO Forum are excellent resources. The CCC offers an extensive library of NGO produced publications and resources/indexes about/of NGOs in Cambodia. #9-11, Street 476. Tel: 023-214152. www.ngoforum.org.kh

BOOK SHOPS:
Bohr’s Books - Used and new books. Buy, sell, trade. 9, Sothearos Tel: 012-929148
D’s Books - Used and new books. Children’s books. 79, Street 240
FCCC - New SE Asia related books and intl magazines. 363, Sisowath Quay - 2nd floor Tel: (23) 210142
International Stationery & Book Center - Office supplies, some books, good selection of maps. 37, Sihanouk Tel: (23) 218352
London Book Centre - Largest collection of used books in Phnom Penh. 65, Street 240 Tel: (23) 214258
Monument Books - Phnom Penh's primary new book seller. Largest collection of new books in the country. Some newspapers and magazines. 46, Norodom

Oudong
About an hour west of Phnom Penh, just off Route #5, lay the hills of the abandoned royal city, Oudong. Oudong was the capital of Cambodia from the early 17th century until 1866 when the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. Several temples, stupas and other
structures cover three hills. The walk up the hill provides an excellent countryside view. There are stupas containing the remains of several Cambodian kings including King Monivong (1927-1941) and King Ang Duong (1845-1859). The earliest structure is from the 13th century. These hills were also the site of some of the Khmer Rouge’s most prolonged resistance against the encroaching Vietnamese army in 1979. For something completely different, take a side trip to ‘Prasat Nokor Vimean Sour’, a concrete, unduly ornate, semi-replica of Angkor Wat built circa 1998. Buses depart for Oudong every hour minutes from the Ho Wah Genting station. 3000R.

Kien Svay (Koki)
Thirty minutes east of Phnom Penh on Route #1. Hundreds of stilted wooden picnic platforms line the shore and float on the edge of a lake (Koki Beach). Rent a mat and snack on a variety of local delicacies. More for the locals than foreign visitors. Buses depart 8 times per day from the Ho Wah Genting station. 5000R.

Phnom Chisor
On the top of Phnom Chisor sit some very nicely preserved 10th/11th century temple ruins. The 503 steps to the top of the hill make for a fairly vigorous climb but the quality of the ruins and the amazing view of the countryside make the climb worth it. Shared taxis: about $8 per person. Often combined with a stop at Tonle Bati. Buses depart for Takeo every hour from the Ho Wah Genting station. Get off at Prasat Neang Khmau or the 52km road marker and take a motodup to the base of the hill.

Prasat Neang Khmau
Two small Angkorian era temples built in the 10th century C.E. under King Jayavarman IV. The temple complex is named after Neang Khmau, ‘Black Lady’, whose statue is located in front of the temples. The nearby modern era pagoda sits on the site of a third temple ruin. Buses depart for Takeo every hour from the Ho Wah Genting station. Get off near the 51km road marker.

Prek Leap
Only a few minutes away from Phnom Penh, Prek Leap begins just on the other side of the Chruoy Changvar Bridge (Route #6A) where scores of restaurants line the road, most serving Khmer and Chinese fare. A couple of kilometers further several little roadside corn on the cob stands and picnic platforms sit along the side of the road, catering primarily to the locals.

Tonle Bati
Tonle Bati is a lake and popular picnic spot for the locals - bamboo picnic stands and mats by the water. On the road to Tonle Bati there are two Angkorian era temples, Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau, both of which offer some interesting bas-reliefs in fairly good condition. Both temples were built under Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century during the same period that Bayon and Angkor Thom in Siem Reap were constructed. Often combined with a visit to Phnom Chisor a bit further down Route #2. The turnoff road to the Tonle Bati area is near the 35km road marker. Buses depart for Takeo every hour from the Ho Wah Genting station. Get off at Tonle Bati and take a motodup to the temples.