Phnom penh is the capital and the biggest city of Cambodia which has lots of Historic colonial building and death fields during the genocide in 1979 by the authoritarian regime . The city was first established in the year 1372 and was the capital of the unified cambodiya after the fall of Ankor Thom . After that it fall sleep in the time of history and reestablished in the year 1865 by Cambodian king Norodom . Then after french made it’s colonial capital and now the capital of the cambodiya under the constitutional monarchy .
——- Before going to tuol sleng museum be prepare to see some disturbing images of Human killing , torture and skulls . You may feel very disturbed of seeing this images ———
Tuol sleng Genocide Museum :
This was a school before 1975 when this school becomes the torture camp for the dictator regime . 14000 people tortured , among them very few survived . This peoples are the educated society , most of them are political prisoners , teachers , doctors and social activists . Few kilometres from there is a Choeung EK killing field where those raise their voice against government are killed or you can say encountered .
In the circumstances of this museum , you can see some people selling their books who are the survivor of this brutal torture .
This museum is opened between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and cost 10 USD for the entry .
——— Before visiting this city be prepared to some bitter experienced . People of this city are not as friendly as Seam reap . The atmosphere in this city are not tourist friendly and Sometimes the Host in the Hostels misbehave with you for just some money . Just after they got the money behaviour changes . If it is not essential I suggest you to skip this city there is not much to see except some memoir of the genocide in 1975 . ———-
Wat Phnom Historical Sites :
Wat Phnom is the oldest and most important temple in Phnom Penh and the city name comes from this Buddhiest Temple .
History tells that once a wealthy lady Penh find a koki tree floating over the Tonle sap river and inside it was four gold Buddha idol and one stone Vishnu statue .
Then she ordered the villagers to make a hill in this place and make a wooden temple with that tree where the idols can be housed .
This place is 27 meter high and from this place you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city
This temple opens from the 7 am to 6 : 30 pm and entry fees is USD 1 .
———- Cambodiya is one of the poorest country in the south east asia . In the tourist spots near to the river side and other touristy areas , you can see lots of young kids selling fruits , foods and other intoxicant . They might not get good chance of education . This is the reality in the capital Phnom penh , then you can guess the actual situation in the country side of cambodiya ——–
Phnom penh Riverside :
Phnom penh riverside is one of the relaxing place for the people of Phnom penh and Tourist in the evening . From this place in the evening you can ride a boat to enjoy the Mekong and view of the surrounding places .
From this area people can enjoy the view of the Mekong . Lots of hawkers try to sell you different things some of them are children . The Road is full of traffic in the Evening .
Central Market Phnom penh :
This market is the biggest market in the city of Phnom Penh . This building was made by the french colonialism government in the year 1937 .
Now it is the central point of the city and most of the long distance buses and mini vans leave near to this place . There are countless numbers of shops from jewellery to fashion items to vegetables and food inside this market .
This market opens from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm .
Independence Monument :
This Independence Monument was build in the year 1958 to celebrate the independence from the french in 1953 . This is a lotus shaped monument which resembles to the Khmer style architecture from ankor Wat . Beside this monument there is a small park where you can see the Magnificent king Sihanouk’s statue . Independence day parade is organised in this place .
Mekong River Cruise :
River cruise happens specially in the Sun Rise and the Sunset timing . This cruise will show you the city’s skyscraper from a distance , passing through the Royal palace of Phnom penh . Some boats also make a journey to the tonle sap floating Village . In this boats there will be some cultural shows and musical performances .
Summary :
Phnom penh is the capital and the biggest city of Cambodia . It has a dark history of Genocide by the Authoritarian regime in 1975 . Some of the tourist sites in this city are related to this . Mekong cruise is one of the attraction among the tourists . People here are very poor and you can see lots of children selling different food items in the riverbank . This city is not tourist friendly like Seap Reap . Roaming around the Mekong by boat is a relaxing experience .
