CAMBODIA
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Tourist
Attractions
Phnom Phenh
Situated at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle
Sap Rivers, Cambodia's capital, Phnom
Penh, has a population of approximatively 1,000,000. Despite
the dilapidation resulting of the recent decades of war,
the city retains its traditional and colonial charm. French
colonial villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the
visitor that the city was once considered the gem of South
East Asia. Recent political changes have encouraged an
economic boom, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and
nightclubs spring up around the city.
Once known as "The Paris of the East", the forced
evacuation of the population by th infamous Khmer Rouge
in 1975 left it a ghost town for five years. Today the
city has revived, while retaining its ppre-war charm.
Motorbikes and transport for the populace, and a leisurely
ride in pedicap, (called "cyoclo") is a relaxed
way to get acquainted with some of the many highlights
of this once beautiful city, whose classic villas and
parks are being restored. Taxis are available for short
excursions.
The capital still retains an undeniable charm despite
its tumultuous and often violent past. It has several
impressive wats (temple-monasteries) that include: Wat
Ounalom, Wat Phnom and Wat Lang Ka. It is also home to
the spectacular Silver Pagoda, which is one of the few
places in Cambodia where artefacts embodying
the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture can still
be viewed. There are also displays of Khmer crafts in
the National Museum and the Royal Palace, King Norodom
Sihanouk's official residence.
The National
Museum
Situated near the Royal Palace, Cambodia's
National Museum offers a charming setting for the display
of a stunning collection of khmer art. On display inside
are more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 6th
to the 13th century. Treasures include sculptures, 19th
century dance costumes, Royal barges and palanquins. Visitor
can rest by the peaceful, palm-shaded central courtyard
and lotus ponds and contemplate one of Asia's richest
cultures.
The Royal Palace
Located on the site of the former citadel, it was built
in 1866 by King Norodom, the Royal Palace is now home
to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdach Preah Norodom Sihanouk,
King of Cambodia, and Her Majesty Preah
Reach Akka-Hohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen.
Most of the buildings inside the palace walls are closed
to te public except on special occasions. Within the palace
compound are the coronation hall, the entrace, which houses
an open-air theater for the Royal Dance Troupe, and a
balcony for Royal apearances, an open-air pavilion often
used for entertaining and viewing of the King's movies,
and the King's private residence, which houses a collection
of Cambodian artwork from artists around the world, and
his office, where he actively pursues Royal duties. The
architecturally incongruous Napoleon III pavilion-shipped
and reassembled in Cambodia - was a gift
of the French Empress Eugenie in the early 20th century.
Outside the southeast wall of the palace is the house
of the white elephant traditionally used for special regal
occasions including Royal births, deaths or weddings.
The Silver Pagoda
Also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, it is located
in the walls of the Royal Palace. Inside, it's floor is
comprised of 5,000 silver blocks. In the center of the
pagoda there is a maginficent 17th century emerald buddha
statue made of baccarat crystal. The walls enclosing the
pagoda are covered of frescoes depicting esisodes from
the khmer version of the Ramayana, the Reamker.
Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek
A genocide museum was established after 1979 at Tuol Sleng,
a central torture centre of the Khmer Rouge. Choeung Ek,
a mass graves site located 15 kms. outside of Phnom Penh,
also serves as a memorial to those killed under the Khmer
Rouge rule.
Wat Ounalom
Facing the Tonle Sap near the Royal Palace, this pagoda
serves as the headquarters for one of Cambodia's
Buddhist patriarchs.
Wat Phnom
A top the artificial hill built in the 15th century stands
a stupa containing the ashes of a king from the same period.
There is also a small Buddhist pagoda. Wat Phnom is a
city landmark and a popular place for worship.
Around Phnom Penh
Koki
Foreign visitors and cambodian alike flock to this riverside
picnic resort just outside of
Phnom Penh. It is a perfect place to enjoy the watery
world of rivers and lakes.
Koh Dach
Traditional silk weaving villages on a Mekong Island.
A half day boat trip
Mekong Island
A one hour boat trip brings tourists to this resort situated
on a Mekong Island. Tourist may dine in the restaurant,
visit the zoo and the weaving villages, ride elephants,
and
watch traditional dance performances.
Sunset
Cruise on the Mekong and Tonle Sap
A one hour cruise will take you along the river to watch
the daily live of the people living on and around it.
You will admire the sunset, a pivileged time when the
water is all shining of gold under the declining rays
of the sun.
Oudong
Situated about 40 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, Oudong
served as the country's capital under several monarch's
from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Royal ruins stand
upon a hillock offering panoramic views of the countryside.
Tonle Bati
38 kilometers southeast of Phnom Penh, Tonle Bati hosts
two noteworthy 12th century temples. Ta Prohm, built by
Jayavarman VII, is consecrated both to Buddha and to Brahma,
and is interesting for its refined bas reliefs. Yeay Peou
also has very refined bas reliefs.
Prasat Neang Khmau
Also known as the temple of the Black Virgin which may
once have served as a sanctuary to Kali, the dark goddess
of destruction, it is situated at about 55 kms. south
of Phnom Penh. Its towers were built in brick.
Phnom Chiso
59 kilometers southeast of Phnom Penh Chiso is and eleventh
century temple set upon a small mountain offering a panoramic
view of the countryside.
the health and vigour of Khmer civilisation. Their irrigation
purpose is nowadays a matter of debate among Angkor specialists.
The East Baray is now empty, whereas the Western one is
still half full.
Roluos
At about 10 kms. from Siem Reap, lies the complex of Roluos,
one of the first Khmer capital built by Jayavarman II,
then called Hariharalaya. Today we can visit three remaing
Hindus sanctuaries: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. All three
temples were built of brick and though they are not as
spectacular as the other temples of Angkor, they are well
preserved and very interesting.
Siem
Reap
The world-renowned temples of Angkor are situated in the
Northwestern province of Siem Reap. Within an area of
approximately six hundred square kilometers, over one
hundred temples have been discovered. All were built between
the 9th and the 13th centuries. The remaining temples
only constitue the skeleton of what was once the religious
and administrative centre of the Khmer Empire.
If time is limited, visitor may choose to follow "the
petit circuit", including visits to the Royal City
of Angkor Thom with its numerous temples, Angdor Wat,
the royal bathing pool of Sras Srang, and several other
monuments. Extended tours contimue to the "grand
circuit", visiting a number of other prestigious
temples such as Banteay srei or Bantey Samre, Situated
slightly further from the main temple complex.
Note :
One day pass ticket costs USD 20 per person. Two day pass
ticket will cost USD 40 per person. Three day pass ticket
will only cost USD 40 per person. Please buy tickets only
from the official counters and do not accept to purchase
the 2nd hand tickets. Ticket must be kept by the visitor
and shown on demand during its validity.
Angkor Wat
This temple was constructed under the reign of Suryavarman
II. It is probably one of the largest religious monument
ever built. The temple complex covers 81 hectars and is
dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. It aligned East to
West as are funeral monuments. The temple is a representation
of the Hindu cosmology. The central monumnet represents
the sacred Mount Meru, and the 5 towers symbolise Mount
Meru's five peaks. The temple greatest's sculptural treasure
is it's 2 kms long bas-reliefs around the walls of the
outer gallery and the hundred figures of devatas and apsaras.
Angkor Thom
This Royal City was built under the reign of Udayadityavarman
II in the eleventh century and was renovated by King Jayavarman
VII at the end of the 12th century. Inside its walls we
find many monuments
The Bayon
This temple mountain built by Jayavarman VII is stauated
in the centre of the royal city. It is a three-tiered
pyramid wiht its entrance facing East. The central shrine
is surrounded by 54 towers all crowned by gigantic faces,
representing Lokiteshvara but with the features of Jayavarman
VII. They gaze out to the north, south, east and west
and wherever you are in the temple, you are surrounded
by these enigmatic faces smiling at you all the time.
The Baphuon
This temple built by Udayadityarvarman II was the most
poorly constructed af all the temples constructed in Angkor.
From the remaining ruins, it is possible to see how it
was imposive and must have been an important one. This
temple hill was dedicated to Shiva, but in its reliefs
many motives from the Vishnu epic can be seen.
Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Lepper
King
At the north of the Baphuon lies the Royal city from which
very little remains except this towo Terraces. The first
one owes its name from the outstanding depiction of elephants
and the second one owes it to the sculpture of King Yasovarman,
popularty known as the Lepper King. This statue is now
in the Phnom Penh National Museum.
Small
Circuit
Ta Prohm
This temple was a monastry built by Jayavarman VII as
a residence for his mother. It has deliberately been left
under the destructive power of the growing trees by the
French archeologists to show how nature can destroy man's
work.
Takeo
This temple was built in the 10th century by Surayavarman
I and its construction stayed unfinished. It is a pyramid
on 5 levels whose total height is 22 meters. It is dedicated
to Shiva.
Banteay Kdei
This temple was constructed by jayavarman VII between
tyhe 12th and 13th centuries. Its system of galeries and
vestibuls that were added after the construction of the
main towers makes it look like a cloistre. It was built
in sandstone and is now very dteriorated. There still
are some very beautiful lintels and pediments.
Sras Srang
The royal pool is situated opposite the east gate of Banteay
Kdei. It is known as the King's bath.
Big
Circuit
Pre Rup
This temple was built in the 10th century by Rajendravarman.
Its proportions are just perfect and it is a beautiful
piece of work. In its construction we can already see
the first apartion of long halls which are very common
in the construction of temples with continuous galeries.
The Khmer people believe it was a funeral monument.
East Mebon
Built in the 10th century by Rajendravarman, this temple
was situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental
Baray. It has all the characteristics of the mountian
temple. It was accessible by boat only. From the inscriptions
found close to it, we know that Rajendravarman dedicated
it to his parents.
Neak Pean
Built by Jayavarman 12th, this temple is the perfect representattion
on earth of the cosmic world. It has been said that this
monument was consecrated to Buddha who reached the perfection
in Nirvana, and the ornemental lake surronding it were
meant for the pilgrims to wash and purify themselves before
reaching the supreme perfection. In the centre of these
ornemental lakes there is a small temple surrounded by
two nagas whose heads allow a passage on the west side.
This temple is one on the beauties of Khmer art.
Other Temples
Banteay Srei
This temple was built by a Brahman and was dedicated to
Shiva. Built in pink sandstone, it is an unique piece
of art with its very beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments
and friezes.
Phnome Krom
Built by Yacovarman I in the 10th century, this temple
built on top of a hill is intersting mostly for the view
that it offers upon the valley and the Tonle Sap Lake.
The temple is in a very bad conditions, but it's remaining
ruins are worth visiting. We recommend the visit at the
end of the afternoon, to enjoy the landscape and the refreshing
winds.
Barays
East and West Barrays are tow enormous lakes, both built
by men. They were central to the health and vigour of
Khmer civilisation. Their irrigation purpose is nowadays
a matter of debate among Angkor specialists. The East
Baray is now empty, whereas the Western one is still half
full.
Roluos
At about 10 kms. from Siem Reap, lies the complex of Roluos,
one of the first Khmer capital built by Jayavarman II,
then called Hariharalaya. Today we can visit three remaing
Hindus sanctuaries: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. All three
temples were built of brick and though they are not as
spectacular as the other temples of Angkor, they are well
preserved and very interesting.
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