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Visiting Koh Kong

- Friday, March 11, 2016 No Comments

VISITING KOH KONG

Koh Kong City is a small provincial town sitting about ten km from the international border crossing with Thailand. The travellers can see Koh Kong only briefly while they pass through the way to/from Thailand, but that is changing and the province is becoming an ‘eco-destination.’ To the north and east of the city the jangled Cardamom Mountains cover a lot of the province let you to do trekking, dirt biking and river excursion possibilities. Heading the other direction, secluded beaches line next to coastline and tropical islands.
There are a lot of mid-range hotels and guesthouses in Koh Kong and though there isn’t much to see in the city there is an international casino and one of the better zoos in Cambodia.

Getting to Koh Kong from Phnom Penh
Taxi about 75 dollars for a private taxi. There are several bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong using full size a/c buses. $12-13/person. Take around five hours duration. Buses arrive/depart the town, bus station in Koh Kong.
See The Sihanouk Ville Visitors Guide for more information


Accommodation in Koh Kong
Apex Koh Kong Hotel $10 - $40 Fan and a/c rooms with
CTV, DVD, mini-bar and en suite with hot water. Pool.
Restaurant serve Thai,  Khmer  and also western food.
Laundry, travel/tour services. Street 8.
Tel: 016-307919
www.apexkohkong.com

4 Rivers Floating Lodge $139 (breakfast included)
Floating lodge downstream the Tatai River. Unique tent-
ed floating villas with all amenities in the midst of lush,
spectacular jungle mountain scenery. Visa/MC
Tel: 097-6434032

Koh Kong Bay Hotel $35 -$150 Superior hotel on the
riverside. Well-appointed air-conditioning rooms with all modern
amenities and the best sunset balcony view in town.
Swimming pool and poolside bar. Visa/MC/TC
Tel: 077-555590
www.kohkongbay.com

Koh Kong Island Resort $25 - $70 (including breakfast)
Bungalows on a pristine beach on Koh Kong island, a
short boat ride from Koh Kong city. Fan and a/c, en suite
bathroom. Restaurant/bar.
Tel: 035-936371
www.kohkongisland.net

Koh Kong White Sand Beach $10 - $35 Bungalows on a
secluded beach on Koh Kong Island, from value priced
wooden bungalows with attached bathroom to large fami-
ly style bungalows. Fishing, trekking, kayaking, snorkeling.
Tel: 088-8340048
www.kohkongwhitesandbeach.com

Sunny Guesthouse $8 - $45 This guesthouse with pool
has a range of clean, air-conditioning rooms with one,
two or three beds and flat screen TVs. Sunny
Guesthouse also has studio-style rooms, and offers dis-
counts for long-term stays. Massage, laundry and tour
and ticketing services available.
Tel: 035-5005777, 061-666669

Thmorda Garden Riverside Resort $30 - $80 Bungalow-
style a/c rooms in a quiet natural location just off the
river. Clean air-conditioning rooms with TV, DVD player, fridge, free
wifi and en suite bathroom with hot water. River’s edge
restaurant, with thatch dining platforms over the river,
Specializing in Thai food and fresh seafood. Full bar.
West side of the river from Koh Kong City.
Tel: 097-3708070, 097-7812123
www.thmordagarden.com

Tour Operators
Ritthy Koh Kong Eco-Adventure Tours Full tour serv-
ice offer a wide range of eco-minded tours.
Cardamom Mountain area-waterfalls, Koh Kong
Island, kayaking, mangroves and jungle treks.
Tel: 012-707719, 097-5552789

Neptune Adventures Located on Tai-Tai River, also arrange
boating, kayaking and trekking and tours to the
islands, waterfalls, and mangrove forest. Rainy sea-
son kayaking.
Tel: 088-7770576, 097-9253000.

neptune.tatai.kohkong@gmail.com

Tags: General information

Creating Hotel Skills

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Creating Hotel Skills
Activity: Sala Bai Hotel School.
Location: Siem Reap.
Tip: The rooms are great value and staying here gives the staff valuable hospitality experience.

Help the 'students of rice' on their path to a new career in the hospitality industry with enjoying a meal or staying at Sala Bai.
The experience:  Sala Bai , students of rice, is a hospitality school in Siem Reap that offers hotel
and catering training to young disadvantaged Cambodians people. Both the hotel and restaurant are open to real customers to allow the students to get hands-on experience of the hospitality industry and prepare them for work in a real environment. The Sala Bai restaurant is available from November to July and offers both breakfast and lunch on weekdays. The menu is a blend of Cambodian and International cuisine and includes set meals as well as a la carte dishes. A full range of drinks is also available, including fresh juices and shakes and a well-stocked bar. If you like the food, then find the cook book that is available at the restaurant or online website of Sala Bai. The hotel offers three standard rooms and one suite, all of room are equipped with air-conditioning and hot water in the bathroom.

Staying there offers valuable experience for both the front desk team and the housekeeping staff.
How it helps: Established by the French NGO Agir Pour Le Cambodge in October 2002, Sala Bai offers professional training in the hospitality industry. Tourism is the lifeblood of Siem Reap thanks to the incredible temples of Angkor. Sala Bai help students the hand into the industry.

There is a practical restaurant and hotel within the school that allows staff to implement what they
learn in theory classes. Sala Bai offers priority to girls, who are the most excluded from the traditional school and employment system.
Female students currently make up about 70% of the intake. Students are between seventeen and twenty-three years old. The main objective is to offer students with high quality training in 4 areas: restaurant and bar service, housekeeping, kitchen and front office. Each year, the school enrolls 100 students, selected through an examination which includes tests, interviews and motivational exercises. 4 months of internship in high-class hotels offer the students first-hand professional experience which is a real asset in the search for a job. Students are also offered with accommodation, 3 meals a
day and a bicycle.
The Former Sala Bai Student who graduated from the new employment can support themselves and their family and assist in the development of their country. Sala Bai helps students with preparing a CV and completing application forms. More than 95% of Sala Bai students find work within 3 months of graduation, making the programme one of the most successful in Cambodia.

Location and booking information of Sala Bai
155 Phoum Tapoul, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Tel: (+855) [0] 63 963 329
E-mail: salabai.admin@online.com.kh
Web: www.salabai.com


A Cambodian Craft Centre

Activity: NCDP Handicrafts.
Location: Phnom Penh.
Tip: NCDP Handicrafts offers a tailor-made home décor service where customers can choose their own designs and colours.

Visit a boutique in the capital that offers a showcase for the best of Cambodian handicrafts produced by the disabled community.
The experience:  NDCP Handicrafts is a popular Phnom Penh retail outlet located in the National Centre for Disabled Persons. Operating for more than 10 years, NCDP Handicrafts creates high quality Cambodian products on sale in the boutique, and also orders for export.
Cambodian silk is a speciality and NCDP produces a fine range of handmade handbags, wallets, purses, and accessories, as well as larger items like cushion covers and throws. Scarves remain one of the most popular items and the store includes a superb range of colours and designs.
Other popular products including handmade cards, including wood carvings, seasonal Christmas cards ,
stone carvings and everyday items like souvenir t-shirts. All NCDP products are produced by members of Cambodia's disabled community.

How it helps:  NCDP Handicrafts offers income and employment for members of Cambodia's disabled community, helping them to lead a more normal life. NCDP projects want to raise the living standards of Cambodia's disabled community and the organisation offers support and training to an extensive network throughout the country.
NCDP Handicrafts works closely with artisans in the areas of design, manufacturing and quality control. The artisans benefit from a national outlet that let them to display their products. This is a shop window for the disabled community in Cambodia that let people from different provinces to display their crafts to a national and international audience.
NCDP helps about 150 of Cambodians people with disabilities each year to make a living through the sale of handicrafts. A further 450 people with disabilities are subcontracted as part of the production process and as many as 750 family members
benefit. All in all, as many as 1800 people benefit directly from NCDP projects each year.

NCDP Handicrafts is continually looking to improve the quality of its products and plans to expand its product line, supplying to more whole-sale businesses in other countries in overseas. It is envisioned that in time, this will make hundreds of new jobs for Cambodia's disabled community. Those supported through the work of NCDP include
the victims of landmines.

Location and contact information of NCDP
3 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Tel: (+855) [0] 23 213 734
E-mail: ncdp@online.com.kh
Web: www.ncdpcam.org
Open daily from 0800 to 1800

Tags: General information

Travel and transportation

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International border
Travel and transportation

Cambodia shares international border crossings with all neighbouring countries. The Bavet/Moc Bai crossing with Vietnam is the most convenient crossing to Phnom Penh. Southern Cambodia is most easily accessed through the Prek Chak crossing with Vietnam and Koh Kong crossing with Thailand. The closest international crossing to Siem Reap is the checkpoint with Thailand at Aranyaprathet/Poipet.
Cambodian visas are available on-arrival at most border crossings with all neighbouring countries.

Cambodia shares international border crossings with all neighbouring countries
Border with Vietnam Bavet Checkpoint: Moc Bai, Vietnam / Bavet, Cambodia (National Route No one to Phnom Penh) Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas not available at crossing border of Vietnam The Moc Bai crossing is the most convenient to Phnom Penh. The road to Moc Bai is in good condition, though the bridge over the Mekong at Neak Luong town is under construction requiring ferrying across the river. At high demand hours and holidays there can be long waits at the ferry crossing.
Bus: There are few bus companies offering direct a/c service between Phnom Penh and HCMC for $10-$12, taking about six hours. (Comfortable buses are more expensive.) No bus change at border. In HCMC, most of the bus stations are in the Pham Ngu Lao traveller area. International borders.

Ving Xuong, Vietnam/Kaam Samnor, Cambodia:
‘The Chau Doc Crossing’ Cambodian visas available at crossing border. Vietnamese visas NOT available at the border The ‘Chau Doc crossing’ on the Mekong River also offers direct access to/from Phnom Penh, and is interesting, in part, due to it requires at least some river travel. From Phnom Penh there are 3 options. All can be bought as package tickets.

1) Direct Ferry - Speed ferry from the Phnom Penh Port to Chau Doc. Approximately five hours. Price $25-$30.

2) Bus and Boat - Bus from Phnom Penh to the border at Kaam Samnar in Kandal province and then a river ferry the rest of the way to Chau Doc. ($15-$20).

3) Slow boat (the old route) – Bus to Neak Luong, where Route No one meets the Mekong (two hours).

At Neak Luong transfer to a local boat (five hours to the border) then catch a motorcycle to Chau Doc. Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia/Tinh Bien, Vietnam Availability of Cambodian visas unknown. Vietnamese visas not available at the border From Phnom Penh, take a shared taxi from Phsar Domkor to Phnom Den in Takeo province. Walk across the border to Tinh Bien. From Tinh Bien, take a motor- cycle or taxi to Chau Doc about ten km north.
Prek Chak, Cambodia/Xaxia, Vietnam Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas
not available at the border, this border crossing offers easy access between the coastal towns of southern Cambodia and the southernmost part of Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island. It is most directly accessed from Kampot/Kep.

Border with Thailand
Aranyaprathet, Thailand / Poipet, Cambodia Border Crossing: The Route to Siem Reap Cambodian visas available. Thai transit visas available. It’s a 465km, six to nine hour trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
The usual route start with a four to five hour bus or a train ride from Bangkok to the border crossing at Aranyaprathet/Poipet, and then on the Cambodian side three more hours bus or taxi to Siem Reap.

Direct Bus
There are direct buses between Bangkok and  Siem Reap. No bus change at the border, though you still have to deboard and walk through the crossing for visa, immigration and customs check.
The bus makes two to three rest stops along the way and a snack is served, but you may want to pack some extra food. Total trip: six to eight hours. Price: from $25 to $30 (750B), not inclusive of visa fees. Early buses leave around 7AM-9AM in both directions. Coming from Thailand make sure to get your Cambodian visa at the Cambodia “Visa on arrival” immigration station. In Bangkok, tickets are sold and buses depart from Morochit station. In Siem Reap buy tickets
through the Nattakan office on the Sivutha Blvd or at  a travel/tour agent. In Siem Reap the ticket sometime includes free pick up from your hotel.

Do it yourself
1) From Bangkok take a bus or train to Aranyaprathet.
Bus: four hours, departing the Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit) hourly from 4AM to 6PM.  Train: six hours, departs Hualamphong.

2) From Aranyaprathet, you just take a moto or tuk-tuk from the bus station to the border.
3) On the Cambodian side, take a shuttle bus to the transport station. From there you can take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap Had Lek, Thailand / Koh Kong, Cambodia: The Route to Sihanoukville Cambodian visas are available. Thai transit visas available. The usual route runs from Bangkok to Trat (five to six hours), then on the border crossing at Had Lek Thailand where you cross to Koh Kong City, Cambodia.

If you want to stay in Koh Kong there are many guesthouses and also some hotels as well as restaurants and a couple of bars. From Koh Kong City, bus or taxi to Sihanoukville (four hours) or Phnom Penh (five hours).

Tags: Phnom Penh

River Cruises in Phnom Penh

- Monday, January 25, 2016 1 Comment

River Cruises in Phnom Penh
The short river and sunset cruises along the riverfront of Phnom Penh are easy to organize and offer an interesting view of the city.

A tour cruise typically takes around one to two hours and runs up the Tonle Sap River along central riverfront area offering a picturesque view Penh Penh skyline and Royal Palace, and then across the Tonle sap and up the Mekong River to view floating Village.
(for take photo: Best lighting in the fresh morning as the low sun illusminates the riverfont.)
Long cruises aer also possible and can be tailored to your need. upriver tours to village and paddies , dinner and party cruises, setset cruises, trips to Silk Island.

Boat trips can also be arranged by hotel or travel agent or you can deal with the operators directly.
Tourist boats are clustered together on the river along Sisowath Quay just north Port of Phnom Penh.

Tags: Phnom Penh

Street 178 Phnom Penh

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Street 178 named Art street for the sculpture shops and art galleries that line the
National Museum of Phnom Penh.It further north on 178 stone masons work streetside near Wat Sarawan.
A lof of galleries on 178 focus on commercial and popular Cambodian art, but there are alson high quality silk boutiques and handicraft as well as a many good restaurants, bars and hotels.

Next to the river end of the street fews eateries dot the including Quay famous FCC at the corner of Sisowath Quay overlooking the riverfront.
Next to 178: Please check out the cluster of interesting little local curio shops on Sothearos just off 178 street. And the Street 172, a block north of 178 behind Wat Ounalom, have turned into a busy and popular backpacker/traveler street with a lof of bars, restaurants and inexpensive guesthouse.

The tree shaded Street 240 near by the Palace collection of boutiques and shops that offer Cambodian silk fashion, handicrafts and art art  as well as a fews restaurants/bars, wine shops, a bookstore and travel tour agent.

Royal Palace or silver Pagoda complex is near by street 240 its particularly convenient to check out the street after enjoy the sight of Palace.
The supreme Court building sites distinctively next to street 240 near by the Palace. It is particularly photogenic in the afternoon. with red roof and gold trim glowing with sunset. Just walk around the coner and on the street 240 to explore.

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Internet and its Lasting Impact on Cambodia

- Thursday, December 10, 2015 No Comments

Internet and its Lasting Impact on Cambodia

Internet is not that kind of revolution that can be termed as a subtext to some other invention. It in fact is literally a thing that has diminished contraction of time and space. The entire world came to one page not in terms of development or success but in term of access to the tools that can lead to the former. Above and beyond, it became a sharing experience with the arrival of social media websites. Those who felt unexpressed found new platforms to express themselves. Others who thought that the world is inaccessible had to rethink because virtually everything happened to be in their reach now. All the third world and developing countries witnessed an upward mobility after internet reached each and every household. This is where E camshopping and Kaymu have jumped in to facilitate the people who want to connect each other through marketplaces. 

Awareness in Cambodians through Internet

Once people start using internet in their homes, a thing that you can immediately observe is the awareness they get about the world. Similar is the case with Cambodians. Once people get onto the platforms like Facebook, twitter and other similar media channels, you get to experience a new life altogether. Though some psychologists suggest the less use of these social spaces, but there is no doubt that they create an extended self of yours. However, it is not bad if you keep a check on yourself.

Accelerated Economic Growth with Internet

It is a matter of common knowledge that as the internet users increase in a country, the increase is directly proportional to the GDP. One of the researches done by a leading financial policing institute suggests that on average internet accounts for 3.4 percent of GDP in large economies that make up almost 70 percent of the global economy. The same research also concludes that if internet is treated as a separate sector, it will add to GDP more than energy and agricultural sector. No doubt Cambodia is not behind. The important field that has opened up after the internet is online buying and selling. These virtual markets let the people interact and do transactions that otherwise in real life would be impossible. 

3G and its Revolutionary Impact on Economic Growth

The maturity of the ecosystem that Internet brought, has been achieved quite quickly as compared to other revolutions like Industrial revolution. Naturally, a thing first introduces to the people gets mixed response but over the years it reaches certain maturity level. 

Moreover, with the 3G technology things have changed drastically. People now have access to internet all day long and wherever they go. This completely changed the landscape of online buying and selling. Cities like Phnom Penh have a large population that is internet driven and loves to spend hours on internet daily. The future no doubts, whether it be of Cambodia or of any other Indochinese country dwells largely on the internet industry.

Tags: Siem Reap

Angkor Wat

- Tuesday, November 10, 2015 No Comments

ANGKOR WAT was recorded in World Wonder List 

Angkor Wat, in its excellence and condition of safeguarding, is unrivaled. Its power and wonderfulness bespeak a grandeur and an extravagance surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, a greatness more prominent than that of the Pyramids, a creative uniqueness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is situated around six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Section and exit to Angkor Wat must be access from its west door. 

Angkor Wat was inherent the first 50% of the twelfth century (113-5BC). Evaluated development time of the sanctuary is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, committed to Vishnu (Hindu), copy of Angkor Thom style of craftsmanship. 

Angkor Wat 

Foundation 

Angkor Wat, the biggest landmark of the Angkor gathering and the best protected, is a building showstopper. Its flawlessness in creation, parity, extents, alleviation's and figure make it one of the finest landmarks on the planet. 

Wat is the Khmer name for sanctuary (the French spelling is "vat "), which was presumably added to "Angkor "when it turned into a Theravada Buddhist landmark, probably in the sixteenth century. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was watched over by Buddhist friars. 

It is for the most part acknowledged that Angkor Wat was a funerary sanctuary for King Suryavarman II and arranged toward the west to fit in with the imagery between the setting sun and demise. The bas-reliefs, intended for review from left to right in the request of Hindu melancholy custom, bolster this capacity. 

Design PLAN 

The arrangement of Angkor Wat is hard to get a handle on when strolling through the landmark as a result of the immeasurability. Its many-sided quality and magnificence both pull in and divert one's consideration. From a separation Angkor Wat seems, by all accounts, to be a monster mass of stone on one level with a long thoroughfare prompting the inside however close up it is a progression of lifted towers, secured displays, chambers, yards and patios on distinctive levels connected by stairways. 

The tallness of Angkor Wat starting from the earliest stage the highest point of the focal tower is more prominent than it may show up: 213 meters (699 feet), accomplished with three rectangular or square levels (1-3) Each one is logically littler and higher than the one beneath beginning from the external furthest reaches of the sanctuary. 

Secured displays with segments characterize the limits of the first and second levels. The third level backings five towers –four in the corners and one in the center and these is the most conspicuous structural component of Angkor Wat. This course of action is infrequently called a quincunx. Graduated levels, one transcending the other, give the towers a conelike shape and, close to the top, columns of lotuses decrease to a point. 

Apsara 

Apsara Statue at Angkor Wat 

The general profile impersonates a lotus bud, Several engineering lines emerge in the profile of the landmark. The eye is attracted left and right to the flat part of the levels and upward to the taking off stature of the towers. The smart arrangement of Angkor Wat just permits a perspective of every one of the five towers from specific edges. They are not noticeable, for instance, from the passage. A large portion of the structures and patios are fit as a fiddle of a cross. The. Guest ought to think about the arrangement on page 86 and get comfortable with this prevailing format. A bended slanting rooftop on displays, chambers and walkways is a sign of Angkor Wat. From a separation it would appear that a progression of long limited edges yet close up from distinguishes itself. It is a rooftop made of nimbly angled stone rectangles put end to end. Every column of tiles is topped with an end tile at right edges the edge of the rooftop. 

The plan comes full circle in enriched tympanums with involved casings. Steps give access to the different levels. Helen Churchill Candee, who went by Angkor in the 1920s, thought their convenience surpassed their engineering reason. 

The progressions to Angkor Wat are made to compel a stop at beauteous obstacle that the brain may be arranged for the air of holiness, she wrote keeping in mind the end goal to get comfortable with the structure of Angkor Wat the guest ought to figure out how to perceive the dull components in the building design. Exhibitions with segments, towers, bended rooftops, tympanums, steps and the cross-formed arrangement happen over and over. 

It was by consolidating two or a greater amount of these perspectives that a feeling of tallness was accomplished. This course of action was utilized to connection one piece of the landmark to another. Rooftops were as often as possible layered to include stature, length or measurement. A littler imitation of the focal towers was rehashed at the points of confinement of two noticeable zones the exhibitions and the passage structures. The long interstate at the passageway returns on the opposite side of the section structur

Tags: Phnom Penh / Phnom Penh Sights

Phnom Penh City Sights

- Thursday, October 22, 2015 No Comments

Phnom Penh City Sights 

Phnom Penh's purposes of hobby are to a great extent recorded and social, yet they are just piece of investigating the city. Fascinating shopping, one of a kind feasting, liberal spas and a reasonable piece of nightlife finish the Phnom Penh experience.

For the sights, put aside a few days for the significant focuses. In spite of the fact that it is conceivable to crush the most critical sights into a solitary day, this leaves almost no time at every area. Mainstream sights incorporate the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Khmer Rouge 'Executing Fields,' the National Museum, the Russian Market, Central Market and Wat Phnom. Aside from the 'Killing Fields,' which are around 16km from the downtown area, the greater part of the significant sights are inside the city inside of a five or ten moment ride of one another.

Different things to do a see incorporate customary exhibitions (counting the extremely famous 'Plae Pakaa/Fruitful' at the National Museum.) And inside of day treks separation of Phnom Penh there are a few Angkorian-period ruins and other noteworthy destinations.

The vast majority procure transportation for half or entire day on end. Consider a cyclo or even a mobile visit for a more close take a gander at the city. There is additionally another 'Jump on-Hop off' a/c visit transport the circles past the greater part of the real in-city attractions once every hour, permitting an adaptable schedule. $15 for one day, $25 for two. The same outfit additionally offers twice every day transports to Toul Sleng and the Killing Fields. Book through your lodging or call 016-745880.

National Museum 

Affirmation: $3.00
Open: 8:00 - 5:00, open ordinary
Area: Street 178 and Street 13, by the Royal Palace

The unmistakable rust-red National Museum alongside the Royal Palace was devoted by King Sisowath in 1920. More than 5000 items are in plain view including Angkorian time statues, lingas and different antiques, most prominently the unbelievable statue of the 'Outsider King.' Though the accentuation is on Angkorian curios, there is additionally a decent gathering of pieces from later periods, including a unique show of post-Angkorian Buddha figures.

Going by the exhibition hall after as opposed to before an outing to the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap loans connection to the Angkorian relics. Multi-lingual visit aides are accessible. Trinkets and books accessible. Photography is constrained. The exhibition hall fringes Street 178, otherwise known as 'Craftsman's Street' which is lined with neighborhood workmanship displays and keepsake shops. The Reyum Gallery on Street 178 is of specific note, displaying the works of contemporary Cambodian craftsmen.

Royal Palace and 'Silver Pagoda' 

Affirmation: 25,000 Riel (US$6.25).
Open: ordinary, 7:30-11:00/2:00-5:00

Area: Sothearos Blvd (riverfront) between Streets 240 and 184

Denoting the way to deal with the Royal Palace along Sothearos Blvd the high yellow crenelated divider and spired Chanchhaya Pavilion stand unmistakably against the riverfront horizon. Inside the Palace grounds road sounds are hushed by the high dividers and the regal structures sit like resplendent islands ascending from the manicured gardens.

The Royal Palace serves as the habitation of the King, a venue for court function and as an image of the Kingdom. It was initially settled at its present area when the capital was moved from Oudong to Phnom Penh in 1866 under King Norodom and the French protectorate, however the Palace did not achieve its present general structure until around 1920. Khmer and European components and additionally unmistakable compositional echoes of the royal residence in Bangkok are available in the configuration of the different structures.

Appended to the Palace compound, Wat Preah Keo Morokat (the 'Silver Pagoda') is extraordinary amongst pagodas. So named for its silver tiled floor, it is the place the King meets with friars, Royal services are performed and it houses a gathering of extremely valuable Buddhist and authentic articles including the 'Emerald Buddha.' And, dissimilar to most pagodas, no ministers live at the pagoda. The sanctuary building, library and displays were initially built somewhere around 1892 and 1902.

Wat Phnom 

Affirmation: $1/individual
Area: North end of Norodom Blvd. at Street 96, in the focal point of the circuitous

A little slope delegated by a dynamic wat (pagoda) denote the unbelievable establishing spot of the Phnom Penh. The slope is the site of consistent movement, with a constant flow of the devoted trekking to the vihear, altars and crystal gazers on top and a group of stars of sellers, guests and motodups at the base.

The legend of the establishing of Wat Phnom is fixed to the beginnings of Phnom Penh. Legend has it that in 1372 Lady Penh (Yea Penh) angled a skimming Koki tree out of the stream. Inside the tree were our Buddha statues. She assembled a slope ('phnom' signifies 'slope') and a little sanctuary (wat) at what is currently the site known as Wat Phnom. Later, the encompassing zone got to be known after the slope (Phnom) and its inventor (Penh), subsequently the name of the city 'Phnom Penh.' f

The present sanctuary was last remade in 1926. The vast stupa contains the remaining parts of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh the mid fifteenth century. Search for the sacrificial table of Lady Penh between the extensive stupa and the vihear. She is said to be of specific help to ladies..

Independence Monument

Affirmation: None
Area: At the convergence of Norodom and Sihanouk Blvds.

The Independence Monument (Vimean Ekareach) was initiated in November 9, 1962, observing Cambodia's autonomy from remote tenet. Eminent Cambodian draftsman Vann Molyvann was the engineer of the landmark which is designed on a lotus blossom bud, embellished with Naga heads (multi-headed cobras,) and clearly reminiscent in configuration of the towers of Angkor Wat.

The Independence Monument now likewise serves as a landmark to Cambodia's war dead and in addition her autonomy. The Independence Monument sit in the focal point of the activity circle at the convergence of Norodom Blvd. what's more, Sihanouk Blvd. what's more, is the site of beautiful festivals and administrations on political occasions, for example, Independence Day (January 7) and Constitution Day (September 24.)

The Rivers

Arranged on the west side of the Tonle Sap River, Phnom Penh is, before all else, the city at the Chaktomuk on the Mekong River. - the 'four confronts' - riverine junction in the heart of Cambodia with the Tonle Sap River running northwest to the old Angkorian capital, the Mekong River north to Laos and branches south to the delta and the South China Sea. (see Phnom Penh History page for additional)

The River Front 

Some of Phnom Penh's most essential social destinations and in addition many bars, eateries and shops sit along the beautiful park-lined riverfront ignoring the chaktomuk - the intersection of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac Rivers. The Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum are bunched together between Street 178 and 240 and eateries and bars line the riverfront street Sisowath Quay, extending north from the Royal Palace territory the distance to Street 104 close Wat Phnom. Visit the Royal Palace and National Museum and walk around the riverfront for a beverage or a feast or to do some shopping. Simply off the riverfront, Street 240 behind the Royal Palace harbors a few eateries and astounding boutiques and Street 178 by the National Museum is known as 'Craftsmanship Street' and is spotted with fascinating little workmanship exhibitions and silk shops. Go-getters, look at the terrific dawn over the stream before the Royal Palace range.

River Cruises 

Short stream and nightfall travels along the Phnom Penh riverfront are anything but difficult to mastermind and offer an intriguing perspective of the city.

A visit journey commonly takes around 1 - 2 hours and keeps running up the Tonle Sap River along the focal riverfront territory giving a beautiful perspective of the Royal Palace and Phnom Penh horizon, and after that over the Tonle Sap and up the Mekong River to view coasting angling towns. (Photography: Best lighting in the early morning as the low sun enlightens the riverfront.) Longer travels are additionally conceivable and can be customized to your necessities - upriver visits to towns and paddies, supper and gathering travels, nightfall travels, treks to Silk Island.

Pontoon outings can be organized through your inn or travel specialists or you can manage the administrators straightforwardly. Vacationer water crafts are grouped together on the waterway along Sisowath Quay only north of the Phnom Penh Port. Beginning at around $15/hour, contingent upon the span and number of travelers.