Major attractions in or near Phnom Penh

To visit the major attractions really only takes about 2-3 days, but there are other things to do.

Tuol Sleng Known during the Khmer Rouge regime as S-21 this former school was converted into Cambodias most important prison in 1975. More than 10.000 people were tortured here before being killed at the Killing fields south of Phnom Penh. The museum is easily accessible and a must-see not only for everyone interested in Cambodia's horrific recent past.

Royal Palace/Silver Pagoda The Royal Palace and two magnificent pagodas in the Palace Grounds (the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are among the few public buildings in Phnom Penh really worth seeing. They were built in the 19th century with French technology to Cambodian designs, and have survived the traumas of the 20th century amazingly intact. See them early before it gets too hot.

Independence Monument The impressive Buddhist-style Independence Memorial, commemorating the departure of the French in 1953, dominates the centre of the city.

The Killing Fields About 17km south of Phnom Penh is Cheoung Ek, where the Khmer Rouge killed many thousands of their victims during their four-year reign of terror. Today the site is marked by a Buddhist stupa packed full of human skulls - the sides are made of glass so the visitors can see them up close.

Other attractions include:

• Oudong
• Friendship / Liberation Monument.
• Hun Sen Park

Shopping Attractions:

• Psar Thmei (New Market or better known as the central market
• Psar Toul Tom Pong / The Russian Market
• Psar O Russei
• Psar Olympic
• Psar Dang Kor
• Psar Char

Other attractions:

• Dining in one of the small stilted restaurants that line route 6a
• Fishing in one of the fish farms located south on route 1.
• River cruises. If you can, get a midnight cruise on a small boat
  through the semi-submerged trees along the banks of the Mekong
  on a moonlit cloudless night.
  You can only do this in the rainy season though.
• Go Karting
• The Rifle Range
• Mini Golf
• The Water Park

For more information look at www.canbypublications.com they are a good source of information about Cambodia or check out some of the other web sites listed on the links page.