Tuol Sleng Museam
Known as S21 during the Khmer Rouge time, this former school was used as an interrogation
and torture center described by one local travel agent as "quite horrible and
not attractive but a tourist never regrets seeing it". A must if you want to
learn about Cambodia. There is no entrance fee but donations are welcome.
National Museum
Home to artifacts from the ancient Angkor empire and other examples of Cambodian
art. It also has a beautiful and tranquil garden. Entrance fee is $2 and another
$2 if you want to take photographs.
Royal Palace
Only available to view from the outside. Home to King Sihanouk. However, it is possible
to visit the Silver Pagoda, which is in a separate compound from the palace, by negotiating
with the guards and paying $2. Entrance is through the Palace gate opposite the Renakse
Hotel.
Wat Phnom
Sundays are the best days to visit when locals promenade in their best clothes. Visitors
are recommended to cover up as much as possible. Look out for the flashing lights
inside the Wat.
Independence Monument
Built in 1953 to celebrate the ending of French rule. The surrounding gardens are
lively day and night and popular for wedding photographs.
Tonle Sap
This is the main river through the city which merges with the Mekong River and divides
again into the Bassac River. The most-lively spot is in front of the Royal Palace
where cool breezes and glowing sunsets make it a popular family hang-out. Sundays
are particularly busy. You can rent boats on the riverside near the port for $10
an hour or $70 a day.
Boeng Kak Lake
The lake north of the city has some nice restaurants and offers a wonderful place
to relax.
Olympic Stadium
Hundreds of locals study martial arts at sunset, making a delightful spectacle. Free
entrance.
Theaters
English-language cinema, Monivong Blvd., near Sivutha Blvd. $3. Chenla and Tonle
Bassac Theaters. Check for events.
Swimming Pools
Costs $5 per day at the Cambodiana Hotel and $10 at the International Youth Center.
Posing
Along Issarak Blvd. there is a small and, as yet, uncleared minefield just past the
Russian market on the right-hand side. Have your photograph taken by one of the signs.
Outside Phnom Penh
Choeung Ek ("The Killing Fields") A 15 km drive SW. The Capitol Hotel has
cars, charging $4 for one person and $5 for two. The center piece is a glass monument
filled with skulls. A quiet, moving place. No entrance fee but donations welcome.
Koki Beach
16 km south-east. Boats and ferries can be found along Phnom Penh's river-front or
take a moto-taxi on Route One.
Tonle Bati
35 km South. The lake and temple from the Angkorian times are popular with weekend
picnickers. Travel by car or moto on Route Two. It can be hard to find.
Phnom Cisoth
10 km from Tonle Bati. An old house of an Angkorian king. People climb the hill on
Sundays to make donations to the monks on top. The fortune-tellers only speak Khmer.
Khieng Svay
20 km East on road to Vietnam. Big pagoda, not old but nice. Locals eat by the Mekong
and swim.
Mekong Island
One hour by boat on the Mekong. Famous for silk production with occasional traditional
dancing. Good food stalls.
Oudong
40 km on road to Kompong Thom. The old capitol of Cambodia, the center-piece is a
heavily-shelled temple. There are restaurants. Locals visit Sundays to give donations.
Nice Lake
Again popular on Sundays, the lake on the road to Kompong Speu offers good swimming
during the dry season and is little-used. An ideal place for picnics.
