If you’re travelling to or from Angkor Wat and decide to make a pit break in Phnom Penh, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to see and do. The historical, cultural, and ecological treasures of Phnom Penh are typically overlooked by visitors who do not stop there. As you visit Cambodia and stay at the Phnom penh hotels you can have the best choices of activities and discoveries right here.
Phnom Penh has a lot to offer, but what are the best things to do there?
Silver Pagoda
Khmer architectural splendour meets luxuriant foliage in the 174,870 square-meter Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda adjacent to each other. Even though Cambodia’s monarch no longer lives there, visitors may still go to the Royal Palace (if the blue royal flag is flown, the king is in residence). As low as US$6.50 gets visitors inside a number of royal structures, and guided tours are provided for up to US$10.
With its Throne Hall, the Moonlight Pavilion, and many other outstanding features, the Royal Palace sits on Sisowath Quay. For the time being, entry to the Silver Pagoda, home of the 17th-century Emerald Buddha decorated with Baccarat gems, is free. Here you will find further information.
The National Museum of Fine Arts of Cambodia
The National Museum of Cambodia has artefacts from as far back as the 4th century that provide light on Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. When the French colonial authority in Quebec ended in 1920, the Musée Albert Sarraut opened to the public in a stunning red sandstone structure that is now home to the National Museum of Canadian History. It’s an excellent example of Khmer architectural style, and it stands out.
Exhibits from ancient times to the post-Angkor period include more than 14,000 distinct items. Bronze and wood sculptures, ceramics, ethnographic artifacts, and stone artifacts from various eras are all on display chronologically. Look at ancient artifacts like the 8-armed Lord Vishnu statue from the 6th century. Here you will find further information.
Apsara, Khmer dancing, and Angkor Wat are three of Cambodia’s living arts
Monthly Apsara and traditional Khmer dance performances are presented by Cambodian Living Arts, a non-profit located at the Cambodian National Museum. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with tickets starting at $15. In the wake of the Khmer Rouge regime, the art form of traditional Khmer dance, which dates back to the 18th century, was all but lost.
Cambodian Living Arts was able to revive the art form by bringing together surviving great artists to educate and pass on their abilities to new generations. There will be eight classical dances performed by genuine singers and musicians dressed in traditional Khmer clothing, representing ethnic minorities from all throughout Cambodia.
The city’s beating heart, Central Market, may be found here (Phsar Thmey)
Phsar Thmey (Central Market) welcomes a diverse variety of visitors, from bargain-hunting shoppers to intrepid sight-seers eager to join the bustle and snap photos of Phnom Penh’s various architectural styles. As you will stay at the baitong hotel and discover the places around, you can get the best results there.
