| 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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