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Phnom Penh |
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Royal
Palace
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Built in 1866 King Norodom, the Royal Palace is now home to His
Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihakmony. The King's private
residence houses a collection of artworks from artists around the
world and is a place where he pursues his royal duties. Most
building in the palace compound are closed to the public except
on special occasion.
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Silver Pagoda
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It's the most impressive withness to past Khmer splendor
surviving the destructive Khmer Rouge era. The Pagoda is one of
the richest shrines in the world, with a floor made of silver
tiles (using 5 tons of this metal) and a life size Buddha made
of 90 kgs of gold and encrusted with 9584 diamonds, the largest
being a 25 carat stone.
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| Wat Phnom 
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In 1372 the hill (Phnom) was chosen as the site for a Pagoda,
built to horse Four Buddha Srarues found on nearby river banks
(the Four arms of the Mekong). These statues were discovered by
a woman name Penh and the village became Phnom Penh (the hill of
Penh). On top of teh hill, a large stupa of housed a statue of
Madme Penh and the ashes of King Ponhea (1405-1467), who made
this place his new capital after abandoning Angkor.
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| National Museum
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The distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture
was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 of art objects
that have been collected and conserved from all over the country
and which are on display to visitors. All the artifacts are
dated back to pre and post Angkorian era including later Khmer
items. They are made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood,
and other materials.
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| Independence
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An Angkorian style tower, located in the heart of the capital.
It was built in 1954 to symbolize Cambodian Independence Day
after winning back their independence from the French on the 9th
of November 1953.
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Phsa Thmey
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It's on the central point of Phnom Penh. One can find many
things such as gold shops, money changers, electronic shops,
stationary, second hand clothes, food, watches etc...
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Russian
Market
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The Russian
Market has a good selection of silver, gold and jewels, but also
carries huge selection of curios, silks, carvings, etc. It
offers the largest selection of boot-legged VCDs, DVDs, and CDs
of all of the traditional markets.
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Choeung Ek
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Choeung Ek Killing Field is located 16 kilometers out of Phnom Penh. More than
17,000 individuals were put to death at this location. Most of
them previously tortured in Tuol Sleng Prision. |
Siem Reap
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Angkor Wat
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Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world. It is unlike all
the other khmer temples in that it faces west, and it is
inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. It's symmetrical tower are
stylized on the modern Cambodian fklag. Intricate bas relieves
surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The way
the light glows on the ancient stones makes sunrise and sunset
the best time to wander through Angkor Wat's 2 sq km, climb its
towers and ponder its creators.
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Angkor Thom
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The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally "Great
City", built in the 12th Century by Jayavarman VII,
contains the famous Bayon temple with its more than 200 enormous
mysterious faces.
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Bayon
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At the center of Angkor Thom (Literally Great City),
which forms the heart of the Angkor complex as it is today. This
inner city is surrounded by a moat, and approached at the four
cardinal points viahuge stone gates and causeways flanked by
statues of gods and giants, the Bayon forms a three tiered
pyramid with 54 towers, each dominated by over 200 huge, 4metre
high, mysterious faces facing out to the north, south, east and
west.
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Bakheng Hill
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Visit: Late
afternoon and sunset for the views from the summit.
The construction of this temple mountain on Bakheng Hill, the
first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, marked
the move of capital of the Khmer empire from Rolous to Angkor in
the late 9th century AD. |
Leper King
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Leper King Terrace is believed to be
part of the Angkor Thom's Palace. Its outstanding features are
the high relief depicting the Yama God with Naga as background
telling about the towels of the earth where Naga resides, the
high relief on top row depicting the Devatas (celestial beings). |
Elephant Terrace
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Situated in the heart of the Angkor Thom, about 350 meters long
and 3 meters high with the stone floor and stairs. The terrace
is the place for kings to view the military parades, exercises
and celebration as well as the Royal quests receptions. |
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Ta
Prohm
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Ta Prohm is the temple that has been left largely in its natural
state since its discovery by French archeologists. Surrounded by
jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the
roots and Limbs of massive Banyon trees, which envelop the
stones like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at
Angkor, dedicated in 1186.
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Banteay Srei
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Stands in isolation about 32 kilometers from Angkor
Wat like a jewel enshrined in case of jungle greenery. It is the
most intricately carved of all the temples, in pink sandstone.
Built in A.D 967, the temple marks a clear transition in
architecture. Unlike its heavier multiple-terraced predecessors,
Banteay Srei or the ": Citadel of the Women", is built
on one level with its exquisite tower shrines and libraries
creating a delicate sense of space.
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Floating Village
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In a country where fish is the staple source of protein and land
is at a premium, most villages are located along the lakes and
rivers and many are built to actually float on the waterways.
This is especially the case around the shores of the enormous
Tonle Sap Great Lake. |
Apsara Dance
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At the heart of classical dance is the Apsara, the graceful
movements of the Apsara dancers, adorned with gold headdresses,
silken tunics and skirts, are carved on the walls of many
temples at Angkor. |
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Sihanouk Ville |
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Beach
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Visit full days or spent one night in
Sihanoukville (Kampong Som). Sihanouk is not only the main
seaport of Cambodia, but also a best spot for swimming
snorkelling, or just sunning on the beach. |
