Built by King Norodom Sihanouk in the mid-19^th century, the Royal Palace is a fine example of French architecture. It comprises several buildings separated by high yellow walls, courtyards and numerous trees. You will have the chance to visit the Throne Hall, a cross-shaped building with one of the three spires being as high as 59 meters; the Chan Chhaya or “Moonlight Pavilion;” the Silver Pagoda; the Khemarin Palace, which is the current official residence of the King of Cambodia (entrance is prohibited); and the Napoleon iron Pavilion which was a gift from France in 1876.

The Silver Pagoda, known as Wat Preah Keo in Khmer, is a compound of the Royal Palace. It comprises several buildings and houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues, a 17^th-century baccarat crystal Buddha commonly referred to as the “Emerald Buddha,” and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha. Almost half of the objects in the pagoda were stolen by the Khmers Rouges. Around the pagoda can be found a library, a bell-tower, 20^th-century stupas and temples, that also house some treasures such as Buddha’s footprint and King Norodom’s parents’ ashes.

Typically Khmer, the National Museum of Cambodia was built by the French in 1920. Six rooms display works of art that are mostly pre- and post-Angkorian including meditating, reclining, seated and standing Buddha statues, Lingam, Ganesh, drums, paintings, bronze, stoned and lacquerwork weapons. The objects date from the 4^th century BC to the 20^th century BCE. Besides the interesting collection, the architecture of the building stands as an example of typical Khmer architecture.

Phnom Chisor is a hill located 42 kilometers of Phnom Penh. On the top of the hill, after 412 steps to climb, there is a temple that can be visited. The Takéo Province to which the place belongs is the cradle of the Cambodian civilization. Bamboo cabins, a 11^th-century temple, a library and a restroom have been damaged during the war without being restored since then. Phnom Chisor is a charming place that displays interesting features of the Khmer culture.

The Russian Market bears this name because of the many Russian expats that used to shop there in the 1980s. Worn and crowded, the market is actually very typical and stands as a witness of the locals’ history. It is the place to shop for souvenirs such as silk, bags, clothes, suitcases, jewels and many others. Everything may not be genuine but you could find some treasures. Also, there is some kind of an open food court behind the market.

Not far from Phnom Penh, Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is also referred to as the killing fields. It was the extermination camp of the Khmers Rouges. 80 out of 129 mass graves have been reopened, 9,000 people died, 166 headless skeletons have been discovered: though it is a very tragic place, Choeung Ek ought to be a place of memory. A memorial stupa was built in 1988 containing more than 8,000 skulls behind clear glass panels. Admission to Choeung Ek includes a very good audio tour.