Sightseeing in Phnom Penh - what to see. Complete travel guide

Phnom Penh is a capital and the most populated city in Cambodia. This is a large political, cultural and historical center that has long started to attract attention of inquisitive travelers. According to one of the beautiful legends, the first settlement was established here in 1372. The name of the city can be literally translated from Khmer as “Hill of Mother Penh”. The founder of the first settlement was exactly nun Penh.

When she walked along the bank of the Mekong and saw a tree trunk sailing down the river. Something was sparkling in the branches. It was five statues of Buddha, four of which were bronze and one was wooden. Nuns created a high hill near the house and installed an altar with statues. A little later, the monastery of Wat Phnom was founded on this place. Remarkably, all these interesting events had taken place. The scientists have found quite a logical explanation of such unusual find. According to them, the sacred statues belonged to one of the Lao temples and were washed away by the river current during one rite.

Since its founding, the settlement has had a beneficial strategic position. In its territory, there is the junction of three rivers – Bassac, Mekong and Tonle Sap. At the beginning of the 15th century, the king of Cambodia decided to establish a new capital and chose Phnom Penh. According to available data, Phnom Penh gained an official city status in 1432 and had been a capital of the kingdom for more than 70 years. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city lost this significant status and restored it only in 1866. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Startling simplicity and authenticity are some of the distinguishing features of the modern city. Just as many years ago, the rhythm of life here is unhurried and sedate. The Cambodian capital is not full of vehicles. There are a few noisy entertainment venues. Nightclubs of the city do not destroy its harmonious atmosphere. Some main values of the city are unique historical monuments, picturesque streets with a long history and religious monuments. Several interesting museums work in Phnom Penh. They acquaint guests of the city with its fascinating history and culture. But do not limit your leisure program with sightseeing tours.

The Cambodian capital has long been a large center of silk production. On local markets, you can buy high-quality clothes, shoes and hand-made accessories at attractive prices. Electronic goods that are recommended to be bought with extreme caution are manufactured here too. One of the city distinguishing features is a great number of antique shops and markets. One of the largest markets is Hidden Treasures.

Despite the fact that it is prohibited to export antique items under the existing laws, there are a lot of buyers in such markets. The matter is that the significant share of all products on markets is ordinary souvenirs that have no historical value. When you go shopping, you should remember that a “genuine” piece of art can be purchased at an unreasonably high price. The enchantingly beautiful capital with its marvelous historical monuments and incomparable national coloring attracts more foreign guests every year.