Phnom Penh - Capital Of Cambodia

 

Fresh Flower Stall

Beautiful Bouquet Of Lotus Flowers

Fragrant Liliums

Fragrant Liliums

This is one of the fresh flower stalls from Central Market in Phnom Penh. While pronouncing Phnom Penh, please keep in mind that Ph at the starting and h at the end are silent. So you have to say only nom pen! If you think that this is difficult, you can try saying the city's old name..it's Krong Chaktomuk Serimongkul!!!

The Central market is a must visit place in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. 

Central Market
📷Wikimedia Commons

This building is built in Art Deco style. A huge central dome painted in bright yellow has four wings, all of them are lined by shops. Jewellery, gemstones, gift articles, souvenirs, clothing, watches,toys.. name anything and most probably,you will get it here in Central Market.

Central Dome
📷Wikimedia Commons

Wing of the Central Market, bustling with shops.
📷Wikimedia Commons

This building is built in 1937. When we went there in 2012, it was recently renovated. The height and ventilation of this building bring in fresh air in this otherwise very crowded place. This is the place where you can see tourists as well as local crowd. 

Phnom Penh is capital of Kingdom of Cambodia (Kampuchia). Cambodia has a really turbulent past. Cambodia had human settlements even in 4000 B.C. Surely some glorious centuries in the history were there with Hindu and Buddha influence, nearly till 14 th century. For four centuries after that, history is very poorly recorded, and this period is known as dark age of Cambodia. There were many invasions and wars and Cambodia was on the verge of getting destroyed. Then came the indirect French rule nearly for a century. The second half of the twentieth century was marked with shifts in political and administrative systems, not once or twice..but many times.The genocides, massacres, massive killings in the Khmer Rouge or Polpot reign from 1975-1979 will always be remembered as a dark spot on humanity. 

Currently Cambodia has constitutional monarchy. Currently Norodom Sihamony is the king since 2004. His father King Sihanouk died on 15 October 2012 in Beijing and his funeral took place on 4th Feb 2013 in Phnom Penh. When we had visited Cambodia in December 2012, his body was kept in Royal Palace. All over the city, we could huge hording and photos of the deceased king. 

Late King Norodok Sihanouk

 Phnom Penh is a city built by French and is located on the confluence of Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers. Phnom Penh has beautifully developed river front areas at many places in the city. 

Riverfront area

 The evening stroll on the riverfront or a boat ride in the river is surely makes the evening more enjoyable. 

Boat ride

From the boat you can see many constructions of tall buildings which are rapidly filling the skyline. Rising over the turbulent past, Cambodia is trying to go with the modern world, the technologically advanced world. In that process, the urban facilities are not enough for the huge population which now wants to settle in cities. Traffic jams are a common sight. But some people have overcome many of the hurdles and are living on floating houses! They even have a dish antenna on the boat. 

Floating homes

How the city is named as Phnom Penh? The legend tells us that once in 14 th century, an old lady named Penh found a wood floating in the river. When she brought that wood on the banks, she found 4 statues of Buddha. Somewhere it is mentioned that she had also found one statue of Vishnu in it. The temple was built on a hill and so the name of the city is Phnom Penh- hill of the Penh. The temple built by her is known as Wat Phnom- Temple on the hill. 

The hill is about 30 mt in height and the campus is huge with many structures in it and is known as Wat Phnom Historical park. 

Stairs leading to the main pagoda

Main Pagoda

Mural on the wall 

Buddhist Shrine Inside the pagoda

Main Stupa in Wat Phnom

View from the hill 

National museum in Phnom Penh is a must see place. The building itself is very artistic. It is a traditional terracotta structure with courtyards and garden. It's nearly 100 years old building. 

Entrance of the National Museum

Garuda

Photography is not allowed inside the museum. There are beautiful Vishnu and Shiva statues, as well as a huge collection of Angkor- the golden period of Cambodia historical artifacts. You can see the main points in history of Cambodia. It is such a huge collection in the museum. You can read some Sanskrit inscriptions in the museum.

Though you can't take photographs in the museum halls, you can take photographs in the courtyards. So here are the photographs of the beautiful building!

Courtyard with garden and pond

Typical traditional architecture 

The pond

 

Ganesh in the Garden

The Royal Palace complex consists of many buildings including the residential quarters of the present king. Many other buildings are open for public. There is a silver pagoda having Silver tiles. There is one emerald Buddha statue made up of solid gold and is decorated with diamonds and other precious stones. There are royal throne hall, pagodas and other building. Taking photographs inside the building is not allowed. On the walls of the oldest part of the palace, some frescoes of Ramayana scenes can be seen. 

Pagoda in Royal Palace Complex

One of the buildings in Royal Palace Complex

Golden colour is abundant! 

Interesting tower

Ganesh Statues collection in the palace

Royal Throne Hall

Pagoda in Royal Palace Complex

In Phnom Penh,The Killing ground where thousands and thousands of people were killed as well as Genocide museum are included in the tourist list. But I could not gather enough courage to see both of these. Both the places are a dark spot on humanity. You can surely search on net and read about it. Please do that. 

Near the Royal museum everyday there is a musical show where we could see some of the Cambodian Customs and rituals. Interestingly some of the wedding rituals were same as Hindu wedding rituals in India.

Wedding Rituals

Wedding Rituals

Wedding Rituals- Praying 

Scaterring of flower petals on the Bride and Bridegroom

walking with each other around the central prayer 

The major tourist attractions and must see places are near by. If you walk along the Sisowath Quay riverfront, you can cover most of them! 

Panoramic view from the riverfront garden.

Statues of soldiers in the park 

Riverfront

Apsara Dance ballet is very famous in Cambodia. You can see beautiful posters of the dancers at many places in Phnom Penh. 

Poster of a ballet dancer. 

There are taxis available easily in the city. There is one more interesting mode of transport. 

Scooter Rickshaw 

While in Cambodia if you need vegetarian or vegan food, you have to be really cautious. At least in 2012, every time we had to inquire a lot about the ingredients of the food, even if they call it vegetarian! We were walking in the city and near the market I saw this cart. I couldn't understand what it was, so I went near to it and took a photo. Can you make it, what is it??? People were buying this like we buy some corns or fruit slices!! The vendor was packing this in a bag with the sauce in that jar! 

Can you guess it?? Write in the comment box!!

Phnom Penh is having international airport and is well connected with many countries. We spent here two days and two nights while going to Siem Rip- Angkor wat from Singapore. If you have lots of time in hand you can spend two or three days in Phnom Penh. Otherwise one day in Phnom Penh is sufficient. The museum is a must visit place in Phnom Penh. It gives you an overall idea about the history, religion, art and culture of Cambodia which helps you while seeing Ankor Wat and other temples near Siem Rip. 

Angkor Wat... in another post ..some other time!!