Phnom Penh Surroundings

The Killing Fields - Boeung Choeung Ek 
Situated 15 kilometres south-west of Phnom Penh and made famous by the film of the same name it was a place where more than 17,000 civilians were killed and burried in massive graves; many of them transported here after detention and torture in Toul Sleng.

This place is a chilling reminder of the brutalities of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. In the centre of the area is a 17 story glass stupa which houses 8000 skulls exhumed from mass graves. Open daily. Entrance fee US$1 per person.
Please note that both the Toul Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields exhibits may be disturbing for some and aren't suitable for younger children and adults who are easily shocked.

Independence Monument
Built in 1958 as a memorial to Cambodia's war dead after the gaining of independence from France in 1953, the monument, built in the Angkorian style, consists of five levels decorated with 100 snake heads. It is at its most impressive later in the afternoon with shadows highlighting the complexity of the design and giving the structure a warm orange glow.


The Tonle Sap Riverfront
The recently refurbished riverfront park is the focal point for the Phnom Penh residents' leisure activities. Early risers can see the many locals welcoming the new day with Tai Chi and other exercises while the sun rises majestically over the river. In the early evening and all day Sunday many people stroll, picnic or just sit and watch the world go by. Local delicacies are served by vendors all along the riverfront and visitors can indulge in dried salted fish or another favourite, boiled duck embryos still in the shell.


National Library
The National Library is located next to the Royal Hotel and just West of Wat Phnom. This graceful building, another example of French colonial architecture, built in 1924 and set in floral gardens was sacked by the Khmer Rouge and turned into a stable. Many of the discarded books were picked up by the locals who donated them back to the library after 1979. Open daily from 8 am to 11 am and 2:30 pm to 5 pm. Entrance free.

The Markets
Of the more than a dozen markets in Phnom Penh many of them are of little interest to visitors, selling, as they do, general household purchases in many of the districts of the city. There are, however, several centrally located markets of real interest to shoppers, browsers and souvenir hunters alike. Be warned that nothing is priced and bargaining is a must, but unlike some neighbouring countries, haggling here is good natured and fun. 

The Central Market (New Market) is one of the largest and busiest markets in Phnorn Penh. Built in 1937 by French architects and surprisingly cool, even in the heat of the hottest day, many interesting products are available. The eastern side, which is the main entrance, has many souvenirs and ornaments on sale from T-shirts to large stone heads. In the centre are the many jewellery stores and precious stone vendors as well as a plethora of electronic goods merchants, cloth sellers and other dealers; most of them selling things considerably cheaper than back home.

The Toul Tom Pong Market (The Russian Market) is probably the city's best source of objects d'art. Items for sale include wooden and stone carvings, various ritual objects, silverware, and old lndochinese notes and coins. There is a large range of antiquities and curios for those prepared to ferret around the various stalls and there are also gold and silversmiths inside the market who can be seen custom making jewellery. This too is a good source of both Cambodian and Chinese silk and clothes. This is one of the most popular markets in Phnom Penh with foreign residents and tourists who can spend many an interesting hour browsing before choosing that perfect gift. 

The O'Russei Market on the North side of the Olympic Stadium is a typical Cambodian market catering to the everyday needs of the populace. Here the sights and smells of this market give the visitor the feel of a local market with many house- wives still purchasing their foodstuffs on a daily basis. This market is full of local character and one can only imagine the banter that takes place between all the vendors and customers. Here, is one of the best selections of the different types of fruit from all over the region, though the choice, naturally, depends on the season. 
The Olympic Market is probably one of the cheapest markets in town with lots of wholesaling going on here. It was renovated and reopened in 1994 as a three story modern building with reportedly Cambodia's only escalators.

Mekong Island
A full day trip to Mekong Island is an excellent way to sample the daily lives and traditions of rural life in Cambodia. This ten-hectare island has been planned as an authentic showcase of the cultural, zoological, and agricultural diversity and richness of Cambodia. 

The price includes transport, excellent lunch and a captivating show of traditional Cambodian dance. There are also elephant rides available on very friendly Asian elephants.

Kien Svay
Eighteen kilometres away from Phnom Penh, Kien Svay is the definitive Cambodian leisure resort. Every weekend many Phnom Penh residents get away from it all and relax by the water. Here they rent "Water Houses", covered platforms built on stilts sunk into the river, and picnic on the water. They are accessible by boat and the platform owners take you there and back. There are also relaxing boat cruises that take you around the resort area.

Mo Ha Liep Resort Centre (The children's park) 
This recreation area is out of Phnom Penh on the route to Kien Svay. This is a large park where 70 kinds of fruit trees have been planted with all of them being labelled in English and Khmer. There is a large swimming pool and Khmer food is served daily.

Udong
An ancient capital from the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowing site of the kings is located atop two parallel ridges 40 Km North of Phnom Penh. Udong offers spectacular views of the surrounding country and the innumerable sugar palm trees that punctuate the countryside. 

King Ang Dung, the great grandfather of the present king, King Sihanouk, was crowned here and many locals and foreign residents alike picnic here on weekends. 

Phnom Chisor
This ancient Khmer temple stands on an 80 by 100 metre square plateau and faces East. Constructed in the 11th century of laterite and brick with carved sandstone lintels, the complex is surrounded by the partially ruined walls of a two and a half metre wide gallery with inward facing windows. As with the other hilltop temples there are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Phnom Chisor makes an ideal excursion combined with Tonle Bati / Ta Prohm Temple.

Tonle Bati / Ta Prohm Temple
Not far South of Phnom Penh on the route to Phnom Chisor is a 12th century temple, Ta Prohm, built by Jayavaraman VII (1181-1201). Consecrated to the Buddha and the Brahma, the temple is noted for its refined bas reliefs. 

Nearby is a smaller temple, Yeay Peau, which also has remarkable stone carvings. Near Ta Prohrn is a small lake, Tonle Bati, which is similar to Kien Svay as a leisure resort though on a smaller scale. Again there are "Water Houses" for rent and various food stalls.