Day 1: Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh, after she found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a nearby hill – or ‘phnom’ in Cambodian. We spend the day visiting:
WAT PHNOM: temple and location of the first pagoda built in 1372 by ‘Penh’ to house the four Buddha statues found on the banks of the Mekong. It is the only hill (27 meters) in the capital.
ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA: the royal palace stands on the site of the former citadel, Bantey Kev (built in 1813). Visitors are not allowed to some portions of the grounds, as the palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. The silver pagoda is often called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo after the statue housed there. The wooden temple was originally built by King Norodom in 1892 and inside, its floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver blocks which together weigh nearly 6 tons.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: this was designed by the French archeologist and painter George Groslier in a Khmer style in 1920 to exhibit works previously scattered throughout the country. It contains a collection of Khmer art including a beautiful 6th century bronze statue of Vishnu.
CENTRAL MARKET: a covered market distinguished by its central dome (built in 1937). It is filled with shops selling jewelry, fabrics and all kinds of souvenirs. A great place for browsing and bargain hunting.
Meals: None
Accommodation: The Juliana Hotel or similar
Transport: None
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