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Phnom Penh was founded by a rich old lady named Penh, who built up a sanctuary on the hill called “Wat Phnom Daun Penh” (Old Lady Penh’s Pagoda). In 1434, King Ponhea Yat moved the capital from Bassac City (in the ancient Kampong Cham Province) to Phnom Daun Penh. The sanctuary was removed, and it was replaced by the King. Then he built up the hill and constructed a brick Stupa on top.

After the inauguration the King named the hill “Preah Chetdei Paravata” but nowadays it is simply called Wat Phnom. Actually, the first establishment did not last long, the capital moved from to place to another. Until 1866, in the reign of King Norodom, the capital moved to Phnom Daun Penh again and remains up to the present time. Phnom Penh is the sixth capital after Nokor Phnom, Angkor Wat, Longvek, Srei Santhor and Udong.

Phnom Penh a capital of Cambodia covering an area of 290 square kilometers, offers visitors plenty of opportunity for the city tour, shopping and dinner. It is home to the Royal Palace, National Museum and Wat Phnom, and it is the commercial political, cultural and tourism hub. Phnom Penh received the world leadership award Number One for Urban Renewal Planning for Population Boom.

Particularly, valuable products that can be found here include seafood, freshwater food, fresh fruit, traditional handicrafts, and artistic articles.

Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathpadei CHUON NAT Chotanheano, the First-ranked Supreme Patriarch of Mohanikaya Order
Statue of Preah Phirum Master OU (called Ngoy)

ROYAL PALACE

Firstly the Royal Palace was erected in the reign of King Ponhea Yat (1434), and secondly it was erected in the reign of King Norodom (1866). The Royal Palace was formerly called “ Preah Barom Reach Veang Chatomuk Mongkul” that the meant it was conveniently located at the confluence of four rivers (the Upper Mekong, the Lower Mekong, the Tonel Bassak and the Tonel sap). Nowadays it is only called “Preah Barom Reach Veang”
The Royal Palace is 402 meters, by 435 meters, and its complex is surrounded by a high pagoda-styled compound decorated with the boundary strings.
The Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. In a common word, it is like a small town of royal dynasties.
The Royal Palace is regarded as the symbol of the whole nation, and all the pavilions are adorned and painted with yell and white colors. The yellow represents Buddhism and the white represents Brahmanism.

SILVER PAGODA

The silver Pagoda was erected in the reign of King Norodom in 1892 and inaugurated in 1903.
King Norodom’s successor, King Sisowath, who was his younger brother, kept reigning and decorating the inner wall. And then, Prince Norodom Sihanouk restored it in 1962.

WAT PHNOM

The capital of Cambodia was named after Penh, a woman who founded a sanctuary on the hill in 1372 where the grand stupa still stands today. Tourists are much attached to the wat Phnom because it is a leisure and sentimental place.

INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT

Erected in 1955, the independence Monument symbolizes Cambodia independence regained from from French colonialism in 1953. This Monument is a copy of Bakong temple (the group of Roluos in the 9th century). The one hundred Nagas and snake motif can be seen in historical cultural, archeological, and business contexts.
The independence Monument is today used to commemorate the souls of combatants and heroes who laid down their lives for freedom of the country.

SUPER MARKET SORIYA

Soriya Market –a modern shopping center –is conveniently located south of the center Market and just in Trasok Phaem Street (St 63), On the block of the Phnom Penh market daily opens from 8:00am to 9:00pm.

PHSAR THOM THMEI

The vibrant capital is filled with far more color and culture, and some of the best places to witness the unmatched charm of the city are at its traditional markets. There should be plenty of time to go shopping at many markets. Phsar Thom Thmei “The Now Market” erected in Art Deco in 1930 is a Phnom Penh landmark. Its central yellow dome sprouting four wings is chockfull of stalls selling clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics, stationery and souvenirs. It is a good place for seeking a large selection of Buddha images, bronze, ware, cottons, folk handicrafts, jewellery, Khmer silks, pewter ware, Pottery, precious stones, silver ware, wooden carvings, and classic musical instruments.

When bargaining, visitors should carefully think about it and thoroughly enjoy it. They will get memorable souvenirs

PHNOM OUDONG

It is situated in Ponhea Leu District, Kandal Province, and 45 km north of Phnom Penh. One can reach it by National Road No. 5. Phnom Oudong is also called Phnom Preah Reach Trap, Phnom Athareus and Phnom Preah Chetreus. It is a mountain, which is rich in cultural patrimonies. For tourists, Oudong is not only a fantastic cultural site but also a charming natural one. It was formerly used as a Khmer's capital city during 1618-1866.

KOH DACH

Koh Dach located 20 km northeast of Phnom Penh has an area of 30 square kilometers. One can reach it by National Road No 6A and by boat along the Mekong River. It boasts a traditional silk weaving village in which local craftsmen are skilled at spinning and weaving for their livelihood. It also boasts fishing villages on the bank of the river. One can enjoy their skill in weaving and the superb scenery of fishing there.

MEKONG RIVER

The Mekong River crosses Cambodia from North to South about 600 km and has its source in Tibet, China. The Mekong River is a lifeline for Cambodia due to the movement of freshwater fish to the Great Lake.
In Phnom Penh, it bursts into 4 branches:

- The Upper Mekong River or Tonle Thom
- The Lower Mekong River or Tonle Toch
- The Tonle Bassak
- The Tonle Sap

This four-way division is called “Chatomuk” Because the river seems to have 4 faces. In the wet season, water flows from the Mekong River into the Tonle Sap Lake. In the dry season, the water flows back from the Tonle Sap Lake into the Mekong River and then to the sea. At that time, Cambodian people celebrate the water festival in Phnom Penh.