Phom Penh is a city full of attractions and memorable places for travelers. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are magnificent while the National Museum of Arts houses a priceless collection of artifacts and historical items in a country where history was all but effaced, making them even more valuable as links to the past.
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
The Royal Palace covers an area of 174,870 square meters and is open to visitors, even though the King of Cambodia still lives there occasionally (the king is in residence if the blue royal flag is flying). Different buildings have been added and restored over time, even up until the mid-1960s, but some date back to the 19th century.
Travelers can visit the Throne Hall with ceiling murals depicting the story of the Ramayana, the Moonlight Pavilion where classical Khmer dances have been performed for decades, and the Silver Pagoda, named after the five tonnes of tiles covering its floor. The Silver Pagoda also houses the famous Emerald Buddha.
Except for the area of the actual Royal residence, the Khemarin Palace, most of the Palace grounds and Silver Pagoda are open to the public. Enter from the gate on Sothearos Blvd about 100 meters north of Street 240. Guide pamphlets and tour guides are available near the admission booth. Guided tours are recommended. Multi-lingual tour guides available. Admission: 25,000 Riel (US$6.25). Open everyday, 7:30-11:00 / 2:00-5:00. The Palace grounds are closed during official functions.
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