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PHNOM PENH
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National
Museum |
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Located just north of
the Royal Palace, the National Museum was recently rested to its
former glory as one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. On
display there are more than 5,000 artifacts and objects of 'art from
the 6th to the 13th centuries. They include sandstone sculptures,
royal barges, palanquins and silk, intricately woven with silver and
gold threads. There are also rare religious objects in gold, silver
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The Independence
Monument commemorates the 1953 end of French rule over Cambodia.
Designed by a Cambodian architect, the Naga (a mythical bird
symbolizing strength and benevolence) motif of the monument is a
symbol f the country's htmlirations. The Naga also adorns most
important buildings in the country, including the Olympic Stadium and
the Chatomuk Hall, which marks the convergence of four main river: the
upper and lower Mekong, the Tonle Sap and the Bassac. |
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Legend has it that
after a major flood a wealthy Khmer widower named Daun Penh found a
large tree on the bank of the Tonle Sap with four ancient statues of
Buddha hidden inside. In 1434 she decided to erect a large hill and
build a temple to house sacred relics. Today, Wat Phnom remains the
highest artificial hill in Phnom Penh and the center of many forms of
religious activities. |
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Built in 1866 by His
Majesty Preah Bat Norodom, the Royal Palace is now home to his Majesty
Preah Bat Nodom Shihanouk and Her majesty Preah Reach Akka-Mohesey
Norodom. Most of the buildings inside the palace are closed to the
public, except for special occasions. Also within the palace walls is
the Silver Pagoda, which draws its name from the 5,000 silver tiles
that pave its floor. Inside the pagoda there are hundreds of gifts to
Cambodian king, including a solid-gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 |
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diamonds weighing 90
kilograms. For those who love shopping, there are several markets that
offer handicraft, silk, silver ware, wood carving, precious stones
from the country's famous mines, as well as antique furniture and
paintings by local artists. |
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Toul Sleng and
Killing Field |
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When
the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975 they converted a
former high school in the suburbs of Phnom Penh into a
detention and torture center known as Toul Sleng,
S-21. A genocide museum was established at Toul Sleng
after 1979 and today it remains as it looked when
abandoned by the Khmer Rouge. Hundreds of faces of
those tortured line the walls inside the old school. Most of the 17,000 people detained at Toul Sleng were
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eventually transported to Choeung Ek, a mass gravesite
located 15 km outside Phnom Penh. Known to locals as
the Killing Field, Choeung Ek serves as a memorial to
those killed under the Khmer Rogue rule. These sites
can be extremely distressing, but are and essential
part of understanding Cambodia’s tragic past. |
| SIEM
REAP |
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The
Majestic temples of Angkor in northwest Cambodia
belong to the classic period of Khmer art and
civilization. Today, a millennium after they were
built, they awe visits with their perfection and
enmity. The temples are the creation of a
succession of dominated most of Khmer Kings who
presided over an empire that dominated most of
present-day Southeast Asia from 800 to 1430, reaching
its peak in the 12th century. The period began with
the ascension to the throne by King
Jayavarman II.
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Angkor
Wat is the largest temple in the world, with a volume
of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt.
It is unlike all other Khmer temples in that it faces
west, and it is inspired by 12th
century Hinduism. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took
several decades to build.
Intricate base relief surround Angkor Wat on
four sides.
Each tells a style.
The way the light glows on the ancient stones makes sunrise and
sunset |
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the
best time to wander through Angkor Wat's 2 square kilometers, climb its tower. |
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The
ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally
"Great City, "built in the 12th century by Jayavarman
VII,
contains the famous Bayon temple with
its more than 200 enormous mysterious smiling faces.
It also contains the 300 meter-long Elephant terrace with its large
sculptured royal elephants and Garudas,
the mythical guard half-man, half-bird. Also within
the walled area is the terrace of the Leper King. A
sandstone replica of the Leper King is here. |
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This
is the fabled pink temple of women, so called because it
is made of pink sandstone & considered a tribute to
the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carving
and remarkable state of preservation make Banteay Srei
one of travelers' favorite temples. Its Apsara, male
and female divinities represent the most skilled craftsman ship of sandstone carvings.
It was dedicated
in 987, making it one of the oldest temples in the
region, though it was not rediscovered until the 1900s. |
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At
just about 42km north of Siem Reap Town, many
visitors combine a visiting to Phnom Kulen with a
trip to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay
Srei. On either side of the mountain, tall
waterfalls crash down the mountain; clean, clear
and cool water provide a wonderful place for
tourists. Carvings of Brahmin Yonis and lingas
can be seen etched into the riverbed. A mountain peak temple houses a huge reclining
Buddha, gazing serenely out from his peaceful mountain
home. |
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The
original “ River of a Thousand Lingams ”, Kbal
Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the
foothills the Cambodian jungle. Lingams are phallic
representations sacred to Hinduism as symbols of
fertility, and hundreds of them are carved into the
rock here, as are several carvings of Gods and animals
above the small waterfall. The area was only
rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean
Boulbet was shown the carvings by a local hermit. Kbal
Spean lies 50Km northeast of Siem Reap 18Km from
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to get there from Siem Reap. |
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Tonle Bati is the home
to two twelfth century temples Taprohm and Prasat Yeay Pov built close
to Bati Lake. Tonle Bati is a very beautiful lake, it is popular with
the locals for its breezy and tranquil atmosphere. It is 42km south of
Phnom Penh, takes about 1 hour by car. We will have lunch at Tonle
Bati before continuing our tour to Phnom Chiso. |
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Kampong Thom is a small
town located 162 Km, noth of Phnom Penh Capital along National Road No
6 to Siem Reap-Angkor. Kampong Thom is one of the five Province
surrounding Tonle Sap Lake. It is the base of important archaeological
site of Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of Chenla, is located
close to Stoeung Sen River, 35Km northeast of Kampong Thom town. More
than one hundred temples were built in 7th century. |
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Banlung is the
provincial capital of Rattanakiri province, situated 636 Km northeast
of Phnom Penh, and the best base from which to explore the natural
attractions to the area. There are many picturesque sites to see in
this province, which is remote, primitive and beautiful. Yak Lom Lake
is 3 Km from Banlung. This is small but scenic crater lake of an
extinct volcano with fest growing down to the lake she. The lake
offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking and swimming. You can also
ask around town about |
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elephant ride in one of the surrounding villages. There are numerous
waterfalls in province. The three most commonly visited are Cha Ong, Ka Tieng and Kinchan.
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The important temple
complex of Preah Vihear, built on a crest of Dang Rek Mountains at an
altitude of 730m, dated from the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled
1002-49). This is probably the most dramatic location of any temple in
Cambodia. The main drawback is that it is almost inaccessible from
Cambodia unless you have the funds to charter a helicopter or willing
to spend a few tough days getting there. |
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Koh Kong |
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Koh Kong is located in the southwest Cambodia, 277 km from Phnom Penh.
70 percent of Koh Kong province consists of mountains, and 20 percent
of this is a coast line with 273 km length and 20 islands. There are
many attractions is Koh Kong, white sand beach, islands, rain forest,
waterfalls, mangrove habitat, and fishing. |
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Oudong |
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Oudong served as the
country’s capital under several monarchs from the 17th to the 19th
centuries. Royal ruins stand upon a hillock offering panoramic views
of the countryside. It is situated about 40km north of Phnom Penh. |
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| Ravy Angkor Tours
Phnom Penh
# 53A Vithei Preah
Trasak Pheam,
Boeng Raing, Daun Penh, Phnom Penh 12211,CAMBODIA
Tel : (855 23) 215 618, 986 772
Fax : (855 23) 215 618
H/P : (855 12) 944 673
Email:
ravyvoyages@ravytours.com
Siem Reap
# 0556, St. Watbo
Tel : 063 966 588
Fax : 063 966 588
H/P : (855 12) 944 673
Email:
ravytoursrep@online.com.kh
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