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Phnom Penh is also the gateway to Cambodia...the temples of Angkor near Siem Reap City in the west, the beaches of Sihanoukville and coastal towns on along the southern coast (Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong,) the minority peoples, jungles and wildlife of the northeast provinces and a wide-open, unspoiled countryside of rice paddies, little villages and lost temples across the country.
As the capital city Phnom Penh is fairly young, only rising to the role in 1866, but is still steeped in history and offers several cultural and historical sites. The city was under French colonial control from 1863-1953, flourished in independence in the 1960s, evacuated under the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s and is now revitalized.
Much of the central city including the Royal Palace and National Museum was built during the French period. Both are open to visitors. The National Museum in Phnom Penh is the best in the country, displaying important Angkorian artifacts and rare pieces from later periods. Historical sites from the Khmer Rouge period include the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Memorial. Other historical sites such as the old capital of Oudong and the Angkorian ruins of Phnom Chisor and Phnom Da lie within an easy day-trip of Phnom Penh.
Much of the central city including the Royal Palace and National Museum was built during the French period. Both are open to visitors. The National Museum in Phnom Penh is the best in the country, displaying important Angkorian artifacts and rare pieces from later periods. Historical sites from the Khmer Rouge period include the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Memorial. Other historical sites such as the old capital of Oudong and the Angkorian ruins of Phnom Chisor and Phnom Da lie within an easy day-trip of Phnom Penh.
