Mar 9, 2012

Phnom Penh

Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, the capital Phnom Penh is chaotic but very charming, the typical Asian atmosphere, all surrounded by markets and pagodas. We stayed right next to the Central Market, walked around for three days visiting the main temples and many markets, with a sight into the city night movida!

Central Market - The Psar Thmay was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre. It consists of four wings dominated by a central dome. Within the four wings and around the compound outside are on sale almost anything you can think of, including electronic equipment, clothing, watches, bags, suitcases, dried and fresh foodstuff, jewellery, clothes from cheap t-shirts to kroma (Khmer scarves), pseudo-antique, books including photocopied travel guides and lots of souvenirs.



Royal Palace - a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a good example of Khmer architecture featuring its layout of the defensive wall (kampaeng), throne hall (preah tineang), Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morakot), stupas (chedei), towering spires (prang prasat) and mural paintings.
The Silver Pagoda was inlaid with more than 5000 silver tiles but unfortunately most of it is covered by a carpet, anyway there are also many gold and jeweled Buddha statues.


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