The 7 Biggest Cultural Site in Phnom Penh

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country renowned for its rich cultural history and ancient ruins. The country is home to several significant cultural sites that attract tourists and scholars from around the world. Here are five of the largest and most impressive cultural sites in Cambodia:

• Angkor Wat: Located in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and one of the most iconic landmarks of Cambodia. Built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple, it was later converted into a Buddhist temple. The complex consists of several temples, towers, galleries, and courtyards, spreading over an area of more than 400 acres. Angkor Wat is known for its intricate carvings, sculptures, and bas-reliefs that depict scenes from Hindu mythology and Cambodian history.
• Bayon Temple: Also located in Angkor Archaeological Park, Bayon Temple is known for its distinctive smiling faces carved on its towers. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, the temple was dedicated to the Mahayana Buddhist sect. Bayon Temple is known for its intricate carvings, sculptures, and bas-reliefs that depict scenes from Buddhist mythology and Cambodian history.
• Banteay Srei Temple: Located about 25 kilometers from Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei Temple is often referred to as “the jewel of Khmer art.” Built in the 10th century, the temple is made of pink sandstone and is known for its delicate carvings and sculptures. Banteay Srei Temple is a popular tourist destination due to its intricate and well-preserved artwork.
• Koh Ker Temple: Located in the northern province of Preah Vihear, Koh Ker Temple was the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century. The site consists of several temples, including the main pyramid temple, Prasat Thom, which is the tallest ancient structure in Cambodia. Koh Ker Temple is known for its unique architectural style and carvings, which are different from those found at Angkor.
• Preah Vihear Temple: Located on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, Preah Vihear Temple is a stunning Hindu temple perched atop a cliff overlooking the Cambodian plains. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, the temple complex consists of several temples, towers, and galleries. Preah Vihear Temple is known for its impressive architecture, intricate carvings, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

The 7 Biggest Cultural Site near Phnom Penh

Royal Palace

• Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (9899)
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  
  Martine Grant✭✭✭✭✭

  a month ago

  What a magnificent piece of architecture Love the very long fresque You also get to see some ancient collections of pottery, artifacts, clothing etc… the gardens are beautiful too. Worth the $10 entry fee The Silver Pagoda is amazing

  Ramesh Kumar✭✭✭✭✭

  3 months ago

  I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace today, and I was truly awestruck by its grandeur and historical significance. The fact that the entrance ticket for foreigners is only $10 is incredibly affordable given the richness of the experience it offers. The Palace’s visiting hours from 8 to 11 and 14:00 to 17:00 are well-suited for exploring, but I imagine it would be even more enchanting in the evening, with the palace illuminated. I highly recommend a visit to the Royal Palace, and if you have the chance, consider coming in the evening for a truly magical experience.

  Martha Canipe✭✭✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  How anyone can say there’s almost nothing to see here… is beyond me?? This is a priceless collection of gorgeous architecture, several small museums, the amazing Silver Pagoda and so much more. I was here almost two hours! I highly recommend seeing this historic and cultural highlight in PP. Fantastic!

  Also, I’m posting a photo below of the hours. I found it often difficult to get accurate open hours in Vietnam and am already experiencing that again in Cambodia. Google maps “claims” to have double checked the hours three weeks ago by phone, but has something different than at the Palace. Go early as it gets very hot quickly, and you’ll beat some of the tour groups.

  Sam Bouckaert✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  It’s beautiful. I can understand that for people who have affection for the Royal family of Cambodia this is an important place to visit but to me it is more like a tourist trap. There are other very beautiful and much more quiet temples throughout the city you can visit for free or a small fee. $10 seems very pricey for an entrance ticket. Also covering your shoulders is insufficient, you need to wear a shirt or similar, otherwise your obliged to buy a T-shirt provided at the entrance. Elbows and knees don’t need to be covered but dress appropriately. At the time we went we could see The Throne room, dancing hall and Silver Pagoda. Sadly enough we missed the dancing hall because they decided to close down 30minutes before actual closing time. You’re not allowed to enter the Throne room, it’s beautiful but not particularly decorated in Khmer cultural style, it resembles more a European 18th century throne room. No pictures from the inside because not allowed. I would recommend to see the palace from outside the grounds and not bother with entering it.

  Emil Andersson✭✭✭

  a week ago

  An absolute must when in Phnom Penh, beautiful palace with a wonderful garden surrounding it.

  I was one of the first to get here after the midday opening at 2 pm. No queue or anything. This meant that at first glance I couldn’t see a lot of people, but after 15 minutes there were large crowds covering a lot of the open spaces. And it got harder to look around. As the main building is closed for walking in. This meant there became queues by every window to look inside the throne room.

  Important to know when going here is that it’s not open all day. The opening hours differ and it’s best to ask the guards by the gate. Don’t ask or listen to the tuktuk drivers outside, some of them lie and try to scam you with giving you a trip to another place in town.

  When I was here (Jan 2024) the opening hours were 8-11 am and then open again 2-5 pm.

  When going here you have to dress appropriately, cover knees, shoulders and elbows. I had an t-shirt and long trousers. A scarf is not enough to cover, and they will check your clothes before entering, (and after buying the ticket). If you don’t follow the dress code there is a small clothes vendor who will sell you trousers and shirt for $3 a piece.

  The entrance fee was $10(good to know, this is the price to enter the palace grounds which also includes the silver pagoda). But I do think it’s a little bit too much.

  Why isn’t it 5 stars? I don’t know if it was just when I was visiting or it usually is this way. But a lot of the palace garden and grounds were closed for tourists. Looking at one of their maps and comparing it to the map we got when going in. About a quarter of the palace grounds was open for tourists to see. The rest was closed off. Good to note that when going here they were renovating some buildings. This may be affecting the rest of the area. But it was closed off far from the renovations. This made it less worth the $10, but there is still a lot to see and learn. I would still recommend it when you are here

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

• Address: ផ្លូវជើងឯក, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (1826)
• Phone: +855 23 305 371
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Reviews:
  
  Gagan Anand✭✭✭✭✭

  a week ago

  Truly heartbreaking. I wish I could say the memorial was peaceful but it was eerily quiet. Everyone who comes to Cambodia should visit it and do get the audio guide at the entrance, it’s easy to use and provides a lot of context to the history of the place and the country.

  M. K.✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  It’s an interesting place. And with a tour guide you get some very important infonations. I don’t like to read the posters there so either the guide is telling me the history or I’m just watching. The idea of a movie is nice but to leave the shoes outside not so and I still don’t get it why. The place is big and even when 4 or 5 busses are there (that was at the time) you still have quiet places.

  Andrew Chea✭✭✭✭✭

  5 years ago

  Wish I could call it beautiful, but it has a horrible history. Came to visit my country for the first time on a solo trip. This is a must for those that are born outside of Cambodia with a Khmer background. You will return back to your country humble. I recommend the audio tour, there are multiple stations you can visit and hear the story behind it.

  Philipp Klöckner✭✭✭✭✭

  4 years ago

  Although deeply sad and depressing, this memorial is a must when visiting Phnom Penh. It’s a respectful way to explore and understand Cambodian history. Make use of the audio guides which enable the perfect experience at your own pace. Again, though recommending this, I wouldn’t bring minors or visit if you feel not comfortable witnessing the barbarian crimes of the Khmer Rouge.

  Andrew McKiernan✭✭✭✭✭

  5 years ago

  The killing fields is a must go for anyone visiting Cambodia. It’s a horrible place but it’s important to go to so this will never be forgotten. The audio tour is very well informed and easy to use. There is plenty of facilities for tourists when you come. You’ll spend about two hours in total. It’s terrible seeing all the skulls lined up like that. There is detailed accounts of the victims. There is paintings of the methods used of torture painted by one of the surviours.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

• Address: រាជធានី, សង្កាត់​បឹង​កេងកង​៣ ខណ្ឌ​ចំការ​មន, St 113, Phnom Penh 12304, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (9919)

National Museum of Cambodia

• Address: Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh 120211, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.1 (5268)

Silver Pagoda

• Address: HW6J+XMV, Oknha Chhun St. (240), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (1707)

Statue of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk

• Address: HW4J+H2V, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (1655)

Wat Phnom Daun Penh

• Address: ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (6780)

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Top Cultural Site Alternatives in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital of Cambodia, is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical sites. Here are three top cultural site alternatives that are very popular among tourists:

• 1. The Royal Palace:

The Royal Palace is a must-visit site in Phnom Penh. Built in 1866, it is the official residence of the King of Cambodia and a symbol of the nation. The palace complex showcases stunning Khmer architecture, with its golden roofs, intricate carvings, and beautiful gardens. Visitors can explore various buildings within the palace grounds, including the Silver Pagoda, which houses a collection of Buddha statues and a floor adorned with more than 5,000 silver tiles. The Royal Palace offers a glimpse into Cambodia’s royal history and is a fascinating cultural experience.

• 2. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum:

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21, is a haunting reminder of Cambodia’s dark past during the Khmer Rouge regime. The museum is located in a former high school that was transformed into Security Prison 21, where thousands of innocent people were imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Today, the museum stands as a memorial to the victims and aims to educate visitors about the atrocities committed. The museum displays photographs, personal belongings, and chilling accounts of survivors, providing a somber yet important cultural experience that helps in understanding Cambodia’s history.

• 3. National Museum of Cambodia:

The National Museum of Cambodia is a treasure trove of Khmer art and artifacts. Located near the Royal Palace, this museum houses the largest collection of Khmer cultural, historical, and archaeological objects in the country. Visitors can admire sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and other artifacts that date back to prehistoric times and span different periods of Cambodian history. The museum’s collection provides valuable insights into the Khmer civilization, art styles, and religious practices. It is a must-visit for history and art enthusiasts.

These top cultural site alternatives offer a glimpse into Cambodia’s rich heritage, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the country’s history and culture. Whether you are interested in exploring royal palaces, confronting the dark past, or immersing yourself in ancient artifacts, Phnom Penh has something to offer for every culture enthusiast.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Cultural Site spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.