Phnom Penh City Tour – Culture & History
After Breakfast at hotel, Visit Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is a magnificent complex that serves as the official residence of Cambodia’s king. Built in the 19th century, it combines classic Khmer architecture with French influences, featuring golden roofs and elegant pavilions. The Throne Hall is still used for coronations and ceremonies. Visitors can admire the richly decorated buildings and manicured gardens that symbolize the monarchy’s continuity. The palace remains a living heart of Cambodian heritage and pride.
Silver Pagoda. Located inside the Royal Palace grounds, the Silver Pagoda is famed for its floor, covered with over 5,000 solid silver tiles. It houses Cambodia’s most sacred treasures, including the Emerald Buddha carved from Baccarat crystal and a life-sized gold Buddha adorned with diamonds. The walls are lined with precious gifts from foreign dignitaries. This sanctuary reflects both spiritual devotion and national wealth. It is one of Phnom Penh’s most revered landmarks. Explore Wat Phnom & Independence Monument
Wat Phnom is the tallest religious structure in Phnom Penh, rising 27 meters above the city. According to legend, a wealthy widow named Daun Penh built the first shrine here to house four Buddha statues she found in the river. Over centuries, it has been rebuilt and expanded into a beautiful pagoda surrounded by gardens. Locals come to pray for good fortune and success. The hilltop temple offers peaceful views over the bustling capital.
Independence Monument. The Independence Monument stands proudly at the heart of Phnom Penh, built in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia’s freedom from French colonial rule. Shaped like a lotus stupa, it reflects traditional Khmer architectural styles. The monument is also a memorial to the country’s war dead and a symbol of national unity. At night, it is dramatically illuminated with spotlights and surrounded by fluttering flags. It remains a place of commemoration and celebration for the Cambodian people.
Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison)
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison)
Once a high school, Tuol Sleng was transformed by the Khmer Rouge into a notorious prison known as S-21. Between 1975 and 1979, thousands were imprisoned, interrogated, and executed here. Today, it serves as a powerful museum memorializing the victims of the regime. The classrooms now display haunting photographs, prisoner records, and stark cells. Visiting Tuol Sleng is a sobering experience that preserves the memory of Cambodia’s darkest chapter.·
Shopping time at Russian Market / Central Market. Dinner at Indian restaurant
Overnight Stay in Phnom Penh.
- Breakfast
- Sightseeing
- Dinner
- Hotel Stay