Iconic Destinations To Visit In Phnom Penh

Do you know why kosher cruise companies choose the Mekong River for their Southeast Asian cruises? It’s because this river passes through places of cultural and historical significance that Jews can relate to.

If you are planning to book a cabin on a Vietnam-Cambodia Jewish travel cruise, here are four iconic destinations that you should visit during your tour through Cambodia’s gorgeous capital, Phnom Penh.

Royal Palace of Cambodia

Known for its iconic Khmer roofs and intricate decorations, the Royal Palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Phnom Penh. Although half of the compound is part of the king’s residence, you can freely visit the Silver Pagoda and the Throne Hall.

National Museum of Cambodia

Expand your knowledge about the vast cultural heritage of Cambodia through a trip to its world-famous National Museum. Discover four wings of Khmer art collections, as well as Buddhist and Hindu statutory pieces. The museum also boasts glorious, rich gardens that welcome you when you enter its premises.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

Awareness about history is important, no matter how violent it is. That’s why an educational journey to the best-known of all the Khmer Rouge killing fields should not be missed. The genocidal center shows memorial relics of Cambodia’s dark era during the 1970s. Just like the Jews during the Second World War, Cambodians experienced a sad and devastating period in their cultural history.

Phsar Thmei (Central Market)

Photo Credit: tourismcambodia.com

Phnom Penh had been a bustling part of French Indochina (French-controlled territory during the French colonial period, which included parts of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia). You can definitely see the French influence in the metropolis’ architecture through the busy Phsar Thmei. When visiting this Art Deco market, don’t forget to buy some souvenirs in the form of batik, brocade textiles, gold, and gemstones.

Aside from these cultural and historical sites, you can also take a trip to Sisowath Quay (a famous Cambodian riverside strip),  Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (another historical museum for the victims of Khmer Rouge genocide), Wat Phnom (a serene hillside Buddhist temple), and Independence Monument (a landmark that celebrates Cambodian freedom from French colonial rule).