Your online guide around Phnom Penh City. We provide you information on tourist sites and activities you can do around the city. You can find from historical and cultural sites to best shopping places and restaurants. We hope to be your friend during your stay in Phnom Penh.
The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, and the date changes each year between late January to early February. This year the Chinese New Year is starts on 31 January and ends on 2 February. This year is represented by a Horse.
The Chinese New Year is held each year in Phnom Penh, although it is not the public holiday. Many residents in Phnom Penh have ancestor(s) immigrated from China, and the tradition is passed on from one generation to another.
One day before the Chinese New Year starts (30 January), many homes in Phnom Penh pray for their ancestors with preparation of food, beverages, flowers and the burning of fakes money and clothes with the belief that their ancestors will receive and use the burned money and clothes in their after life. Some people also visit Chinese temples in the city for praying.
People praying in a Chinese temple
Many homes pray their ancestors with food, beverages, fruits and desserts
Each homes in the city is decorated with red papers with Chinese characters (happy new year, good luck, etc) on their door or gates because they believe that such decoration would bring lucks, happiness, healthiness, and wealth to the family. Similarly to Christmas decorated with a christmas tree, many homes decorate a big yellow-flower tree, with decorations on the tree.
During days of the Chinese New Year, they're the special time for family visit and exchange of red pockets for good lucks. The display of Chinese dragon dances is not also uncommon to welcome the new year.
May the year of the Horse brings you lucks, happiness and wealth! Gong Xi Fat Cai!
A previously unknown species of bird has been found hiding in plain sight after scientists photographed what was thought to be more abundant species at a construction site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capitol and largest city. Subsequent analysis revealed the species to be distinct.
Known as the Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk), the new bird is one of only two species endemic to Cambodia, according to theWildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the group whose researcher Ashish John snapped the first pictures of the bird.
"The modern discovery of an undescribed bird species within the limits of a large populous city — not to mention 30 minutes from my home — is extraordinary," said Simon Mahood, a WCS scientist who described the species — together with researchers from WCS, BirdLife International, the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, and the Sam Veasna Centre — in a special online early-view issue of the Oriental Bird Club's journal Forktail. "The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations."
Despite living on the edge of an urban area, the Cambodian tailorbird escaped detection due to its dense scrub habitat.
The authors say the species is under threat due to declining habitat from agricultural and urban expansion. They recommend classifying it as "Near Threatened" under the IUCN's Red List.
"Most newly discovered bird species in recent years have proved to be threatened with extinction or of conservation concern, highlighting the crisis facing the planet's biodiversity," said co-author Jonathan C. Eames of BirdLife International in a statement.
The video highlights the most crowded and visited areas in Phnom Penh. The video also features the daily life of local people and how the city looks like. This is how the city lives from sunrise to late night. Below I also name all the places the video features and a small description of each place. I hope you enjoy watching this short video and visit the city one day. Welcome to Phnom Penh!!!
00.00 - 00.34 : Phnom Penh Riverside
It's the best place for sightseeing along the river and seeing the sunset in the evening. It's one of the most attracted places in the city. Along the river, there are restaurants, bars, hotels and gift shops. You can have a very nice evening there.
00.34 - 00.53 : Canadia Bank
The first and the biggest commercial bank in Cambodia.
00.53 - 01.00 : Busy traffic during day time
The city is very congested during late afternoon and therefore it's not easy to travel around. Heavy traffic starts from 5pm to around 7pm.
01.00 - 01.11 : Tuk Tuk
Tuk Tuk is a locally made vehicle served as a taxi. There are many of them in every corner of the city. It's less expensive taking a Tuk Tuk and a taxi and it's easier to travel around.
01.11 - 01.40 : Wat Bottom Park
One of the biggest public parks in the city. Wat Bottom Park is full of activities in late afternoon for all types of people. It's a good place for doing aerobics, and there are different group dancing with music in the evening.
01.40 - 01.58 : The construction of Vattanak Tower
The tower is now almost completed and according the height, it's the tallest building in the city.
01.58 - 02.16 : Neak Banh Teuk Park
The traffic along this park is very congested from late afternoon. It's also one of the biggest public park in the city and it's not far from Wat Bottom Park.
02.16 - 02.26 : Dream Land
It's the most popular amusement park in the city. With different types of rides, Dream Land is a nice place for teenagers hanging out.
02.26 - 02.35 : Motobike
There are many motobikes in Phnom Penh and almost every house own at least one. Because there is no public transportation in the city, people prefer to have their own vehicle to travel around the city.
02.35 - 02.53 : Riverside at night
The riverside is full of traffic at night but it's a very beautiful place to do some walking and seeing different activities.
02.53 - 03.10 : The Independence Monument
It's the most attracted tourist place in the city. The Independence Monument represents the end of the French colony in 1953. Decorate with lights, the monument is so beautiful at night.
03.10 - 03.28 : Traffic along the riverside at night
Local people like to travel along the riverside with their own vehicle at night. It's just beautiful.
03.28 - 03.37 : The Monivong Blvd
It's the commercial and the busiest Blvd.
03.37 - 03.55 : Traffic around the National Assembly
The area around the National Assembly is very bright at night. Nearby, there are many parks, historical sites, government offices, the Royal Palace and tourist places.
03.55 - 04.04 : Local people selling petrol
Although there are many gas stations, you still can find small petrol shop in some places.
04.04 - 04.15 : The Naga World
It's the biggest casino in the city. There's a beautiful water display with music in front of the casino.
04.15 - 04.23 : Traffic from a balcony
04.23 - 04.44 : Tuk Tuk traveling around the city
04.44 - end : This is Phnom Penh :-)
Disclaimer: I do not own this video. It is taken from YouTube.
Phnom Penh is not big but if you don't know where to visit, you may not truely know about this than 5-century-year-old city. It's an old city but unfortunately most of the construction began in the 20th century, so you will not see many old buildings.
So what makes Phnom Penh so special? We recommend you 7 places to visit
The video below highlights most visited places in the city and the life of local people.
1. Wat Phnom - the Birth of Phnom Penh
Statute of Daun Penh
Wat Phnom is a man-made hill built in 1373 and served for buddhism. It is the tallest religious building in the city. It's the place that gave birth to the Capital City of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. It is believed that a lady of village called Daun Penh found accidentally four bronze statutes of buddha in a tree floating along the Tonle Sap river, a few kilometers from the hill. She then called for all the villagers to construct a hill and a temple to house the four statutes for serving religious purposes. The name of "Phnom Penh" is followed after the name of the lady "Penh".
Wat Phnom was reconstructed again in 1926 with some new designs and buildings. You can find many paintings and sculptures telling stories of the Buddha and Ramayana, a very famous tale in Cambodia. Wat Phnom is also a park for local people for relaxing and is used for major celebrations such as counting down and dancing during the new year.
2. The Independence Monument
Beautiful, Unique and Meaningful. Built in 1958 by a famous Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann, the independence monument represents the end of the 90-year colony of the France over Cambodia. Each year on November 9, Cambodia celebrates the independence day at this monument. A ceremonial flame is lit by the King or his representative on the interior pedestal with a praise from monks.
Don't forget to count the statute of snakes on the monument roof. Believe me or not, there are 90 snakes in total representing 90 years under the French colony. Some say there are 100, so let's see which is correct :)
3. The Royal Palace
A combination of Hindu and Buddhism with designs back to the 12th century. It's probably 30 minutes on foot from the independent monument. Residence to the Royal family, the complex also serves religious purposes. The construction began in the 1860s.
There are many temples within the complex serving different purposes in the Royal Palace. Probably the most famous temple is Silver Pagoda that is used to serve buddhist ceremonies and the floor is made solely from silver. Another temple that caught my attention is a European-style establishment that was shipped from Egypt to Cambodia as a gift from the French Napoleon. In addition, in each temple, there are sculptures, statutes, paintings and other fine arts, some of them are made from gold, silver, gems with Cambodian greatest designs.
Remember to dress appropriately or you will not be allowed to enter the complex. Do not wear flip flops, shorts, short skirts or anything that reveals a lot of body parts.
4. Central Market
Central Market from above
Approximately 30 minutes walk from the Royal Palace, the Central Market is the first colonial style concrete market built in 1937. It opens from 7am and 5pm and it is a must-visit place for tourists, especially those who like shopping local products. The market sells everything from food, daily utilities to clothes and souvenirs. It's the oldest market in the city that remains until today. The Central Market is known as "Phsar Thmey" in Cambodian.
5. Russian Market
Russian Market or Toul Tompoung Market is another famous market for tourists, around 25 minutes on Tuk-Tuk or Motor-Taxi. It offers a variety of local-made souvenirs such as silk clothes, scarves, handicrafts, sculptures, paintings, silver and gold jewels etc. The price is very reasonable. Just get a big baggage and do your shopping.
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