Yellow dome
Art deco.
User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jakub Hałun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A market and art deco landmark: a bright yellow building completed in 1937, crowned by a 26-metre central dome with four long arched wings branching out. It was designed by the French city architect Jean Desbois, was said at its opening to be the biggest market in Asia, and still works as one; Cambodians call it Phsar Thmei, the new market. Under the vast dome, light falls from high windows onto stalls of jewellery, gold and watches, while the wings hold fabrics, Cambodian silk, clothes, bags, souvenirs and household goods. Around the outer edges are stalls of tropical fruit, flowers and dried fish, and a food corner serving rice soups, noodles and fresh juices. Bargaining is expected at most stalls except for gold, and the market runs from early morning until about dusk. Watch your bag in the crowds. The heat is fierce most of the year, so go out in the morning or before sunset, with water and a hat.
Art deco.
In the wings.
At the edges.
Central Phnom Penh, between Streets 63 and 136
Wat PhnomThe temple that gave the capital its name, on a small wooded hill about 46 metre10 minutes walk4.5
National Museum of CambodiaCambodia's largest museum of cultural history and its leading archaeological col13 minutes walk4.3
Sisowath QuayThe capital's riverfront, a broad promenade along the Tonle Sap from in front of13 minutes walk4.5
Royal Palace, Phnom PenhThe official residence of the King of Cambodia, a complex of palaces and halls b16 minutes walk4.2
Independence Monument, Phnom PenhA monument built in 1958 to mark Cambodia's independence from France in 1953, st21 minutes walk4.6Yes at most stalls, except for gold, which sells by weight at the day's price.