Throne Hall
Golden roofs.
Hanay — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0
The official residence of the King of Cambodia, a complex of palaces and halls built by King Norodom between 1866 and 1870 and largely rebuilt between 1912 and 1932, on the west bank where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap. The king still lives in a part closed to visitors. In neat gardens shine the gold and yellow tiered roofs of the halls, their raised tips like flames, above all the Throne Hall where coronations and ceremonies take place, framed by frangipani trees, flowerbeds and fountains. On the south side is the Silver Pagoda, named for a floor laid with more than five thousand silver tiles and holding royal treasures of gold and crystal. Its surrounding walls are painted with the Khmer version of the Ramayana epic in bright colours. The ticket is USD 10, and the palace opens from 8 to 11 am and from 2 to 5 pm, closing for royal events. Photography is not allowed inside the Silver Pagoda. Temples and palaces are places of worship and state: cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked.
Golden roofs.
A silver floor.
Bright colours.
Samdach Sothearos Boulevard, facing the river confluence
National Museum of CambodiaCambodia's largest museum of cultural history and its leading archaeological col3 minutes walk4.3
Sisowath QuayThe capital's riverfront, a broad promenade along the Tonle Sap from in front of9 minutes walk4.5
Independence Monument, Phnom PenhA monument built in 1958 to mark Cambodia's independence from France in 1953, st11 minutes walk4.6
Central Market, Phnom PenhA market and art deco landmark: a bright yellow building completed in 1937, crow16 minutes walk4.3
Wat PhnomThe temple that gave the capital its name, on a small wooded hill about 46 metre20 minutes walk4.58 to 11 am and 2 to 5 pm, closing for royal events; the ticket is USD 10.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; cover-ups can be bought or borrowed at the entrance.