Resorts & Excursions
Since the ousting of the Pol Pot regime, many aspects of Khmer
cultural life have revived. The famed National Ballet has been
re-established by the surviving dancers and performs classical
dances for visiting groups. Buddhist temples, such as Preah
Vihear, close to the border with Thailand in the Dongrak mountains,
have re-opened and are the sites of various celebrations, especially
during Cambodian New Year.
The interrogation centre of the Pol Pot regime in Phnom Penh
is now the chilling Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide, also called
S-21 (security office 21). Other attractions in the capital
are the Royal Palace, with its famous Silver Pagoda (whose floor
consists of 5000 silver tiles), and the recently restored National
Museum (which includes bronze and stone sculptures from the
Angkor period). River cruises, some also now offering dolphin
watching, operate on the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers near the
capital. The famous and magnificent temples at Angkor, in the
country's northwest, are hard and dangerous to reach by road,
but may be reached by regular from Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
This ancient and astounding temple complex is what remains of
the capital of the once mighty Khmer civilisation. Angkor Wat
itself, built between AD 879-1191 to honour the Hindu god Vishnu,
is often hailed as one of the most extraordinary architectural
creations ever built, with its intricate bas reliefs, strange
acoustics and magnificent soaring towers. Oudong, 30km (19 miles)
from Phnom Penh, is located on a hill overlooking vast plains
and is famous for the burial chedis of the Khmer kings. Tonle
Bati, 42km (26 miles) from Phnom Penh, is located near a lake
close to the ancient temple of Ta Phrom.The Preah Vihear temple,
in the Preah Vihear province and on the border with Thailand,
is now open to members of the public.
The temple is a fine example of Khmer architecture from the
12th century. For more information contact the Ministry of Tourism
(see address section). Sihanoukville is a popular beach resort
town and may be reached by bus or air from Phnom Penh. |
Cambodia Airport Guide
