Phnom Penh located in the heart of Cambodia is known for its marvelous architecture, rich cultural history and mouth-watering culinary experiences. Considered a mecca for backpackers and those traveling on a budget, the city has a number of eye-opening museums and places of history. Located on the banks of the Mekong River you'll find the beauty of a developing modern city with a rustic charm. Here are ten places you need to check out while you're visiting the capital of Phnom Penh.
1. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
The museum brings forward the murky and tragic past of Cambodia showcasing the brutal suffering of the people under rule of the Khmer Rouge. The security prison has seen some of the most traumatic atrocities and nearly 17,000 people were tortured after being accused of betraying the revolution. Not for the faint-hearted, the museum might be a little distressing for some, painting a vivid picture of just how difficult life was during that time.
Name：Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Address：Street 113, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://tuolsleng.gov.kh/en/
2. National Museum of Cambodia
For those that want to learn more about the mighty Khmer Empire, the National Museum of Cambodia offers a brilliant insight into the Angkorian Era and its exquisite history. With one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art and countless historical artifacts, there's plenty to see around the museum. It's all housed in some beautiful traditional Khmer architecture that was turned into a museum in 1920.
Name：National Museum of Cambodia
Address：Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.cambodiamuseum.info/en_information_visitors.html
3. Royal Palace
No visit to Phnom Penh is complete without checking out the beautiful Royal Palace with its exquisite Cambodian architecture. The temple complex is one of the most impressive in Southeast Asia rivaling that of the popular palace you'll find in its neighbor Thailand. The beautiful structure has been the residence of the royal family of Cambodia since the 1860s.
Name：Royal Palace
Address：Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：https://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/pproyalpalace.htm
4. Choeung Ek
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are one of the most harrowing sites of several execution areas used by the Khmer Rouge, where a total of a million people are said to have been killed, many in brutal ways that shook the history of the country. The site at Choeung Ek contains a total of 29 mass graves with a memorial at the center filled with almost 8000 skulls of bodies found in the area.
Name：Choeung Ek
Address：Sangkat Cheung Aek, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.killingfieldsmuseum.com
5. Ta Prohm Temple at Tonle Bati
If you're not gonna have time to head north and check out the famous temples of Angkor, Ta Prohm is still a great insight into the ancient kingdom at a short drive away from the capital. This crumbling temple was built around the same time and features a similar yet slightly different architecture to its more famous cousins. Its picturesque location next to the serene and calm Tonle Bati Lake makes for a great afternoon away from the city.
Name：Ta Prohm Temple at Tonle Bati
Address：30 kms South of Phnom Penh, Takeo Province, Cambodia
6. Wat Phnom
Sitting on the top of a hill, Wat Phnom was constructed in the 14th century although it's since been reconstructed. The main temple was built in 1926 and is one of the most prominent Buddhist temples in the area. In the hustle bustle of the city, it's a tranquil place to escape to and soak in part of the local culture.
Name：Wat Phnom
Address：Street 96, Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
7. Wat Ounalom
This gorgeous temple is the headquarters for Buddhism in the country. The complex is marked by presence of a Stupa and is known for containing hair of the Buddha. It has been damaged a lot during the Khmer Rouge era but has since been renovated and stands as attractive as ever. It extends learning about Buddhism, involved in spiritual teaching and enriches your brain with Cambodian Buddhism culture. It was built in 1443 to enshrine eyebrow hair of the Lord Buddha.
Name：Wat Ounalom
Address：Ly Yoak Lay St. (172), Phnom Penh , Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/phnom-penh/what-to-see/19_ounalom-pagoda.htm
8. Psar Thmei
In this distinctive and gorgeous dome-shaped building you'll find the central Psar Thmei Market that was established and built in 1937. It highlights a gorgeous Art Deco style and is one of the best places to understand the local life of the place. The huge market place sells versatile products and is always chaotic with number of people around for shopping. The market place is perfect for getting an insight into local products and handicrafts, selling everything from groceries, jewelry, clothing and more.
Name：Psar Thmei
Address：Prey Nokor St. (126), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/phnom-penh/what-to-see/25_central-market-phsar-thmei.htm
9. Independence Monument
The Independence Monument is built on a patch of grass which intersects the Sihanouk and Norodom Boulevards and marks the independence of Cambodia from years of French Colonial rule. It reflects the beautiful Khmer architecture style made of sandstone and is intricately designed with multi-headed snakes. It is also the memorial for those who died during the war. There is also a Cambodian Vietnam Friendship Monument built in 1979 after Vietnamese forces defeated the Khmer Rouge.
Name：Independence Monument
Address：Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/phnom-penh/what-to-see/21_independence-monument.htm
10. Koh Dach
This one of a kind experience should not be missed, especially due to the close vicinity to the city center. The Silk Island is a peaceful place to learn about weaving Cambodian silk and you'll find many weaving hand-loom villages that you can visit. There are many workers who use hand-looms to spin silk offering various kinds of dyes and material used to create amazing designs. It can be reached in one hour by a ferry ride.
Name：Koh Dach
Address：Koh Dach, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Related Site：http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/kandal/what-to-see/253_koh-dach.htm
Conclusion
Despite the vividly brutal history Phnom Penh and the whole of Cambodia has witnessed, the city has survived to become one of South-east Asia's major developing cities.