French Embassy
At the French Embassy, you can experience the unique and beautiful blend of French and local architecture, allowing you to feel the colonial history of the past. The French Embassy is located at the northern end of Monivong Boulevard in Phnom Penh. This building played a significant role in the dramatic events of April 17, 1975, when the Phnom Penh regime collapsed. The architectural style within the embassy combines French and Cambodian local styles, presenting a unique charm and beauty.
National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum of Cambodia combines Khmer traditional architecture with French colonial style, featuring gabled roofs and carved doors. The museum currently houses approximately 15,000 items, with about 2,000 pieces displayed in each exhibition. The collection is very rich, spanning different historical periods, including the prehistoric era and the early, middle, and late periods of the Angkor dynasty. The main exhibits include four categories of artifacts: stoneware, bronzeware, ceramics, and woodware. Additionally, the museum also holds a small number of oil paintings, textiles, photographs, and other archival materials.
Independence Monument
The Independence Monument was built to celebrate Cambodia's complete independence from French colonial rule on November 9, 1953. It is located in the center of Phnom Penh, at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard, in the center of Independence Square.
This monument was designed by the famous Cambodian designer Vann Molyvann and was completed in March 1958. It stands 37 meters tall, with 7 layers, and is decorated with 100 statues of seven-headed naga, which are cultural symbols of Cambodia. The shape of the monument resembles a five-layered lotus bud, making it very beautiful and spectacular.
Every year on National Day, the King of Cambodia or his representative holds a grand celebration here, which has profound commemorative significance.
Central Market
This building has a unique design with a strong French flair. The cross-shaped dome design is magnificent, resembling a landed UFO. It is one of the busiest markets in Phnom Penh and is regarded as a landmark and a living art museum of the city. The market is divided into different sections, each with small stalls. Stalls frequently visited by tourists mainly sell handicrafts, jewelry, souvenirs, Buddha statues, second-hand or pirated books, postcards, and other items. Local residents buy clothing, small appliances, daily necessities, fruits, flowers, vegetables, and even computers, photography equipment, and office furniture. There is also a snack area, making it an ideal place to experience local life and taste local delicacies. Many stall owners can speak Mandarin, so communication is generally not a problem.
Tonle Sap River
The Tonle Sap River is located in central Cambodia and merges with the Mekong River, serving as a connecting channel between the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River. This river is also the fourth largest freshwater fish resource in the world. There are over 150 species of fish in the Tonle Sap River, and the freshwater resources are very abundant. This abundance of water resources is mainly attributed to the unique 'reversal flow' phenomenon of the Tonle Sap River.
From June to September each year, the melting snow from the Himalayas causes the water level of the Mekong River to rise sharply, causing the water to flow backward into the Tonle Sap River, changing the flow direction of the Tonle Sap River. From October to May of the following year, the river water flows back into the Mekong River. This reversal flow phenomenon maintains the richness of the freshwater resources in the Tonle Sap River.
