See and Learn Beyond

May 23, 2017

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Before planning to go to Cambodia, the history of the country ought to be informed at your heart, especially Cambodia. Normally the image of Cambodia is described as the ancient city, beautiful nature, etc. However, this country was been through the biggest sorrow. Genocide was taken place in the 20th Century, and the world does not know fully about this truth. Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot formed a Communist peasant farming society, resulted in the deaths of 25 percent of the country's population from starvation, overwork, and executions (2,000,000 deaths). Before visiting other beautiful attractions, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum first.

Koh Pagoda (Wat Koh) is one of the city's five original wats, establisehd in the early 15th century. The main building was destroeyd in the 1970s and rebuilt in the 1990s. Koh Pagoda has become a refuge for stray and abandoned house pets. Through the place, located in Monivong and Street 174, can adopt a cat.

The Central Market is a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. French architect Louis Chauchon initially designed the layout of the building, but the construction was supervised by French architects Jean Desbois and Wladimir Kandaouroff. The entrance to the market is lined with souvenir merchants from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and kramas. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also displayed.

Contemporary creative Cambodian cuisine can be spotted on Street 174 (Oknha Ket) with house number #74 in Phsar Thmei 3 Commune, Daun Penh District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The name is called Romdeng. It is run by former street youth in training and serves a great variety of Cambodian food.

Later at night, go to Bouchon Wine Bar. The extensive wine offerings across a good price range, are all French. There's a decent food menu too. Phnom Penh has some of the cheapest wines in South East Asia and Bouchon has an excellent selection. Saturday night is disco night and there is occasional live music during the week.