The country of Cambodia itself is ancient. However, as a travel destination it is quite new.
After years of isolation, Cambodia opened to tourists in the mid-1990s. Tourism in this exotic and colorful country has thrived ever since and increases each year. In 2008 nearly 2 million tourists visited Cambodia.
A horrible precedent was set by Pol Pot, the leader of the Cambodian Communist movement, and the Khmer Rouge Regime of the 1970s as they committed some of the most awful and violent atrocities of the 20th century.
Now, these horrors have lifted, and the era of violence is present only in memorials and museums. In fact, tourists find that Cambodia is a very peaceful place. The Khmer people, who make up more than 95% of modern Cambodia’s population, impress visitors as some of the friendliest and most gentle people ever met.
The warming Khmer smile is legendary, as is tradition of hospitality and openness, which in the Khmer language is called “sabai.” Thearavada Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia and is practiced by 95% of the population.
The capital city of Phnom Penh is filled with cultural and historical sites that reflect the country’s interesting history. Phnom Penh has been the capital of Cambodia only since 1866. The city was under French control from 1863-1953, independent in the 1960s, besieged and then evacuated under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, repopulated in the 1980s, then revived and modernized in the 1990’s.
That’s a lot to happen in a short period of time!
When visiting Phnom Penh you’ll still see old French colonial buildings that stand out in yellow against the Southeast Asian shop houses along with classic Khmer pagodas. The country’s constantly evolving history is certainly displayed in its varied and diverse architectural landscape.
A favorite tourist spot within the capital is the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was built over 100 years ago to serve as a home to the King of Cambodia, his family, and his foreign dignitaries.
Today, it is home to King Norodom Sihamoni and former King Norodom Sihanouk. The Royal Palace is a favorite spot for visitors because of its ornately detailed architecture. Each building, of which there are several, is a work of art in itself.
The majority of the buildings are representative of traditional Khmer architecture with rooftops glimmering in gold and peaked structures that reach towards the heavens.
The one building that is not built in the Southeastern Asian style is the Napoleon III Pavilion. Its white façade and domed roof makes it stand out like a dollhouse among the towering Khmer structures around it.
The entire palace sits within high walls, which help to silence the sounds of the city around you, and has finely manicured lawns and gardens. While some of the buildings are not open to the public, others may be visited to view snapshots of Cambodia’s interesting history. For example, the Hor Samrith Phimean, also know as the Bronze Palace, currently houses a display of royal regalia and costumes on the ground floor.
The Royal Palace is a perfect snapshot of Cambodia’s diverse and exotic history.
