5 Phnom Penh Museums To Visit For A Sneak Peak Into Cambodian History

1 Dec 2021

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For a sneak peek into history, Phnom Penh is a place that only brings the image of exotic places to visit. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is an extraordinary place to visit. Earlier this place was called as the pearl of Asia. Being tarnished by the impact of the revolutions and wars, this city was rebuilt again and risen from the ashes. A worthwhile destination for all the people who love to have an edgy experience, this city will give you all. Phnom Penh museums, too, have various adventures on the way.

5 Amazing Phnom Penh Museums

Even though there are not so many, the ones there are, are the best museums in Phnom Penh. If you want to know what are these, then go ahead. Here are the top 5 museums.

1. National Museum Of Cambodia

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This museum is located close to the royal palace. This museum is a place where over 5000 artifacts are kept which is as ancient as the Angkorian period. There are many rooms in the National Museum in Phnom Penh that display various rare statues which include a giant bronze Vishnu of the 11th century and the leper king from Siem Reap.

The visitors can get knowledge about the statues and artifacts, and it will be of great help for visitors before they take a trip to Angkor Wat. All such information can be attained either from the museum or even from their official website.

Location: Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

Must Read: Trekking In Siem Reap: Treading The Unexplored Pathways Of Nature In Cambodia

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2. The Royal Palace And Silver Pagoda

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The royal palace is used as a court for ceremonies. There are only selected areas of the place that is open to the public. The palace is compound and is home to the Silver Pagoda.

Silver Pagoda is a famous and renowned temple which has a really prominent place on the riverside. It is named for the silver floor that it has. The travelers and visitors can visit the libraries, temples, and galleries that are present inside the grounds of the palace.

Location: Oknha Chhun St. (240), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 700/-

3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

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The Genocide Museum Phnom Penh is famous for the horrific role that it had during the regime of Khmer Rouge. This camp was called security prison 21 (s-21). Out of all the prisoners in the camp, only seven of them survived, and many others were killed and severely tortured, or sent to die at Choeung Ek.

Most of the site is still the same as it was discovered in the year 1979 when Phnom Penh was liberated by the Vietnamese army. The tiny brick cells, the blood-spattered walls, and the abandoned tools for torturing give a chilling insight into the regime that was brutal.

Location: St 113, Phnom Penh 12304, Cambodia
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 350 without audio tour | INR 570 with audio tour

4. Cambodian Cultural Village

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This is located in Siem Reap in Cambodia. This theme park was opened on 24 September 2003 to the public after it began its construction in the year 2001. A total area covered by the theme park is 210,000 square meters. This village has miniature versions of some of the most important structures and buildings of the history, with local customs together.

The varied cultural heritage of nineteen ethnic groups is represented by eleven unique villages. There are carvings in the stone, wood houses at each village like apsara dancing, traditional wedding ceremony in the northeast side of Cambodia, folk games, circus, acrobats, boxing, peacock dancing, elephant shows, and more.

Location: National Road #6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
Entry fee: INR 650

5. Cambodian Landmine Museum

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This museum and relief center is located in the south of the Banteay Srey in Cambodia at the Angkor National Park. The stories were heard about a man named Aki Ra who used to clear landmines with a stick and had defused ordnance full in his house.

He began charging for letting people see the collection. This is when the Cambodian landmine museum started. The new museum was opened in may 2007 and has been an attraction right since then. It consists of four gallery museum now and is a home to around 26 odd children. This museum exists just for 4 reasons:
To tell the story of Aki Ra
To tell the horrors of the landmines
To explain the aftermath
To take care of the children living at the museum

Location: 67, Cambodia
Timings: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry fee: INR 350 for adults | Free for children under 10

Further Read: Snorkeling In Cambodia: 10 Best Places To Thrill Your Soul

All these museums are a famous place where the visitors can go and know about the past that the places hold. But that’s not all. You can also explore other museums like the War Museum in Phnom Penh during your trip. Like any other country, Cambodia has its past too. The places give a fearful insight into the past and give chills to anyone listening to the story and looking at them. A visit to these museums is pocket-friendly and gives a good insight into the past of the museums that they hold. Thus, visiting them on your trip to Cambodia is a must.