National Museum, Phnom Penh

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Originally we planned to skip the museum as our time in P.P was short. It proved to be a worthwhile visit however.
Built in 1920 it is arranged all on one floor , and has one of the largest collections of Khmer Art in the world. I especially liked the wrestling gorillas .
It's amazing it survived the devastation caused by the years of the Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970's. Although it was abandoned during this time and many of the staff were killed ,it was reopened in 1979. Today it is a source of pride for the Cambodian people.

No pictures are allowed inside but the grounds and building itself is spectacular and worth plenty of photos.

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The National Museum of Cambodia is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum. It houses one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The Museum’s collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire, which at its height stretched from Thailand, across present-day Cambodia, to southern Vietnam.

The Museum buildings, inspired by Khmer temple architecture, were constructed between 1917 and 1924; the museum was officially inaugurated in 1920. In the centre of the courtyard sits the original Leper King statue (actually Yama, the Hindu god of death) from the Terrace of the Leper King at Angkor Thom (a copy sits in its original place).

Open: 8am-5pm every day. Admission: $3.

Memory may decieve me here, it often does, but my general impression of the National Museum is that it has been much improved in the nine years since I last visited.

In a country blessed with so much wonderful history, as well as some truly awful, it stands to reason that the National Museum should be good, and this place really does deserve the soubriquet "treasure trove". There are displays ranging from the prehistoric to the 20th century, although nothing of the very modern history of the country so ably explained in the Genocide Museum (see eperate tip).

Naturally, the majority of the exhibits are form the Angkorian period when Khmer power was at it's height. What I find particularly fascinating is the move from Hinduism to Buddhism, particularly the changeover period which provides such a rich amalgam of imagery. There are truly some breathtaking images here. Whilst there is no prescribed path round the building, I would suggest the visitor goes clockwise from the front door, this appears to make more sense chronologically with a few exceptions.

The buildng itself is quite magnificent, set around a delightful quadrangle (pictured) and built in the 1920,s. Towards the end of the exhibits is a nice photgraphic display of the history of the museum itself and just in from the fornt door on the left wall is a plaque commemorating the opening, obviously still under the auspices of the French colonists.

Photography is only allowed in the central garden but the opportunities for any artist are legion - bring your sketchbook. My particular favourite exhibit was in the third or fourth case from the entrance on the left, a simply gorgeous statue of a hand which I have been trying, without notable success, to sketch from memory ever since.

Towards the end of the tour, and chronologically out of sequence is an exhibit I know for a fact not to have been there last time I visited. It is a display showing the excavation of a prehistoric site in the Angkor complex indicating that there was settlement here long before the might of the Angkorian empire. The French / Khmer excavation with Thai scientific help was only possible a few years ago due to abnormal drought conditions which dried up a generally wet area. I love the idea of the continuum of human existence on the Angkor site, so often repeated all over the world. The science is fascinating, and the bones recovered from the site offer up a huge amount of scientific evidence, as far as to suggest the presence of malaria in the area then and the fact that basic dentistry was practiced. It is remarkable, and the reconstruction of one of the grave sites which you walk over by means of a bridge, is very well done.

The museum really is a must see, and now to the practicalities. It is open every day and admission is $3US for foreigners. Should you wish to employ a guide, English and French speaking are available but there really is no need.

Highly recomended.

the National Monument in Phnom Penh performs much the same function as the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris or it's smaller copy in the capital of neighbouring Lao or Big Ben in London, it defines the capital to a great extent whilst being effectively useless. Well, I suppose at least Big Ben tells you the time. Perhaps I am being a little harsh insofar as if it engenders national pride and a sense of identity or whatever, it performs some role.

To the facts. The National Monument was built in 1958, obviously in a Khmer style and represents a lotus flower shaped stupa reminiscent of the Angkor complex which is the country's greatest treasure and was designed by a Khmer artist, Vann Molyvann. It was constructed after independence from France.

Due to the many tragic events in the country's history, the monument now also serves as a sort of Cenotaph and is frequently used for ceremonies, particularly on Independence Day.

When I visited, it was surrounded by railings warning me to keep out so I had to content myself with a couple of photos from the corner of the roundabout that encircles it. You will be hard pushed to spend any time in the city and not pass it at some point.

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The national museum has around 5000 artifacts from around Cambodia, both from the Ankor period and the times before and after that.
The place is quite impressive and a must if you are interested in Ankor Wat as there are many things that were escavated at the Ankor site.
There is also a little store at the museum which has a good selection of books from Cambodia aswell as other things.
Be aware that you are not allowed to take photos inside the museum.

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Located north of the Royal Palace, the museum is housed in a Khmer-style terracotta building, designed in 1920, by a French architect. Admission to the museum costs $3USD. The museum's four courtyards house one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire.

Photography is not allowed inside the museum, but for a $1USD fee, cameras can be used both in the courtyard garden as well as the gardens surrounding the museum.

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The museum is an eye-catching structure, and is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum. The Museum buildings are inspired by Khmer temple architecture, were constructed between 1917 and 1924, and are a Rust Red colour, very attractive looking.

Inside is one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including sculpture, ceramics, and lots more. The Museum’s collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire.
There is also a collection of important Buddhist and Hindu sculpture.

Pieces date back to the 6th century. I found this museum to be very good and interesting, and should be on your places to visit list.

PHOTOGRAPHY IS ONLY ALLOWED IN THE COURT AREA.

OPEN 8 - 5PM DAILY Closed for lunch

ADMISSION IN 2008 was .....$3.00 per person.

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I really just had one day to see downtown Phnom Penh before heading out to the PIO schools; however, the Fancy Guesthouse was in a great location for a walking tour. The ticket office entrance to the National Museum of Cambodia (northeast corner) was just three blocks away. I did not go inside but I must say the exterior is quite impressive. There is a large park in front of the museum (toward the river). There were a few boys playing soccer there in an area that was actually sand. One of the videoclips was taken here. You may see where the "fixer-upper" is located in it. The museum is open from 08:00 - 17:00 seven days a week and the entrance fee is $3.00 for foreign visitors (500 riel or ~$0.12 for Cambodians). One hour group tours cost $3.00. Please note that the new national museum in Siem Reap is called the Angkor National Museum.