Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Really amazing place, many building to see including the Throne Hall where coronations used to take place, but the best is the Silver Pagoda whose floor is covered with solid silver tiles weighing a kilogram each. The Pagodas contents were ransacked by the Khymer Rouge but the Silver floor was kept intact to show the world that they were interested in preserving the country's culture. Inside there is an emerald buddha and a golden buddha decorated with over 9000 diamonds, also buddhas from Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Many other items on display that are interesting.

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The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. Its full name in the Khmer language is Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1860's, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge.

Many of the buildings of the Royal Palace, particularly of this period, were constructed using traditional Khmer architectural and artistic style but also incorporating significant European features and design as well. One of the most unique surviving jstructures from this period is the Napoleon Pavilion which was a gift from France in 1876.

The Royal Palace has had some major modifications to its buildings over time; nearly all of the King Norodom era buildings have been demolished completely. The King's living area (closed to public) has also undergone big changes. In 1960s the Silver Pagoda has undergone a tremendous face-lift with its tiles replaced and buildings given new paint.

The palace has always been a popular tourist attraction in Phnom Penh. Visitors are able to wander around the Silver Pagoda compound and the central compound containing the Throne Hall and Chan Chhaya Pavilion. 

$3.00/person, $2.00/camera, $5.00/video cam.

Open everyday (except holiday): 7:30-11:00 / 2:30-5:00

NOTE: don't wearing tank top, short or pants to entering the Royal Palace

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According our tour guide, the Combodian raising the Cambodian flag on the pole means the King is in the palace. The living area for the King is at the smaller palace located next to the main palace. Every palace building has its own purpose for different kind of activities or ceremony.

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PHNOM PENH
This really attractive Palace was a must to visit while staying here in Phnom Penh. Located close by the river on Samdech Sothearos Boulevarde immediately noticeable is the traditional Kmer styled roof with its ornate golded guilding. Outside in thier small guardhouses stand at attention are the Palce guards that are on duty...to be enjoyed within its high walls are beautiful manicured gardens and plants.
The Palace is the official residence of the present King Sihamoni so some parts of the Palace are inaccessabale to the visiting public..but there is much to see here , There is a wonderful model of Angkor Wat that shows the vast size of the amazing Temple, so revered here it is on the national flag.Located here also is the " Silver Pagoda" which has five tons of silver covering its floors. Wherever I go within Asia I am always amazed at the numerously different elegantly built old Temples, Statues, Chedis, and incredible religous architecture.

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What I really love the most in Phnom Penh is The Royal Palace. It is situated on the bank of the Mekong river. It was built over a century ago and begun by King Norodom I. We can see the Khmer architecture inside which are so admirable. In the Royal Palace Compound is the Silver Pagoda where the Emerald Buddha is situated. We can enjoy the impressive cultural heritage of Asia.
The Royal Palace is opened to public daily but it closes from 11:00 to 2:00. Make sure you will leave the place before the closing hour or the guards will force you to leave. The entrance fee is $ 6.25 for foreigners and extra $ 2 for camera fees. But, be careful that there are some buildings which are prohibited to take photographs.

It is really awesome, I recommend.

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It is a striking structure near the riverfront, bearing a remarkable likeness to its counterpart in Bangkok. It stands on the site of the former citadel, Banteay Kev and looks out on to Samdech Sothearos Blvd between street 184 and street 240. Visitors are only allowed to visit the palace's Silver Pagoda and its surrounding compound.

It is an extra USD2 to take in a camera and USD5 for a video camera. However, photography is not permitted inside the pagoda itself.

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The Royal Palace was built in 1866 on the banks of the Mekong River., though there are many buildings that were added over the following decades.

Inside the walls you will find the Throne Hall, the Chan Chaya Pavilion, the Napoleon III Pavilion, offered to King Norodom by Queen Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and the King's and Queen's residential quarters.

However now you can only go into the Silver Pagoda. This is also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha and is in the grounds of the Royal Palace. The floor of the Pagoda is constructed of 5000 silver tiles.

In the center of the pagoda there is a magnificent 17th-century emerald Buddha statue made of baccarat crystal. The walls enclosing the pagoda are covered with frescoes depicting episodes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana. This pagoda is the most visited due to its display of priceless historical objects.

Definitely worth a visit.

Entry Fee: $$3 per person, $2 per camera, $5 per video camera

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Built in 1866 the Royal Palace was high on my list of "must sees" in Cambodia and it didn't disappoint. There was a bit of a line going in and anyone with shorts or sleeveless shirts were not admitted. Scarves over sleeveless shirts were also refused entrance.

The Palace and temple was everything we expected .The buildings with their glistening coloured tiled roofs were stunning! The Palace actually consists of many building that were built over time .Many of the buildings of the Royal Palace, were constructed using traditional Khmer architectural . It still serves today as the Residence of the King .The King's living area, which actually takes up half of the total palace ground area is closed to the public.

I particularly like the long house ,fronted by narrow covered corridors. The walls of the corridors were painted by typical landscape scenes

We spent over an hour here for our visit and we could have spent longer ,but by now the hot humid afternoon weather was beginning to take its toll.

Note: The Royal Palace opens daily but closes from 11:00-14:00. Entrance fee is US$6.25. No photography is allowed inside the Silver Pagoda and some of the Palace buildings.

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The royal palace is set on a road adjacent to the Mekong river, if you arrive early before the gates open you can get some refreshment from the street vendors opposite the gate. I seem to recall the palace does not open until around 10am, which meant we had a bit of time to have a walk down the river.

Once inside the palace there are a number of buildings and temples you can go into.There are also some beautiful khymer statues in the grounds to admire. It takes a good two hours to look round properly so make sure you take some liquid refreshment in with you. On entry you are given a map or you can hire one of the guides to give you some more indepth information.

Note : Photography is prohibited in some buildings most notably the silver pagoda and there are keepers on hand to keep an eye on those trying to flaunt the rules.

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On the way out of the Royal Complex are two buildings containing artefacts used in the royal procession of King Norodom Sihamoni during his coronation in October 2004. On display are various procession group figures bearing the national, religious and monarchy flags, a drum of victory, spears of victory, swords of victory, crown jewels and other ceremonial objects.