Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

2 more images

This open-sided pavilion, meaning "Moonlight Pavilion", serves as stage for Khmer classical dance. It is also used by the king to deliver speeches on National Day or on special events and viewing parades marching along Sothearos Boulevard. The current Pavilion is the second incarnation having been built in 1913-14 under King Sisowath to replace an earlier wooden pavilion built under King Norodom.

1 more image

This building, located on the right as you look at the Throne Hall, was built between 1915 and 1917 and is used to keep the royal musical instruments and utensils for the use in royal coronation processions. The first floor used to be the waiting room in which their majesties could take a rest before mounting an elephant that had awaited them.

2 more images

The Royal Palace complex has four gates. The eastern Victory Gate leads directly to the entrance of the throne hall and is used only by royalty and VIPs.

The northern or funeral gate is only opened after the death of a monarch. After being embalmed, the monarch's body is kept in state at the palace for three months, with the face hidden by a one-kilogram solid gold mask, before being taken out via this gate. The west or executing gate was used by condemned prisoners exiting the palace to be killed. The southern gate is reserved for use by commoners and it is through this gate the public reaches the Silver Pagoda.

4 more images

The Throne Hall is the first building you'll come to after entering into the Royal Palace complex. The Khmer name for the Throne Hall is Preah Thineang Dheva Vinnichayyeaah (meaning the "Sacred Seat of Judgement"). It is where the king's confidants, generals and royal officials once carried out their duties. It is still in use today as a place for religious and royal ceremonies (such as coronations and royal weddings) as well as a meeting place for guests of the King. The cross-shaped building is crowned with three spires. The central, 59 meter spire is topped with the white, four-faced head of Brahma. Inside the Throne Hall contains a royal throne and busts of Cambodians kings of the past. This Throne Hall is the second to be built on this site. The first was constructed of wood in 1869-1870 under King Norodom. That Throne Hall was demolished in 1915 and the present building was constructed in 1917 and inaugurated by King Sisowath in 1919. Unfortunately, taking photos of the splendid interior is not allowed.

4 more images

The Royal Palace is the top tourist destination in the city and is a complex of royal residences, pavilions, halls, a temple and stupas. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1866, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge, after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from OuVND to Phnom Penh.

The complex covers an area of 174,870 square metres (402m x 435m) and is divided by walls into three main compounds: on the north side is the Silver Pagoda and to the south-west is the Khemarin Palace and a central compound containing the Throne Hall. The Silver Pagoda compound is comprised of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (also known as The Silver Pagoda), stupas (chedi), towering spires (prang prasat) and mural paintings. The central compound is where you'll find the Throne Hall and royal pavilions. These two compounds are open to the public while the third compound, comprising of royal residences, is, unsurprisingly, off limits.

Open: 7.30am-11am & 2-5pm. Admission: $6.25

4 more images

You really shouldn't miss this, it is just beautiful.

The Royal palace was built in 1866, as the residence of the King of Cambodia, his family and foreign dignitaries. It is the home of the current King...... King Norodom Sihamoni.

The Royal Palace complex and attached 'Silver Pagoda' compound consist of several buildings, and beautifully landscaped gardens all located within walled grounds overlooking a riverfront park.

In 1863, a temporary wooden Palace was constructed a bit north of the current Palace site in Phnom Penh. Many of the buildings of the Royal Palace, were constructed using traditional Khmer architectural style but also incorporated European features and design as well. One from this period is the Napoleon Pavilion which was a gift from France in 1876.

King Sisowath (1904-1927) made several major contributions to the current Royal Palace.

From the time of the coup in 1970 when Cambodia became a republic, through the Khmer Rouge regime, and the communist regime of the 80s, until 1993 when the Monarchy was restored, the Royal Palace alternately served as a museum and was closed.
During the Khmer Rouge regime, former King Sihanouk and his family resided and were held as prisoners in the Palace.
In the mid-90s, many of the Palace buildings were restored and refurbished.

Except for the area of the actual Royal residence, the Khemarin Palace, most of the Palace grounds and Silver Pagoda are open to the public.

Enter from the gate on Sothearos Blvd about 100 meters north of Street 240.
Guide pamphlets and tour guides are available near the admission booth.
Multi-lingual tour guides available.

Leave yourself plenty of time to look around, I took heaps of photo's here.

It is only open from 7.30 to 11.00am and 2.00 to 5.00pm.
Admission is $6.50
There are EXTRA charges for CAMERA & VIDEO CAMERA.
The Palace grounds are closed during official functions.

3 more images

The royal palace is the residence of the cambodian king and also an important historical site.
There are lot´s of things to see there and the complex is very pretty and well worth a visit.
The place was built in the 19th century and is a mix of french and khmer building style.
Be aware that there is a fairly strict dress code for women in particular and knees and shoulders should not be shown at the palace compound or you will be refused entry.

3 more images

The Royal Palace was constructed over a century ago to serve as the residence of the King of Cambodia, as a venue for the performance of court ceremony and ritual and as a symbol of the Kingdom. Amazingly the buildings all survived the traumas that befell Phnom Penh intact. There are a large number of buildings within the complex, several of which are open to visitors.

The complex is open between 7.30am and 11.00am, and again between 2.30 pm and 5pm. It is advisable to visit early in the day to avoid the heat, as shade in the grounds is limited in places. Visitors must be modestly dressed (no bare legs or shoulders) Admission is $3USD; it costs an extra $2USD to take a camera in. No photography is allowed in any of the buildings. If you wish to hire a tour guide, there are plenty near the main admission booth.