Historical Phnum Penh

Day 1: Arrival at Phnom Penh                                                                                                             -/-/D

Guide pick up at Phnom Penh Airport, transfer to check in hotel, afternoon start to visit The Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda. The Royal Palace serves as the residence of the King, a venue for court ceremony and as a symbol of the Kingdom. It was first established at its present location when the capital was moved from Oudong to Phnom Penh in 1866 under King Norodom and French protectorate, though the Palace did not attain its current general form until about 1920. Attached to the Palace compound, Wat Preah Keo Morokat (the Silver Pagoda) is unique amongst pagodas. So named for its silver tiled floor, it is where the King meets with monks, Royal ceremonies are performed and it houses a collection of priceless Buddhist and historical objects including the “Emerald Buddha”. Unlike most pagodas, no monks live at the Silver Pagoda. Then visit Victoria Park and Independent Monument, dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Phnom Penh                                                                                                                               B/L/D

Breakfast at hotel, then visit start the Choeung Ek Memorial (The Killing Field). The Killing Field were essentially ad hoc places of execution and dumping grounds for dead bodies during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). After the Khmer Rouge regime, memorials were set up at many of the sites, some containing the bones and remnants of victims gathered from the area. Prior to 1975, Choeung Ek just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery. But during the Khmer Rouge regime the area became one of the infamous killing fields. Then visit Wat Phnom Hill, lunch at local restaurant, afternoon visit The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Prior to 1975, Tuol Sleng was a high school a set of classroom buildings in a walled compound. When the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975 they converted into the S-21 prison. The Tuol Sleng compound now serves as a museum, a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime. Much has been left in the state it was in when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. Then continue to visit National Museum. This evening will take a boat trip and view the beautiful sunset along the Mekong River, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Departure form Phnom Penh                                                                                     B/L/-

Breakfast at hotel, then free shopping at Russian Market or Central Market lunch at local restaurant, then send to Phnom Penh airport take flight back to sweet home!