Phnom Penh
A trip to Cambodia should definitely start from the capital Phnom Penh: a vibrant town, a mix of tradition and modernity that can be breathed in every corner.
Once known as “the pearl of Asia” because of its beauty, the city still has many buildings in both French colonial traditional Khmer style.
The name derives from a legend that tells the story of an old lady named Penh who, after a storm, found four Buddha statues by the Tonle Sap river and decided to build a temple where they could be placed and honored from the top of the hill (Phnom in Khmer language), near her home. Phnom Penh means “The hill of Penh”.
The city houses some of the most beautiful architectural and historical evidence of the country, such as the Royal Palace – built in Khmer style – which includes the throne room with a 59-meter-high tower, and the Silver Pagoda, is famous for its floor made of 500 silver tiles weighing one kilogram each.
Along the long river you’ll find many hotels, bars and restaurants inside colonial buildings, as well as lively markets. Delicious food and a very friendly population are just some of the attractions that are making Phnom Penh regain its recognition as the pearl of Asia.
Tuol Sleng genocide Museum
Seo Tuol Sleng, the museum of the victims of the Pol Pot regime, is certainly worth visiting. It was a high school originally, and was later transformed into a place of imprisonment and torture by the Khmer Rouge: the Security Prison 21 (S-21). About 17 thousand people were killed here. When prisoners were first brought to Tuol Sleng, they were made aware of ten rules that they were to follow during their incarceration. What follows is what is posted today at the Tuol Sleng Museum:
- You must answer accordingly to my question. Don’t turn them away.
- Don’t try to hide the facts by making pretexts this and that, you are strictly prohibited to contest me.
- Don’t be a fool for you are a chap who dare to thwart the revolution.
- You must immediately answer my questions without wasting time to reflect.
- Don’t tell me either about your immoralities or the essence of the revolution.
- While getting lashes or electrification you must not cry at all.
- Do nothing, sit still and wait for my orders. If there is no order, keep quiet. When I ask you to do something, you must do it right away without protesting.
- Don’t make pretext about Kampuchea Krom in order to hide your secret or traitor.
- If you don’t follow all the above rules, you shall get many lashes of electric wire.
- If you disobey any point of my regulations you shall get either ten lashes or five shocks of electric discharge.
