In Khmer language, Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol is the name for the Phnom Penh Royal Palace, Cambodia which is a conglomeration of artistic marvels which was the royal palace of the Cambodian King Sihamoni. The spectacular residence constructed when King Norodom shifted the capital of Cambodia to Phnom Penh from Oudong. The location of the castle is in the old town, a strategically chosen site because it had a significant geographical connection with the King, who was regarded as The Chosen One by the gods, and who had to fulfill his duties of governing the Earthlings under the supervision of Heaven!

The royally adorned golden tiles

The Throne Hall, with its lavishly adorned golden tiles and the 59-metre tower, is one of the main attractions in the royal palace. The Royal Treasury and the Napoleon II villa lie to the south of the Throne Hall. The Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha stands on gorgeous display in the north. The sacred white elephant housed in the Royal Palace is standing icon denoting as a symbol of prosperity and much revered in Cambodia. The KHEMARIN MOHA PRASAT with the amazing gardens and the Moonlight Pavilion used for the cultural experiences are some of the things to look out for a while planning your visit to the Royal Palace. The whole architecture has a French touch adding to the beauty of the indigenous Cambodian design.

Explore various tour package options:

You can find various tour operators offering many sightseeing packages including a full-city tour or a private tour of the city for a small group of people. You can also opt for a sunset cruise or a Silk Island half-day lunch cruise. The Mekong and Tonle Sap River and Mount Oudong are a part of the sightseeing routine which you can club with amazing barbecue and drinks. Travelling to Phnom Penh from other cities of Cambodia like Siem Reap, Battambang, and Sisophon can be done via buses or by using the waterways.

How to reach to Phnom Penh?

Overseas tourists can board flights to Phnom Penh in Cambodia which usually have a stop at Bangkok in between. The location of the airport is on the outskirts of the city, and you can travel to the interiors by air-conditioned public city buses or a taxi. Moving around the city is fun when you board a tuk-tuk or a remorque-moto. While in the city, do not miss out on visiting the National Museum of Cambodia, the PsarThmei, the Tuol Sleng and the Killing fields. One can also travel to other important cities of Cambodia from Phnom Penh by making use of their domestic airline services to save valuable time on tours.

How to get the visa?

Foreigners can apply and buy a tourist visa once they arrive in Cambodia. You can also apply online for an e-visa. The Embassy of Cambodia also helps with the acquisition of tourist visas once the travelers land in the city.

The price hike for entry to the Royal Palace was announced in January, declaring that foreigners would now have to shell out Riel 40,000 as opposed to the previous price of Riel 25,000. Photography is prohibited in some areas of the Royal Palace, and hence little precaution is necessary to avoid embarrassing situations. One must also keep in mind that legs and shoulders should have to cover when going out in Cambodia.