The story of Phnom Penh''s origins goes back to 1372 when it is said that a local widow resident, known as Lady Penh, came across a floating chest housing four bronze statues of the Buddha and a fifth made from stone washed upon the then empty shores of the Mekong river. Taking these unexpected gifts as a sign of providence and good fortune, Lady Penh built a small temple in their honour, to keep them above the rising water levels and avoid their otherwise inevitable destruction in the flooding. To keep them safe and dry she built the temple on a hill which was then named Penh''s hill ? Phnom Penh.
The city prospered under the rule of the French but was subjected to much conflict upon their departure. Many fled the capital under the rule of Pol Pot, when the population hit an all time low of only 15 000. It now stands at around the 1 million mark.
On Sothearos Boulevard are the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda ? both main sights to see in the Cambodian capital and probably the most excellent architectural specimens of the city. The palace itself is off limits but some of the surrounding buildings can be accessed even when the king is in residence ? indicated by a raised blue flag from the palace roof. The palace complex is entered via the Silver Pagoda ? a gateway into a collection of paradisal gardens, a million miles away from the chaotic and crowded streets of the city outside.
Of Phnom Penh''s temples, Wat Phnom is the one to see. It opens its gates from dawn until dusk and offers visitors an array of Cambodian experiences from elephant rides to temple tours, though keep your travel insurance considered if you take on these types of holiday adventures.
For more gastronomic experiences, street vendors sell a range of remarkably cheap snacks, noodle dishes and even fried spiders for the more adventurous tourist. For a classier meal, however head to restaurant Sam Doo and try the succulent Sichuan prawns with spicy dressing or visit Peking, Phnom Penh''s best Chinese restaurant, where the beef and green pepper dishes are the best on offer, all with copious provisions of refreshing Chinese ice tea.
Lenita Carpinello recommends that you always take out cheap travel insurance. He's recently opted for the cheapest travel insurance he could find with from AA Travel Insurance.
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