Blending stunning traditional Khmer architecture with French colonial influences and bejeweled Buddhas, Phnom Penh is filled with incredible art and architecture.

The elegant Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh’s most iconic landmarks, despite being built only a century ago. The palace features classic Khmer architecture, with intricate gilding and serene French-style manicured gardens. As this is the official residence of Cambodia’s King Sihamoni, some parts of the complex are closed to the public; however, visitors are welcome to tour a cluster of surrounding buildings and the Palace’s Throne Hall. Used for coronations and prestigious ceremonies, this important space was completed in 1919. However, many of the items which were originally displayed here were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.

Next to the palace, the Silver Pagoda complex is also open to the public. With five tons of gleaming silver that line the floor, a small emerald-green Buddha, said to be made of Baccarat crystal and a 200-pound, life-sized, solid-gold Buddha crowned with 9,584 diamonds – the Silver Pagoda is surely one of Cambodia’s most breathtaking gems. The diamonds on the Buddha are of various shapes and sizes -- the largest is 25 carats! Several more Buddhas are here to see, including those made from bronze and silver. A mythological mural of the Reamker wraps around the outside of the structure. The Reamker is a popular epic poem among the Khmer people, depicting ideals of justice and fidelity, which is often represent in dance theater and works of art. An Italian marble staircase leads into the pagoda.