Bakheng Temple-the temple of Angkor Area

When talking about Angkor's highest temple, Phnom Bakheng stands first. It offers the finest and most beautiful scenery in the surrounding region. Furthermore, the Bakheng temple is a spectacular building that attracts a lot of tourists every day from the dark until dawn. The temple is a famous and perfect place for capturing a beautiful sunrise. Many people like to get up at 5 am, go to the temple, and wait for the sunrise. After 8 or 9 am, they exit the temple to have breakfast, yet there are several other tourists who keep going up. Before evening, people start to go to the temple again around 3 to 4 pm. By the time they arrive at the top, they will wait to see another beautiful sunset view. Bakheng temple is located on the northwest side of Angkor Wat, about 1,500 meters away, generating a perfect area for viewing the world’s heritage from far.

Royal Palace (Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol)

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings although it is generally understood to be the Royal abode of the King of Cambodia. It was called in full name “Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol”. The Royal Palace is considered as the representation of the whole nation and all temple complexes in the Royal Palace are painted in yellow, representing Buddhism, and white representing Hinduism. It faced the East and is situated at the Western bank of the cross-division of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong Rover called Chaktomuk.

Independence Monument

Independence Monument, or Vimean Ekareach as it is referred to in Khmer, is a majestic structure that dominates Phnom Penh city center. Erected in 1955, the Independence Monument symbolizes Cambodian Independence gained from French colonialism in 1953. It stands at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the center of the city.

Wat Phnom

The Wat Phnom Temple is the most significant of all the temples in Phnom Penh. The temple has a close-knitted relationship with the capital city. This in effect is a sanctuary founded by Daun Penh (Grandma Penh), a wealthy widow who in 1372, retrieved from a river a log with five Buddha statues in it and ordered to elevate a piece of her property on which to build a temple to house the statues. The 27 meters high man-made hill became known as Wat Phnom. The Chedey and temples of Wat Phnom were renovated several times, in 1434, 1806, 1894, and 1926, and each year of renovation made the sanctuary looks better. 

Palm Tree (Borassus flabellifer): The National Tree of Cambodia

The palm tree is a kind of plant that has been widely grown in Cambodia for a long time ago. The palm tree, commonly known as Borassus flabellifer in scientific name and in Khmer called “Tnaot”, is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Lao, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.  

Giant Mekong Barb: The National Fish of Cambodia

Giant barb or Trei Kol Raing is the largest species of cyprinid in the world. These migratory fish are found only in the Mae Klong, Mekong, and Chao Phraya river basins in Indochina peninsular. It has declined drastically due to habitat loss and overfishing, and it is now considered critically endangered. 

Royal Turtle: The National Reptile of Cambodia

Royal Turtle is a reptile that represents Khmer culture and is also known as "Arn Derk SorSai" or "Arn Derk Loung" in Khmer, as well as the English name Royal Turtle and the scientific name "Batagur Baska". It has white eyes, a straight-up nose-shaped, 60 cm long black or grey shell, and only four toes which differ from the general turtle with five toes as human. Its front legs are big and have contiguous skin similar to duck legs. In ancient times, it had a history protected by a royal decree and was considered as the royal dynasty property in Cambodia.

Chek Pong Moin (Musa Aromatic)

The National fruit of Cambodia is the Chicken egg banana. The banana is regarded as the national fruit of Cambodia among the most other valuable plants and provides many benefits to society same as a palm tree and Rumduol flower.

Tror Yorng (Giant Ibis): The National Bird of Cambodia

Giant Ibis (Tror Yorng) is a species of bird that is identified as a symbol for the Cambodian nation. The adults have overall dark grayish-brown plumage, with a naked greyish head, and upper neck. There are dark bands across the back of the head and shoulder area and the pale silvery-grey wing tips also have black crossbars. The beak is yellowish-brown, the legs are orange, and the eyes are dark red. This is the largest of the world’s ibises. Adults are reportedly 102-106 cm long, with an upright standing height of up to 100 cm, and are estimated to weigh about 4.2 kg.

Kouprey (Wild Ox): The National Mammal of Cambodia

The Koupreys “Grey ox” is a little-known, forest-dwelling, wild bovine species from Southeast Asia. Koupreys is a mammal species identified as a symbol for the Cambodian nation and a rare animal in the world.

Krama (Khmer Scarf)

Kramar is a sturdy traditional Cambodian garment and signifies the Khmer cultural identity with many daily-life uses and ornate by all segments and religions.

Sey Game

Sey Game has been the most popular folk traditional game for men of all ages since ancient times to present-day. It is most commonly played in open spaces in the late afternoon or in pagodas during Khmer New Year and other Festivals.