The prime sight is the Royal palace with its silver pagoda rising from triple roofs with classic curled eaves. Although most of the palace is the king's residence and closed to the general public, the pagoda is open Thursdays and Sundays for visitors. Its floors are covered with 5 thousand silver tiles. It has a 200lb gold Buddha, an emerald Buddha and other treaures. Classical Cambodian dance is sometimes performed at Chan Chaya Pavilion on the grounds.

The National Museum, housed in a fine traditional building, contains works of art, sculpture and handicrafts from all great periods of Khymer civilization.

Rising above the city is Wat Phnom, on a hill (phnom) where a woman named Penh built a temple after finding four Buddha statues in a tree that washed up on a bank of the Mekong. Today the temple is popular with local residents who offer prayers for good business deals or successful examination results. (Phnom was said to have been very wealthy).

The Central Market, with its Art Deco design, is a lively place for people-watching and shopping. You can find old and silver jewelry, antique coins, fake Rolexes, household wares, flowers and food. There are other markets selling imported luxury items.