As the news of the capital of Cambodia, the incredible city of waters, Phnom Penh being inscribed on the list of WORLD CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM just trickle in we are preparing a list of to do and to visit in the newest hot spot on the travels list in the world.
Here are 10 landmarks that we think should be ticketed on that bucket list in Phnom Penh.
Safe and fun travel from our part and this is our list!
The video of the WORLD TOURISM AWARDS CEREMONIES for PHNOM PENH the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE ND TOURISM.
Phnom Penh the recently nominated WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM is known on the world as the Gem of Asia, The city of waters and the capital of The Kingdom of Wonders: Cambodia, all are rightly deserved appellative`s and as academician Mircea Constantinescu pointed out of WORLD TOURISM AWARDS CEREMONY:
Independence Square and Monument: the heart of PHNOM PENH.
It is a city that it embraces with warmth and gentle attention the soul of the travelers and it’s the real gate to Asia and the unique gem that shines over us with the light of culture and distinction. I also take this moment to congratulate the Ministry of tourism on the initiative to create a special walking riverine prospect offering for tourists the opportunity to stroll around the banks of the famous Mekong.
But what are the cities landmarks and festivals and the true heart of the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM?
PHNOM PENH is such a generous area: encompassing the natural setting provided by the confluence of three rivers: the mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle Sap, the world unique river that is flowing upwards the stream for six months a year.
This perfect natural landscape has becoming the setting of a rich cultural city that encompasses religious monuments and heritage treasures like: Wat Ounalom, the 1443 shrine build for a sacred hair of the Buddha and considered the seat of Cambodian Buddhism who will celebrate 575 of continuously and interrupted religious activities.
Another landmark is the famous Wat Phnom, built in 1372 and restored or reconstructed in 1434, 1806, 1894 and 1926 and has become a symbol of the capital city Phnom Penh and regularly used for prayer, small offerings, and meditation.
It is a specially charged place connected with the legendary figure of grandmother Penh and from 15th century King Ponhea Yat built the capital in Phnom Penh around this sacred mountain used for keeping the cremated ash of the King.
The mountain of Wat Phnom has been transformed in the last 700 years in a place that is uniting Buddhist statues of the Angkorean era with art crafts from the medieval and modern area and also a royal necropolis hosting the stupas for keeping cremated ash of the Royal families.
Other religious places and cultural landmarks are Wat Langka who is reputedly one of Phnom Penh’s five original Wats (1422).
Established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings.
Wat Botum Padei also one of the oldest religious buildings still in use in the city from 1422 and is compound is crowded with ornate and colorful stupas, including the towering ‘Buddha’s Relic Stupa.
Wat Koh another one of the city’s five original Wats, established in the early 15th century and Wat Neak Kravorn situated in a perfect picturesque skyline of Boeung Kak lake.
PHNOM PENH is not only the seat of rich cultural and religious objectives but is also presenting a long list of tourism centers from the famed Russian Market, Old Market, Central Market, Night Market and a large array of traditional markets, to the incredible riches of National Museum having on display more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 7th to the 13th century.
Treasures include sculptures, 19th-century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins.
We have to note also in the panorama of the incredible cultural potential of Phnom Penh the fact that: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA was voted as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for the incredible treasures encompassing more than 14.00 priceless artifacts and for the perfect ways that are displayed and imbuing the visitors with the message of culture.
Phnom Penh is far from being just a huge open-air repository of temples, stupas, palaces and incredible museums it is also a place where the energy of his peoples is channeled into huge celebrations like Moon Festival, Water Festival, Royal Ploughing Day, Khmer New Year or famed Buddha Day-Visakh Bochea Day.
MEKONG ISLAND (KOH DACH)
If you wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and venture into a world of peace and tranquility, then a visit to Mekong Island about 15km north of the city centre will be just right for you.
Bounded by views of rice paddies, vegetable farms and fruit orchards, Mekong Island not only serves as a venue for an enjoyable day trip or picnic but also enables you to experience the country’s authentic culture at its best.
This island occupies an area of about ten hectares of land and is one of the prominent centers of traditional handicrafts in Cambodia, with artisans engaged in silk weaving, pottery, woodcarving and dyeing in its villages.
Royal Palace used to be the symbol of the imperial power of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the residence of the royal family. In Khmer language, the full name of Royal Palace of Phnom Penh is Preah Barom Reachea Vaeng Chaktomuk.
The modern Royal Palace was designed by a famous French engineer, dating back to the end of the 19th century. The resplendent and magnificent Royal Palace is the typical
Cambodia building, situated in the east of Phnom Penh and facing the confluence of Mekong River and Tonle Sap River.
It is a magnificent building with golden roof and yellow walls surrounding it, consisting of over 20 palaces of various sizes, such as the golden palace, the silver palace and the treasure palace with exquisite reliefs on the winding corridors.
The treasure palace is inside the golden palace, displaying precious treasures and the ground is paved with over 4,700 silver bricks.
In the palace, there is also a natural jade Buddha statue with the height of about 60 centimeters, regarding as the national treasure of Cambodia.
It is also the holy land for the Buddhist devotions of the successive kings.
Phnom Penh is waiting the travelers, tourists and all those who want to experience the true charm of Asia and the magic of a World Capital of Culture and Tourism with the open doors.
Come and discover the magic of Mekong, come and find your true city of love: Phnom Penh!
It is also a vindication of the country incredible cultural heritage and legacy stretching for more than two millenniums.
Cambodia succeeds one more time to shine on world cultural stage as the National Museum from Phnom Penh gets on the list of World`s Favorite Museums.
National Museum of Cambodia is named for the second year as World`s Favourite Museum
With over 1 million visitors per year and over 14.000 objects and artifacts, the museum takes a leading role in the world of culture and has received a host of world dignitaries in the last years when the Museum has become a symbol of Cambodia’s recent renaissance.
The history of the National Museum of Cambodia goes back to the early 20th century.
It was inaugurated on 13 April 1920, under the patronage of King Sisowath and is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Khmer cultural artifacts including sculpture, ceramics and ethnographic objects from the prehistoric, pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and post-Angkorian periods.
King Sisowath statue adorns the center of Phnom Penh.
He was the creator of National Museum of Cambodia.
The Museum promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of Cambodia‘s heritage through the presentation, conservation, safekeeping, interpretation and acquisition of Cambodian cultural material.
It aims to educate and inspire its visitors with a humongous collection of huge Buddhas, Vishnu`s, and Shiva’s, cryptic and poetic inscription fragments, intimidating weaponry, and elegant vases.
The museum carries a remarkably thorough vision of Cambodia’s art, from the pre-history to the post-Angkor periods.
Angkor period statues: the main highlight of the National Museum of Cambodia.
Not only the large art collections or the valuable patrimony had made the museum to top the list of world`s museums, but also the educational trail offered to visitors was taken into consideration as is offering the opportunity to delve into history, to be affordable and effortless and helping visitors to understand, contemplate and relax at the same time.
On November 24, 2017, on the function of the official signing of the 2017 World Tourism, Culture and Travel Awards, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea announced the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHNOM PENH is recognized as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for a second year in a row for his priceless artifacts and outstanding contribution to the human civilization understanding.
In 2016 the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA received the visits of ASEAN delegates, European Union delegates, who praised the outstanding humanity’s legacy of Kingdom of Cambodia and of the European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates led by President Anton Caragea.
World Capital of Culture and Tourism has become a program of United Nations AGENDA FOR HUMANITY recognized for his capacity to foster development, growth, opportunities, youth employment, women`s empowerment and offering abridge toward dialogue and goodwill among peoples, nations and cultures.
THE AGENDA FOR HUMANITY is a United Nations tailored program that sets out five major areas for action and change.
Antonio Guterres United Nations Secretary-General noted that "We must engage our collective strengths and mobilize new partnerships to prevent and end conflicts, reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and address the root causes of fragility... It is critical that we maintain this momentum to advance the Agenda for Humanity and deliver better results for people in the coming years," he said.
European Council on Tourism and Trade decided to inscribe WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM as the perfect instrument for Agenda for Humanity and in building up dialogue and development, in fostering people to people exchange and use tourism and tourism investment as tools to achieve sustainable development goals for each nation of the world while keeping at the fore the values of cultural heritage and historical patrimony protection.
"I welcome the contribution that the five core responsibilities of the Agenda for Humanity make to help achieve this vision and I am gratified to see the progress that is being made by so many stakeholders to take forward the commitments," the United Nations Secretary-General said.
THE AGENDA FOR HUMANITY is a United Nations tailored program that sets out five major areas for action and change, the 5 Core Responsibilities, that are needed to address and reduce humanitarian need, risk and vulnerability, and 24 key transformations that will help achieve them.
WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM is the program of European Council on Tourism and Trade carved out to support tourism development, cultural protection, economic inclusive and sustainable development and sustainable development goals implementation.
WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM on Agenda for Humanity can be accessed here:
European Council on Tourism and Trade President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, has accepted the invitation from Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, for a familiarization visit with the realities of the Latin American country.
Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela invited an European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation to see first hand the realities of Venezuela.
Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela has marked in the official invitation letter addressed to European Council on Tourism and Trade President: As the Minister of People Power for International Relations I consider with interest your participation in this space of magnitude importance and your solidarity in this historical moment when we celebrated the legacy of dignity and justice of Comandante Hugo Chavez and of President Nicolas Maduro bequeathed to the Venezuelan people and to the Bolivarian revolution.
The visit of European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates took place from 15 to 22 September 2017 and is part of a broader strategy of the Nicolas Maduro government to develop Venezuela’s tourism industry and to diversify the nation’s economy and reduce dependence on oil income.
Tourism is a tool for a better Venezuela: H.E. Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela presents CARACAS candidature for World Capital of Culture and Tourism to H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea , President of European Council on Tourism and Trade.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, ECTT President remarked: Venezuela has one of the most diverse climates, with ice capped Andean mountains to the west, Amazon jungle to the south, wide rivers and tall waterfalls surrounded by tabletop mountains and unusual rock formations to the southeast, and a gorgeous, pristine Caribbean coast to the north that has some of the world’s finest and exclusive beaches, such as Los Roques and highest waterfalls on the planet, Angel Falls.
President/Professor Dr. Anton Caragea hosted in MIRAFORES TV studios and National Venezuelan Television.
During the week-long visit, the high-level European Council delegates hold extensive talks with various officials like: Juan Bautista Arias Palacio – Minister for Basic and Strategic Industries and Socialist Development, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister of Tourism.
President Dr. Anton Caragea receives for discussions at Hotel Alba the Vice-Minister of Tourism of Venezuela.
Agreements regarding economic cooperation, tourism promotion, TV travel documentaries and bilateral information exchange and cooperation for SDG completion in the framework of Parliamentary Assembly for Sustainable Development Goals where tabled.
Cooperation in the field of tourism promotion and ECTT technical support for Caracas drafting a coherent plan to obtain the election as World Capital of Culture and Tourism was also agreed.
The highlights of the visit, where the two memorable encounters with President Nicolas Maduro.
On September 19, 2017, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea took the distinct honor to sign the HONORARY BOOK at MIRAFLORES Presidential Palace.
On 17 September 2017, the delegates part take in the President TV Show: Sundays with Maduro! together with Evo Morales, Bolivian President.
Evo Morales, President of Bolivia presents a tourism booklet to European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation.
During the discussions, the tourism and cultural connections between the two countries were tabled and Professor Dr. Anton Caragea has given as gifts to the two President’s his latest book on Interference of Civilizations in European Union Project.
On 19 September 2017, in the conclusion of The International March of Solidarity with Venezuela, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was invited for a photo session with President Nicolas Maduro, signed the Honorary Book at Miraflores Palace and has given an interview to the Miraflores TV Channel, expressing his support for Bolivarian Revolution role in forging a free and democratic Latin America.
The cultural program of the visit included discovery trips to Natural Sanctuary of Waraira Repano, a tour of Caracas landmarks like The Cathedral of Caracas, Saint Francis, Simon Bolivar birthplace etc.
The cable car of Caracas connecting the city with Waraira Repano.
A special day was dedicated to offering respect for Venezuelan history major figures, with a visit to National Pantheon and a stop to Simon Bolivar funeral monument and Francisco Miranda tomb.
Simon Bolivar: The Hero of Latin American Liberation struggle: a lay over charged with respect for official delegates.
An emotionally charged moment was the visit to Mountain Quarter (Quartel de la Montana) the place where the architect of the Bolivarian Revolution and the apostle of the poor`s: Commander Hugo Chavez is laid for eternal rest surrounded by world gratitude and love.
The delegates witnessed the changing of the guard and where hart struck by the powerful words of remembering for the fallen hero: Chavez lives!
President Dr. Anton Caragea in a moment of respect in front of the Commander HUGO CHAVEZ Mausoleum in Mountain Quarter (Quartel de la Montana).
The ECTT delegation visit to Venezuela has given a new impetus to the relations between nations and their attendance to the world solidarity movement with Venezuela has being registered with gratitude by the people of the Caribbean nation, proudly building a revolution of freedom and dignity.
Venezuela it is blessed with an impressive diversity of natural treasures including crystalline beaches, dense jungles, expansive savannas and imposing mountains and we hope that the beautiful city of Caracas will have a fighting chance in WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM competition, stated ECTT President Dr. Anton Caragea.
It will be an incredible boost for all Caribbean region concluded the President.
Caracas: a candidate city for WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
The telepheric connecting Caracas and Waraira Repano
Natural sanctuary of Waraira Repano
MIRAFLORES Presidential Palace: the beating heart of Venezuela welcomed ECTT President!
Cathedral of Caracas: a splendid architectural marvel.
Saint Francisc Church of Caracas.
