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The Royal Palace is one of the most famous places in Phnom Penh and definitely worth a visit. Located along the Riverside, it’s a great place to spend part of your day exploring Cambodia’s royal history and admiring the beautiful Khmer architecture.

The location is also very convenient. After exploring the Royal Palace, you can easily continue your day by visiting one of the many cafés or restaurants around the Riverside.

Getting there is quite easy, and there are several ways to reach the palace. For my visit, I decided to take a tuk-tuk, which was a simple and convenient way to get there while enjoying the streets of Phnom Penh along the way.

🎟️ Ticket & Guided Tour

The entrance ticket to the Royal Palace is $10 USD per person. If you would like to have a guide, there is an additional $10 USD.

I decided to choose the guided tour because I wanted to learn more about the history and meaning behind the palace, rather than simply walking around and looking at the buildings. My guide explained the different buildings and their history, which made the visit much more interesting and meaningful.

Having a guide was definitely helpful because there are so many beautiful details around the palace that I probably wouldn’t have understood or noticed on my own.

🕐 Opening Hours & How Long to Spend

The Royal Palace is open from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM.

If you choose to have a guide, the guided explanation takes approximately one hour. After that, you can take your time exploring the palace and its surroundings on your own.

There is no specific dress code required to enter the Royal Palace, but I would still recommend wearing comfortable and respectful clothing, especially since you’ll be visiting an important royal and cultural site.

🌕 Important Tip: Full Moon Schedule

If you’re planning to visit during the full moon, make sure to check the schedule beforehand. During the full moon, the King will be at the main building for prayer from approximately 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and the Royal Palace will be closed to visitors during this time.

So, if you’re planning your visit around these hours, it’s best to check the schedule in advance and plan your visit accordingly.

👑 Exploring the Royal Palace

After buying our tickets, we met our guide, who took us around the Royal Palace and explained the history and stories behind the different buildings and attractions.

As soon as you enter, one of the first things you’ll see is a Buddha’s Birth Tree. According to our guide, the flowers of this tree are very unique because they only bloom for one day. They bloom from morning until evening, and then the flowers die. It was such an interesting story to hear as we started our visit.

As we continued the tour, we also saw the main building where the King holds meetings. However, visitors are not allowed to go inside or take photographs in this area, so make sure to follow the palace rules.

Another building displays beautiful items connected to the Royal Family, including traditional clothing used for royal weddings, gold and silver dishes used by the King, and jewelry belonging to the Queen. It was fascinating to see these royal treasures up close and learn about their history from our guide.

One of the highlights for me was seeing the many Buddha statues made from real gold. Inside the building where the Buddha statues are displayed, visitors are also allowed to pray and make donations. It was a peaceful and meaningful part of the visit.

🎨 More to Explore Inside the Royal Palace

As we continued exploring, we came across a beautiful wall covered with paintings created by local Cambodian artists. Each painting tells a story connected to Cambodia’s history, so it was interesting to walk along the wall while listening to our guide explain the stories behind the artwork.

You’ll also find several beautiful buildings that were built as memorials for different Kings. Each one has its own design and meaning, and they are all incredibly beautiful.

Another interesting spot is a giant tree with holy water in front of it. Visitors can wash their hands and face with the water if they wish. There is also a prayer area inside the giant tree, which makes this place feel even more special and peaceful.

And if you love taking photos, you’ll definitely find plenty of beautiful photo spots throughout the Royal Palace. If you want to make your visit extra special, you can even rent traditional Cambodian clothing and take beautiful photos around the palace. 📸🇰🇭

☀️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind

One thing I would definitely recommend is preparing for the weather. It can get very hot, especially when you’re walking around the outdoor areas.

Make sure to bring:

• 🧢 A hat
• 🧴 Sunscreen
• 💨 A small electric fan
• 💧 Plenty of water

For me, the heat was actually quite intense, and I started feeling dizzy because of the heat. So please take care of yourself, stay hydrated, and take breaks whenever you need to.

The Royal Palace is beautiful, but enjoying the experience also means making sure you’re comfortable and safe while exploring it.

🎶 A Beautiful Way to End the Visit

As you make your way toward the exit, you may also find a local musician playing traditional Khmer instruments. The beautiful and peaceful music was such a lovely way to finish our visit to the Royal Palace.

After spending time learning about Cambodia’s royal history, architecture, and culture, hearing traditional Khmer music at the end made the experience feel even more special. 🇰🇭✨

👑 Final Thoughts

Overall, visiting the Royal Palace was such a beautiful and memorable experience. It’s not only a place to admire the stunning Khmer architecture, but also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Cambodia’s royal history, culture, and traditions.

I’m glad I chose to have a guide because I learned so many interesting stories and details that I probably wouldn’t have known by exploring on my own. From the beautiful paintings and royal treasures to the golden Buddha statues and traditional Khmer music, there was so much to see and discover.

If you’re visiting Phnom Penh, I would definitely recommend adding the Royal Palace to your itinerary. Just remember to check the schedule before you go, especially around the full moon, and prepare yourself for the heat. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and a small electric fan if you have one!

After exploring the palace, you can easily continue your day around the Riverside, where you’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants to relax and enjoy afterward.

For me, the Royal Palace was definitely worth the visit—a beautiful place to experience a little piece of Cambodia’s history and culture. 🇰🇭👑✨