The Royal Palace

Built on the site of King Norodom’s Palace, the Royal Palace is now home to the current King (Norodom’s great-great-grandson) and Queen of Cambodia. The palace grounds, which include several glorious Khmer-style golden-roofed buildings and a tranquil garden dotted with lotus flowers and topiary trees, can be visited when the Royal family is not in residence. Topped with a striking four-faced tower, the most impressive building is the Throne Hall, which dates from 1919 and is a faithful representation of Norodom’s original wooden palace. It’s worth taking off your shoes and checking your camera to enter the Silver Pagoda (so-called because of the 5,000 plus silver floor tiles), at the center of which an emerald Buddha statue sits atop a five-tiered dais.