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Festival

Bonn Dak Ben and Bonn Pchum Ben - Spirit Offering Festival

This festival is celebrated on a large scale in Cambodia for around 15 days. It is said to be celebrated for the blessing of the dead spirits. People from all households in Cambodia go the watts to give food to the monks so that it facilitates them to pray for the blessing of the deads’ spirits. A lot of people stay back at the watts to listen to sermons.

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Overview & visitor information

Bonn Dak Ben and Bonn Pchum Ben - Spirit Offering Festival

This festival is celebrated on a large scale in Cambodia for around 15 days. It is said to be celebrated for the blessing of the dead spirits. People from all households in Cambodia go the watts to give food to the monks so that it facilitates them to pray for the blessing of the deads’ spirits. A lot of people stay back at the watts to listen to sermons.

More festivals in Phnom Penh

Keep exploring Phnom Penh.

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New Year

Activity

New Year isn’t an official festival in Phnom Penh, but in the past few years the celebrations for the New Year has been taken to a new level with lots of enthusiasm, fireworks, etc. And even though it’s not a public holiday, most offices and shops close down on the 1st of January in Phnom Penh.

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Victory Day

Activity

This day is marked to celebrate the victory of the regime over the fall of Poll Pot’s on January 7th, 1979.

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Bonn Chaul Chhnam – Khmer New Year

Activity

It is similar to songkran in Thailand and phimai in Laos, marking the climax of the harvesting season in Cambodia. Cambodians clean and decorate their houses, splash each other and streets with water to express joy, and attend offerings at temples. Exquisite lights are arranged on the streets, and various sport events and cultural programs are organized in the city as a part of the celebrations. It normally comprises if three days, 14th-16th April.

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Bonn Visak Bochea

Activity

This is one of the very significant festivals of Cambodia, celebrated by every person in the country. Bonn Visak Bochea signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of the God Buddha. It happens during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar for one day only, usually in mid-May. A cortege of people with lit candles, sermons, and religious chanting is a part of its commemoration.

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Bonn Chrat Preah Nongkol - Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Activity

This ceremony goes back to the times when the King inaugurated the harvesting season. In this century, the ritual is performed at the inception of rainy season in Cambodia. Representatives of the King take place of the King and the Queen. A procession revolves around the field thrice and then stops at the Shrine when Brahmins provoke God. Sacred cows are brought and several items are put in front of them for e.g rice, beans, alcohol, water, etc. It is assumed that it the cows eat rice or drink water then the rice will be good. However, cow’s inclination towards alcohol or beans is considered as an alarm.

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Bonn Chol Vassa - Start of Buddhist Lent

Activity

It happens in mid-July for two days, coinciding with the eighth full moon of the lunar calendar. It marks the inception of the three special months-in which Buddhists fast and meditate. Also, it’s held to be of great importance for young men who want to enter monkhood.

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Constitution Day

Activity

This is a national festival which celebrates the official adoption of the Cambodian constitution in 1933. A holiday is given to all Cambodians to celebrate the auspicious day on September 24th.

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Mid Autumn Festival

Activity

This is celebrated widely by the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Cambodia in the middle of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Cakes and lanterns are the highlight of this festival.

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Bonn Kathen - End of Buddhist Lent

Activity

This festival marks the end of the lent and starts immediately after it for one month. People progress towards the local temples in large groups to offer gratitude, robes, and respect to the monks as a retreat.

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Paris Peace Agreement

Activity

This national holiday, 23rd October, marks the signing of the Peace agreement with Paris in 1991.

More places in Phnom Penh

Keep exploring Phnom Penh.

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Paragon Mall

Plaza

Head to Paragon Mall when the heat is scorching and kids are tired and irritating you. The ‘kids play area’ inside the mall gives them a chance to play around with balls and take electronic rides. Meanwhile you can go shop!

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Le Jardin

Garden

Located at 16 Street 360, this is the place your kids will love. Take them there for breakfast or lunch. While the delicious food arrives, kids can play in the fully toy-equipped play area and enjoy themselves.

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Phnom Tamao Zoo

zoo

This is the best place to visit with kids. Though it’s located on a 30 kilometers distance from the main city, but your kids will have a great time there while observing the rehabilitation and conservation of animals. Feeding the dear, ducks and fishes would be delight for thrm. Whereas seeing monkeys jump and roll would surely give them a fir of laughter.

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Mekong River

River

Most kids love water and the thrill that comes with a boat ride will surely beat the rollercoaster fun for them. Take a boat ride with them on the Mekong River, they will love to see the water life and wave at the kids in other boats. It gives you a quality time with kids.

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Russian Market

Market

This huge market was given the name ‘Russian’ after it turned into a major tourist stop. The market has shops for everything from electronics to fabrics and souvenirs. There are several vendors’ stalls and barrows selling inexpensive silk and other fabrics that can be given to the tailor with specifications suggested. The south of Russian Market is packed with stalls of traditional Khmer handicrafts, jewelry, silverworks, carvings, and other Khmer culture oriented craft pieces.

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Naga World Casino

Luxury

Ever since 1995, Naga world is attracting a wide range of clientele, from the casino lovers to the business elite and families! It is acknowledged as one of the best casino-hotels in Indo China and offers you their exquisite services from a relaxing spa, gaming halls, karaoke lounges, and spacious deluxe rooms and suites. At Naga world you will discover, love, and invigorate exotic beyond the trend.

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Wat Ounalom

Temple

Built in 1443, it is the center of Cambodian Buddhism. It has around 44 structures some of which were destructed during Khmer Rouge’s regime. This Wat was built to keep an eyebrow hair of a Buddha relic.

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Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Cemetery

This site is located about 17 kilometers south of Phnom Penh. It is a former Chinese graveyard. Today, it is famous with the name ‘Killing Fields’ because during the Khmer Rouge’s regime (1975-1979) about 17000 people were executed there. After the regime collapsed, several dead bodies were found from that area. Tourists are encouraged to pay this site a visit to get a picture of Cambodia’s heart-breaking history.

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Tuol Sleng- Museum of Genocide

Museum

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum reflects the dreadful history of Cambodia that every tourist needs to know. It was a school that got turned into a prison. 14000 people were the victims of sheer torture in that prison and the same people were ruthlessly killed in the Killing field later on. This museum features art collection, skull pieces and horrifying pictures and paintings from those times in 1975!

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Wat Phnom

Temple

Wat Phnom is located on a hill in a small park! It is visited more f its religious and historic significance than for its architecture and building. The cleanliness situation isn’t very commendable and monkeys would be aiming for your drinks. So it is better to not place any of your belonging on the stands, walls, ledges, etc. Admission in the Wat requires you to pay $2 and one elephant ride requires you to pay $15.

More restaurants in Phnom Penh

Keep exploring Phnom Penh.

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K West

Set in the lobby of Ajmayna Hotel, this French owned restaurant serves the finest food in town. The ambiance is chic and elegant, perfect for a romantic date or a business dinner. Delicious pastas are cooked at order and the pleasant salads are the biggest temptation! Palatable and fresh sea food is also available on order along with a wide range of Khmer dishes and side snacks. The desserts at K West are hard to resist. So, don’t forget to savor your taste buds with their mouth-watering sweets.

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Riverhouse

This restaurant mainly caters the high-clientele with their mouthwatering Thai, French and American food delicacies. It is established in a reconstructed French colonial building and gives an overview of the Mekong River while you savor the delectable food. It gives you the option to either relish your meal while enjoying the scenic views of the Mekong River or settle yourself in an air-conditioned hall to ensure maximum privacy. The restaurant is packed at most nights hence making a reservation is a smart choice!

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Topaz

Located on the Samdech Sothearos Boulevard, this restaurant serves the most succulent steaks in town! It is contemporary French styled building is soothing to eyes and the perfect ambiance makes eating out at Topaz absolutely great. The French and Thai cuisine is served with outstanding presentation. Besides food, Topaz has a name for its divine French wines. So for all food and exotic wine lovers, this is the place for you to crash in!

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Bai Thong

The elegance of Bai Thong is perfect for a much awaited romantic dinner or even a long pending business meeting. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxed and from the white table cloth to the food served, every feature is top-notch. Fully air-conditioned rooms and the extensive menu, now including Laos, Vietnamese and Khymer cuisines as well, is a rare combination especially if topped up with excellent timely and wifi services.

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Chow Restaurant

It is an elite posh restaurant with a beautiful riverfront, featuring a chic setting, and detailed contemporary décor. The mouthwatering Asian food is served with intricate dressing details and an incredible selection of wine is offered to the customers. Special deals for the great happy hours are available. It is better to make the reservations in advance at Chow to save yourself the disappointment of house-full later on.

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Amber Garden Terrace

Situated on the busy 57th Street, this airy hotel is not just affordable but serves the finest Khymer food. The breezy environment gives a casual and serene touch to your meals and sets a light mood. If your taste buds crave for something beyond Khymer delights then you’ve the choice to select from a wide range of International delicacies. While you wait for your order, you can always catch up on recent facebook updates or emails while utilixing their free wifi services.

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Anise Terrace

This restaurant offers the delectable Southeast Asian cuisine at a very reasonable price. The seating arrangement could be made on the terrace or in the air-conditioned hall. The fish cakes at Anise Terrace are particularly delicious. You can catch up on your work, while waiting for the order, through the free wifi service.

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Chiang Mai Riverside

The air-conditioned ‘Thailand Brand certified’ enjoys an excellent reputation among its customers for the delicious Thai cuisine and a variety of vegetarian dishes. It has been established since a long time and is popular in among the locales for its home-cooking. If you are slightly conscious about diet issues but still want to relish delectable food, Chiang Mai Riverside is the place for you to dine at.

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Chicago Grill and Steak

This restaurant established in a wonderful setting has expertise in delicious American food. Starting with the scrumptious steaks to the wide variety of salads, potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob, everything is served in the quintessential American way. A fine selection of chicken is also available for Western food lovers!

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112 Restaurant

Established near the colonial French mansions, this is the place to be if you are French food fanatic! This restaurant with a busy and slightly packed décor offers the best and finest French cuisine. Their selection ranges from delicious salads to steak tartare and several other contemporary and French cuisines. Different types of music keep your mood changing and set.