Phnom Penh Independence Monument

Designed by Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, the monument is a nod to the stupas seen at Angkor Wat: Lotus-like, with five levels of naga heads (snakes) adding ancient intricacy to the design. Beyond commemorating the country’s religious history and its 1953 independence, the monument also serves as a place of remembrance—wreaths laid at the structure's base speak to the many Cambodians who have lost their lives serving their country.

The monument sits in the center of a roundabout at the intersection of Sihanouk and Norodom boulevards. Toward the former (the eastern side), visitors will find a pretty green space ideal for tai chi, aerobics, or simply relaxing and people-watching.

• As this is a place of reverence, act mindfully when visiting the monument.

• Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace, and Sisowath Quay are all just a few blocks away.

• Holiday celebrations take place here, including Independence Day (Jan. 7) and Constitution Day (Sept. 24).

As the monument essentially sits in traffic, you can “get there” by driving along Sihanouk and Norodom boulevards—take your vehicle, hire a taxi, or opt for a tuk-tuk. If you want to stay a while, access the monument from the green space largely to the east, which connects to Wat Botum Park.

Though the monument is always open and suitable for a visit, there are two daily windows when the structure really shines: in the late afternoon, when long shadows splay out across the monument floors, and at night, when the monument is lit up in the colors of the Cambodian flag—red, white, and blue.

To be clear, Cambodian independence from France predates the wartime struggles most travelers know—aka the Cambodian Genocide, led by the Khmer Rouge (1975–1979). With the monument erected in 1958, it’s important to understand the hope this structure symbolized, the possibilities it stood for, and the dark future it lay unaware of.