If you want to understand a country’s history and culture, the museum is a must-visit — and in Cambodia, the first stop should definitely be the National Museum of Cambodia.

The National Museum of Cambodia is located just north of the Royal Palace. It was founded in 1917 by a French historian and artist who was dedicated to the preservation of Khmer culture.

Upon entering the museum gate, you’ll see a traditional Khmer-style building constructed with a combination of red sandstone and wooden structures. Its tiered gabled roofs rise one after another, resembling an ancient Cambodian temple.

At the center of the museum’s main building is a square courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard stands a pavilion that houses a sacred statue, surrounded by four lotus ponds, adding a sense of serenity and solemnity to the entire museum.

 

 

Stepping through the entrance of the museum’s main building marks the official beginning of a “preview” journey into Cambodia’s rich history.

As an ancient civilization, Cambodia has a long and storied past. As early as the 1st century, it had established a unified kingdom. Among the many dynasties that rose and fell throughout its history, the Angkor Empire—which lasted for over 600 years—was the most glorious and magnificent.

The National Museum of Cambodia houses around 15,000 precious artifacts from various periods of Cambodian history, with approximately 2,000 items on permanent display at any given time.

As you begin your tour inside the building, you’ll notice that the exhibits are arranged in a very simple manner, without elaborate backdrops. The artifacts are placed one after another, roughly following the chronological development of Cambodia’s history along the visitor’s path.

From the prehistoric era to the early, middle, and late periods of the Angkor dynasty—from stone tools, bronze ware, and ceramics to wooden artifacts; from precious historical photographs to original Angkor Wat sculptures; from textiles, clothing, and oil paintings to handicrafts—diverse collections spanning various historical periods proudly tell the glorious story of the Khmer Empire.

The entire tour route is designed to be simple and straightforward. Starting from the entrance, visitors follow a clockwise path that loops through the exhibition halls and eventually returns to the starting point, marking the end of the visit.

Step into the National Museum of Cambodia, and in the quiet stillness, listen to the echoes of Cambodia’s long and turbulent history.