National Museum
National Museum
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This beautiful sandstone museum was opened in 1920 and showcases many fine examples of Angkor Wat statuary.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- KNBDLondon, United Kingdom205 contributionsAll the statuary you may have missed out at the field sitesLaid out more or less chronologically, the museum allows a good overview of the development of Khmer styles from Brahiminic through to Buddhist and starting around 300AD to modern. The pre-Angkhorian statuary is particularly fine and it is good to be able to compare similar votive statuary as it evolves through the millennia and into the modern era. My view was that the earliest was best as it is lighter and more fluid and lifelike. There are items here which were taken from the original locations elsewhere, including from Ankhor Wat and they are better examples than those left in-situ at the sites in the field. The architecture of the museum is lovely and stylish but watch out for the staff - they will attempt to keep some of the change for your entry fee.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 November 2023
- Ana-Maria BCluj-Napoca, Romania1,388 contributionsImpressive artworkA beautiful building filled with treasures. The pieces inside are truly impressive, even if you are not an art aficionado. I only wish I had seen Angkor first and get the whole story, as then the statues would have made more sense to me in the grand scheme of things. No photos with the camera allowed inside, but you can use your phone.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 December 2023
- QuiltingmammaOttawa, Canada13,402 contributionsgo here first if not planning to hire a guideBe sure to go here before temples if you don't plan to hire a guide. A little pricey, but it gives a good overview of what you will see. I was able to refresh my memory on Hindu and buddhist statuary, gods and practices. It is well presented without being overwhelming.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 5 February 2024
- NotMarcoPoloMABoston, Massachusetts99 contributionsA Quick Historical Review of CambodiaI have to put in a plug for this little museum. The building itself is stunning and to be admired. Inside, you can cover the entire museum in about an hour. My favorite was a sizable room with artifacts from the Angkor temples. Many stunning statues were on display - each more interesting than the next. This is a little museum, but offers a lot of pleasure for a quick visit.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 5 February 2024
- Nancy KNeillsville, Wisconsin37 contributionsInformative & delightful afternoon at the museum.Beautiful museum with well organized exhibitions. Options for several languages make the experience meaningful for a variety of visitors. It would be good to visit before seeing Angkor Watt as the exhibits explain various aspects of Khmer history, culture, and religion.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 February 2024
- TheLush101Cardiff, United Kingdom2,512 contributionsGood collectionWe visited this mid afternoon when it was slightly quieter. You need to leave any rucksacks / backpacks at the security hut by the main gate. The ticket was relatively cheap and then you head into what looks like a relatively new (or at least renovated) building. We didn't get an audioguide so just wandered around and read the displays which are in English, French and Cambodian. A guide might have helped, but we just wanted to look at things ourselves. We ended up spending just under an hour here.Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 31 March 2024
- Angkor Silver TravelSiem Reap, Cambodia33 contributionsNational MuseumThe National Museum of Cambodia, nestled in Phnom Penh, is a treasure trove of Khmer civilization. Its majestic halls harbor millennia-old artifacts, from exquisite sculptures to ancient ceramics, narrating the kingdom's illustrious past. A sanctuary of cultural pride, it invites visitors to delve into Cambodia's rich heritage and marvel at its enduring legacy.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 25 April 2024
- dianedinkyDunfermline, United Kingdom1,347 contributionsQuite a niche art museum rather than historyThis museum is a beautiful building and in stunning surroundings. I possibly took more photos of the outside area than the inside exhibits! For a national museum, it didn't have the historical displays and context that I was expecting. Quite a lot of artwork, sculptures and some royal items like palanquin. Overall more of an interesting visit than a wow one.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 1 May 2024
- Angkor Silver TravelSiem Reap, Cambodia156 contributionsNational MuseumThe National Museum of Cambodia, located in Phnom Penh, is a cultural treasure trove showcasing the country's rich history and artistic heritage. Founded in 1920 during the French colonial period, the museum houses a vast collection of Khmer art, including sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. Its centerpiece is the exquisite collection of Angkorian artifacts, including sculptures from the temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. With its elegant Khmer architecture and tranquil gardens, the museum provides visitors with a serene setting to explore Cambodia's past and appreciate its enduring cultural legacy.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 11 May 2024
- Zhen Juan HCheriton Bishop, United Kingdom5 contributionsCambodia's Rich Cultural and Historical HeritageVisit the National Museum is a captivating journey into Cambodia's rich cultural and historical heritage. Housed in a striking traditional Khmer Khmer building, the museum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts spanning from the prehistoric ear to the post-Angkorian period. The intricately carved scultures, ancient pottery, and delicate bronzens provide a profound insight into the artistic and religious evolution of the region.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 May 2024
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4.0
4,365 reviews
Excellent
1,184
Very good
1,639
Average
1,104
Poor
336
Terrible
102
Klemen P
Klagenfurt, Austria9 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The yard inside the museum and the outside of the building is pretty beautiful. Besides that the museum is pretty old and in bad shape. The collection is mostly sandstone statues from the Angkor Wat era. So if you plan on going there, I suggest you skip this museum entirely. The whole setup is pretty bad, no chronological order and almost nothing from recent national history. The tickets are 10$ plus 5$ for the audio guide. The collection is very limited so we spent one hour max in there and didn't find much use from the audio guide. In my opinion it's not worth the time and money.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benson C
Singapore669 contributions
Jan 2020
It was underwhelming and expensive. The artifacts inside the museum were mostly from the Angkor era and consisted of statues and pottery that can be seen in Siem Reap
I believe that to tell the entire story of Cambodia, the museum needs to extend this to include the reign of Polpot and after the Angkor kingdom.
The entrance is also 10 USD which is expensive for the quality of artifacts inside.
Give it a miss and lower priority when in Phnom Penh
I believe that to tell the entire story of Cambodia, the museum needs to extend this to include the reign of Polpot and after the Angkor kingdom.
The entrance is also 10 USD which is expensive for the quality of artifacts inside.
Give it a miss and lower priority when in Phnom Penh
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RC_luv2trvl
Waxhaw, NC31 contributions
June 2020 • Solo
Sorry for the somewhat negative review Cambodian government but my experience at this museum was being happier to be inside and out of the rain than what this museum offered. Too many similar like statues carvings etc close together in unappealing large hall rooms made me bored. Without the extra audio option, there weren’t enough associated English descriptions to keep my attention. Though I will say the central square grounds are pleasant. But honestly, I didn’t learn or see much of anything new and would’ve preferred to save the $10 entrance fee.
Written 11 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samiya7
Deerfield Beach, FL1,207 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Our tour guide advised us he was not allowed to guide us inside and referred us to museum guide, although we saw a regular tour guide inside. We had to pay a fee for this additional guide and he basically explained the periods of each piece. When I asked questions he would just look at the written explanation. I didn’t see any value in this museum guide. The museum has an open court with 4 wings to view and it’s mostly buddhas and Hindu deities. It was so stifling hot in there and there is no AC and not many fans that it was difficult to take your time reading the placards and enjoying the few pieces that were there. The architecture was beautiful. We thought the $10 entrance fee was pricey. I wouldn’t recommend unless you are really into stone and bronze buddhas and deities.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Lewis
Harlow, UK919 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
It’s pointless visiting this museum if you don’t take an audio guide.
Sure lots of exhibits have brief descriptions but you get so much more info with guide, instead of just walking around not knowing what you’re looking at.
Lots of carvings/statues/ Buddha etc, but also some interesting artefacts....sadly some with unknown provenance.
Spend a couple of hours here, they have a small cafe and lovely gardens too.
Sure lots of exhibits have brief descriptions but you get so much more info with guide, instead of just walking around not knowing what you’re looking at.
Lots of carvings/statues/ Buddha etc, but also some interesting artefacts....sadly some with unknown provenance.
Spend a couple of hours here, they have a small cafe and lovely gardens too.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
htmcrp
Luzon, Philippines100 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Usually I like to visit museums to learn about the history of a country, city and people.
While the National Museum in Phnom Penh is on the list of places to visit and very close to the Royal Palace it is a given to visit.
There are a few written tablets but mostly displays of figurines.
One, I did not rent an audio guide (probably my fault) and second the museum is overshadowed by the prison S21 and the killing fields. Therefore I was not much impresses.
More interesting might be the architecture and the tranquil setting of the place.
While the National Museum in Phnom Penh is on the list of places to visit and very close to the Royal Palace it is a given to visit.
There are a few written tablets but mostly displays of figurines.
One, I did not rent an audio guide (probably my fault) and second the museum is overshadowed by the prison S21 and the killing fields. Therefore I was not much impresses.
More interesting might be the architecture and the tranquil setting of the place.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Garry von Billen
Phnom Penh, Cambodia15 contributions
Feb 2020
The building is not wheelchair friendly but other disabled people can negotiate the museum with help.
The place is full of historical Cambodian artifacts taken from all over the country and put on display to give the visitor an insight into the cultural and religious ways of their ancestors.
The place needs some maintenance to be done so the more people visiting can only help to provide the much needed funds to get the general standards to be improved.
Disabled toilets are located near the ticket office at the entrance. Other toilets are within the building.
Allow about an hour or two to see all the exhibits.
The place is full of historical Cambodian artifacts taken from all over the country and put on display to give the visitor an insight into the cultural and religious ways of their ancestors.
The place needs some maintenance to be done so the more people visiting can only help to provide the much needed funds to get the general standards to be improved.
Disabled toilets are located near the ticket office at the entrance. Other toilets are within the building.
Allow about an hour or two to see all the exhibits.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer
Toulouse, France280 contributions
Mar 2020
A must see if you love Khmer art: the museum hosts pre-angkorian & angkorian sculptures saved from the temples. Master piece is the peaceful sculpture of Jayavarman VII which is reproduced everywhere. People still bring fresh lotus flowers to honor their ancient king.
Written 11 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sohjimguan
Klang, Malaysia47 contributions
Feb 2020
Great museum for those who like the ancient Khmer culture and learn how it all started. The audio tour is helpful but too long if you visit every item on the audio tour 5 hours would not be enough to cover everything. So to save time only see and listen to audio tour for only the items that you are interested in.
Only disappointment was there no more modern history there such as the French colonization or even the brutal Khmer Rouge history. So you have to visit other attractions such as Toul Sleng museum to learn on more recent history of Cambodia.
Only disappointment was there no more modern history there such as the French colonization or even the brutal Khmer Rouge history. So you have to visit other attractions such as Toul Sleng museum to learn on more recent history of Cambodia.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helenandpaul13
Worcester, UK1,684 contributions
Mar 2023
I visited here on my first full day in the city. It it situated very near to the Royal Palace gardens, which are just alongside the river. The museum is difficult to find because it is poorly signposted and it took me some time to get my bearings and I inadvertently walked past it twice. However, if you have the palace in front of you with the river behind you, walk to the right and take the first turning on the right. Walk along this rad to the next junction where the museum is on the left.
As a foreigner I had to pay a $10 entrance fee. The museum is full of artefacts from about 10th - 14th century with art, sculpture, carvings and scripture. Some of the exhibits are local while others are from different parts of the country. Some of the objects are stunningly beautiful, especially a large carved wardrobe with was situated just behind a door in a room filled with statues of Buddha, where people have the opportunity to pray and pay their respects. The wardrobe was wonderfully decorated, symmetrical and probably worth a small fortune.
There are signs around the building clearly saying "no photo's" which were being ignored by many visitors, mainly European ones, who had their mobile phones out snapping everything in sight. So disrespectful. I was there for well over two hours. You can get an audio guide, for an additional charge, although I opted not to have one. Some of the objects however are poorly marked with just labels on them indicating where they were found and their possible age, so its probably best to get a guide if possible. However, the objects were marked in English, which was helpful.
There is a small cafe in the middle concourse selling hot and cold drinks as well as souvenirs including scarfs, books and toys for the children.
Overall, I thought the visit was worth it, although I begrudged having to pay the entrance fee as a non-national. However, while I was there working were doing repairs to some parts of the building so scaffolding can be seen.
As a foreigner I had to pay a $10 entrance fee. The museum is full of artefacts from about 10th - 14th century with art, sculpture, carvings and scripture. Some of the exhibits are local while others are from different parts of the country. Some of the objects are stunningly beautiful, especially a large carved wardrobe with was situated just behind a door in a room filled with statues of Buddha, where people have the opportunity to pray and pay their respects. The wardrobe was wonderfully decorated, symmetrical and probably worth a small fortune.
There are signs around the building clearly saying "no photo's" which were being ignored by many visitors, mainly European ones, who had their mobile phones out snapping everything in sight. So disrespectful. I was there for well over two hours. You can get an audio guide, for an additional charge, although I opted not to have one. Some of the objects however are poorly marked with just labels on them indicating where they were found and their possible age, so its probably best to get a guide if possible. However, the objects were marked in English, which was helpful.
There is a small cafe in the middle concourse selling hot and cold drinks as well as souvenirs including scarfs, books and toys for the children.
Overall, I thought the visit was worth it, although I begrudged having to pay the entrance fee as a non-national. However, while I was there working were doing repairs to some parts of the building so scaffolding can be seen.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’d love to find a guide - audio or human - focused on the returned antiquities. Any recommendations? Visiting Nov 26-28.
Written 24 November 2024
Hello,
Is the museum open during the puplic holiday Pchum Ben? Thanks
Written 24 September 2019
Has anyone seen the Apsara dance show at the museum? I read elsewhere that it’s on Mondays, Wednesdays and weekends. Should we buy tickets to the museum and dance show online? Thank you!
Written 2 June 2019
Hi, I wish i could say yes, but it is a No. I have not seen the Aspara show in the museum while I was there. Hope you will figure it out!
Written 4 June 2019
Has the entrance fee gone up to $15? On the map I got from my hotel they stated $3?
Written 8 August 2018
Dear Elleke,
When we've stayed there the fee was $ 10. If it's now even higher, don't visit it. We were with 3 and it was far too expensive.
Written 8 August 2018
There is not any air conditioning here. However, if you go to Ankor Wat. It is good opportunity to switch on your physical into hot hi-humidity mode.
I recommend to bring several bottle of water, folding fan and wet neckerchief.
Written 29 May 2018
Hi, is there a space to store luggage or backpack in the museum? Planning to go there in the afternoon after checking out before the night bus.
Written 29 August 2017
I do not recall but there is a cloakroom in the museum which states: "Cloakroom facilities are available at the main entrance. Please leave large items and bags here." So not sure if there are lockers for luggage / backpacks but apparently you can safely leave "large items and bags" there.
Written 29 August 2017
Hi There,
We have some guests asking us about visiting Phnom Penh and especially this national museum, does this place require long hour visiting and how much does it cost for entrance fee, does it require local tour guide? Any good clean restaurant inside?
Thank you,
Por Cuisine, Siem Reap
Written 1 January 2017
I believe it is about $5US to get in and you could get thru in about two hours at the most. Tour guides are available at extra cost but not essential- but informative. As it is on the river front there are many clean restaurants including Friends cafe and restaurant which is quite lovely.
Written 9 January 2017
Worth going when it's raining or will you miss out on too much of the outside/gardens?
Written 22 November 2016
1) Traditional Dancing is inside the building near entrance gate in the evening. It's no problem in raining. I recommend this is worth for feeling Cambodia culture.
2) Buddha statues and gardens in outside are difficult to enjoy when heavy raining. You can spend time in the building, But those arts depend on your feeling. You can see a half of comments are opposite opinion. Even for me, Japanese Buddhist, it is different from Japanese Buddha and feel strange a little. We can learn from them but not enjoy.
3) There is no good entertainment in Phunom Penh. You have better spend time by coffee break or massage for raining 2 hours. It will stop and you can enjoy sightseeing. Good luck!
Written 22 November 2016
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