Educational and Cultural Tours
The Educational and Cultural tours aim to provide an opportunity for international visitors to gain insights into the Cambodian educational context, culture, and history as well as the city life and views of Phnom Penh. For first-time visitors to Cambodia, these tours will enhance your experience of the country and provide you with a better understanding of the educational context of the CamTESOL conference as well as the culture and lifestyles of the Cambodian people. Prior to presenting to a predominantly Cambodian audience, presenters at the conference can take this excellent opportunity to gain first-hand impressions of local schools and the local learning environment.
All tours are scheduled for the morning of Friday, 07th February 2020. Tours will commence promptly at 8:00 AM and finish after a complimentary lunch at 12:00 PM. Pick-up will take place at the Registration area, under the Main Conference Hall of the Institute of Technology Cambodia, with registration starting from 7:00 AM. There will be a maximum number of participants on each tour.
Each tour is ticketed at US$ 60, and participants may choose between the following organized tours:
Tour #1: City and Cultural Tour of Phnom Penh |
The Royal Palace (8:30-9:30AM) The Royal Palace was built in 1866 during the reign of King Norodom. Around the palace there are several classic Khmer-style buildings, notably the Silver Pagoda. The Silver Pagoda was built by King Norodom in 1892 and rebuilt by Norodom Sihanouk (1926-2012). The floor of the Silver Pagoda contains 5,000 silver tiles, each of them said to weigh 1 kilogram. There is also a collection of gifts from foreign heads of state. Look for the Napoleon III Pavilion, a gift to King Norodom in 1876. |
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National Museum (9:30-10:00AM)
The magnificent building of the National Museum of Cambodia was inaugurated in April 1920. George Grolier, (1887-1945) historian, curator and writer who encouraged the revival of traditional Cambodian Arts and Crafts designed the building. The Museum, now under the direction of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, houses a collection of Khmer cultural materials, including stone sculptures, bronzes, ceramics and ancient historical pottery. The building has a beautiful central courtyard and garden, a haven of peace on a hot day. There is also a small research library for the use of museum staff, researchers and students of the Royal University of Fine Arts. This library has a small but quite significant collection of books and journals in Khmer, French, and English, mostly books on art and archaeology, and museology.
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Cyclo Ride (10:00-10:45AM)
Cyclo is a Khmer traditional tricycle that was popularly used in Cambodia in the past. The tour will give first-time visitors to Cambodia a glance to some iconic views and cultural sites of Phnom Penh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The cyclo ride takes place along the riverfront passing by the Royal Palace toward the Independence Monument.
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Independence Monument (10:45-11:00AM)
An Angkorian-style tower, Independence Monument (VimeanEkareach in Khmer) was built in 1958 to symbolise Cambodian Independence Day after winning back independence from French colonial rule on 09 November 1953. With its spectacular unique style, the Independence Monument attracts many tourists every day. Moreover, the Independence Monument is also used as a memorial place dedicated to Cambodian patriots of the country.
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Tour #2: The Killing Field Tour
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Cheung Ek Genocide Museum, also known as the “Killing Field” is situated in Cheung Ek commune, about 15 km south-west of Phnom Penh. The Cheung Ek killing field was a place where more than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves after they were tortured at and transported from S-21. A 17- storey glass stupa was built to house 8000 skulls collected from the mass graves. Every year on 24 May a ceremony is held around this stupa to bring peace to the spirits of the deceased. There were killing fields countrywide during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-79), but Cheung Ek was believed to be the largest one and most prolific. This historic place stands as a cruel reminder of the atrocities inflicted on the masses of Cambodia. |
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Tour #3: Mekong River Cruise
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Boat Cruise (8:30-9:30AM) Cambodia is a land of water and the perfect place to experience an exciting boat trip. The Mekong River flows through the centre of the country. Right in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is where the Mekong gives birth to three other rivers including the Tonle Sap, Bassac River and the Lower Mekong that flows to the sea. The Tonle Sap is the only river in the world where the water current reverses between the rainy and dry seasons.
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Silk Island (9:30-10:30AM) A boat cruise through the four rivers area offers excellent views of Phnom Penh and the Royal Palace. Continuing the river cruise up the Mekong, we reach a silk village where we will stop to explore silk weaving and a temple.
Boat Cruise (Returning, 10:30-11:30AM) |
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Tour #4: Regional Teacher Training Centre and Public High School
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RTTC (9:00-10:00AM) RTTC-Takhmao is one of the six Regional Teacher Training Centres in Cambodia. It is in Takhmao Town of Kandal Province, about 25 minutes from Phnom Penh. Its main role is to prepare future lower secondary school teachers in an assigned subject such as Khmer Literature, Mathematics, Sciences, English language and Pedagogy. Each year RTTC-Takhmao trains around 500 trainees from the provinces of Kandal, Kompong Chhnang and Kompong Speu Province.
Public High School (10:00-11:00AM)
Whereas, Hun Sen Takhmao High School, located just in front of RTTC is a state school famous for producing high quality teaching and learning, which attract people from the neighbourhood, either near or far away, to enroll in this school. An Outstanding Student Contest is also an event the school takes pride in and is celebrated annually.
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