National Library

Built in 1924, the low but graceful building that houses the national library on elegant Street 92 is off the radar for most visitors to Phnomh Penh.

The site was used as a piggery during the brief but devastating Khmer Rouge period, when books were lit aflame and tossed into the street like garbage.

Although still not at its pre-Khmer Rouge glory, several donations over the years have restocked many of the library's shelves with an eclectic mix of titles in Khmer, English, French and German. You'll find laughably out of place books like "Poland's Security Policy 1989-2000" and a 1936 series on American jurisprudence, but a number of children's books can be found (could come in handy) along with an interesting series of monthly newsletters put out by former king Norodom Sihanouk (a score for Cambodia history buffs).

Content aside, the library is a lovely old piece of architecture with beautiful wood index filing cabinets complete with brass handles and Laurel wreaths carved into the large main library desk.

In depth review