Cambrew Brewery
Cambrew Brewery brews Angkor and Bayon beers and Pepsi products. It was constructed in 1966 and operated by the government from 1967-75 brewing beers by the same name. The brewery was refurbished and pro-duction was reinstituted in 1991. Brewery tours are reportedly available upon presentation of a tour card available through local Angkor Beer distributors. Route #4 at the road junction on Sihanoukville Mountain. Vimean Tao Meas, ‘Golden Lions Monument’ The Golden Lion
Monument is a prominent
landmark located in the middle of the traffic circle between Sokha and Ochheuteal beaches. The monument was constructed in 1996. The gardens around the monument have become a popular evening hangout for the locals and the whole area around the traffic circle is bustling with restau-rants, bars, spas and other businesses.
Independence Square
The Independence Square consists of an open meet- ing hall, the Independence Monument (Vimean
Ekareach), a large shrine and park area. The Independence Monument was constructed in 1985 and
honors the independence and war dead of Cambodia.
This 132m peak offers a spectacular view of the city, the islands and the beaches from Otres to the port. Take Route 4 about 2.5km north of town. Make a right turn at the brewery and follow the road up the hill, about 200m past the Wat Leu pagoda. Park at the end of the road and walk out onto the rocks. Excellent sunset spot. St. Michael’s Church Named after the patron saint of sailors, was con-
structed in 1962. Designed by French missionary Father Ahadobery and renowned Cambodian archi-
tect Vann Molyvann. Note the 'ship's sail' brickwork at the front and the boats on the sides. The church served local Catholics until 1975 when the Khmer Rouge came to power. From 1975-79 it was used as a prison, and after 1979 as storage until it reopened in 1993. It is currently active. St Michael's is one of small handful of churches in Cambodia that survived the
Khmer Rouge. Most others, including the Cathedral in Phnom Penh were destroyed.
The Independence Hotel
The Independence Hotel, located on the point between Victory and Independence beaches, was
Sihanoukville’s premiere accommodation in the 1960’s. It was built in 1963 or 1964 during the heyday of Sihanoukville’s early development, and was finally abandoned when the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975. The hotel opened briefly again during UNTAC’s stay in the early 1990’s. In 2004 renovation work began on the hotel. Completed two year later the Independence Hotel has been fully and carefully restored to its former opulence and reopened as modern upscale resort hotel.
Wat Chotynieng
Wat Chotynieng (aka Wat Leu, ‘upper wat’) overlooks
town from the top of Sihanoukville Mountain. Paintings
in the vihear depict the life of Buddha. At the rear are
portraits of the founder, Prince Junot, and Lok Om
(left), the leader of the Buddhist community in this area
until his death in 1999. In front of the chapel is a statue
of Lok Om, erected in 1996.
Wat Utynieng
Wat Utynieng (aka Wat Krom meaning ‘lower wat’) sits
on a small hill on Santipheap St. Picturesque grounds
with statues depicting Buddhist lore and a large reclin-
ing Buddha behind the vihear overlooking the town and
ocean Also quite unique, this wat contains a building
dedicated solely to Ya-Mao, a local deity.
Victory Monument
The Victory Monument on the road just off Victory Beach
at the base of Victory Hill (aka Weather Station Hill,)
lends its name to the beach and the hill. The monument
was built in 1985 to symbolize Cambodia’s friendship
with Vietnam and the 1979 Vietnamese-assisted victory
over the Khmer Rouge. One of these monuments can
be found in almost every major town in Cambodia.
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