Wat Mechrey

Located in the floodplains of the Tonle Sap Lake, along a canal that leads north off the Sangker River, Wat Mechrey is one of the more characterful and unique pagodas in the wider Siem Reap area. The Pagoda itself is not ancient, perhaps dating the the mid-late 1900s, while it does carry some remnants of an ancient Angkorian-era temple, notably two sandstone pedestals. The pagoda also features embossed devata/Apsara adorning its outer walls and some beautiful art pieces contemporary to its construction.

Nearby the pagoda is one of Siem Reap’s famed floating villages and both are a feature of tours offered by boats that depart from a pier some 6km north of the pagoda, more about Mechrey Floating Village here.

It’s another great place to also enjoy the sunrise or sunset, and watch the daily life unfold.

Getting there

You can take a car, tuk-tuk, or moto from Siem Reap and head west along the good sealed road past Promar village after which heading south to the Mechrey Pier. The pier is located here which can be accessed easily by the road heading past Wat Don Chrom.

From the pier, you can hire a small boat capable of seating several people with a driver for around $19 and up, see here for more details.

During the dry season, late January through to March/April you can take a dirt trail that runs alongside the river to the pagoda. This trail is flooded the rest of the year with access only by boat.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..