Wat Kean Khleang

Also known as the Golden Temple and Mongkol Serei Kien Khleang Pagoda, it is located by the river some 15km north from central Phnom Penh.

The large grounds feature a large pagoda, often called the Golden Temple for its lavish use of gold paint, the original pagoda which at a guess must be getting on 50+ years, along with a unique shrine by the river encasing a tree, and even a small Chinese temple.

The “Golden Temple”

The original pagoda – which has been refurbished in recent years also received a generous amount of gold coating.

The riverside shrines – the shrine tucked away on the northern side of the grounds is quite interesting, featuring embossed Buddhist narratives on its walls and enclosing a tree that emerges through its roof. Peeking through the window there is also a stupa and sculpture inside, sadly there was no one around to find out more about its story. There is also a small Chinese temple with a path to the riverbank and a new shrine under construction also enclosing a tree.

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..