Kampong Cham Province | Hello Angkor

Wat Angkor Chey

Contemporary monastery and pagoda that retains an older wooden sala. Note the finials.

Also recorded as Wat Kampoul, it’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda located near the east bank of the Mekong River. It’s a little unusual. The monk seems keen on reinforcing that point of difference by constructing a monumental Buddha wrapped in a long stretching naga serpent overlooking a small basin. Cool. The large expanse of … Read more

Wat Samrith Chyaram

Contemporary monastery and pagoda located by the east bank of the Mekong River. The older of the two pagodas features a very special wood carved stencil pediment that is very rare to see in situ, behind the stencil is a special lead finish that produces the iridescent colour. Inside, beautiful murals line the central roof … Read more

Wat Por Vong (Srei Santhor)

Contemporary monastery and pagoda located by the east bank of the Mekong River.

Wat Thnoat Pkar Bo Prek (Srei Santhor)

Located near the east bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province, just northwest of Wat Svay Sach. It’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda, recently rebuilt by appearances. It uses the Phnom Penh style with added porches and lavish use of gold paint.

Wat Purthivorn (Srei Santhor)

Also recorded as Wat Ampil, it is located near the east bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province, just southeast of Wat Svay Sach. It is also one of the older pagodas in the area and noting the sandstone pieces gathered around the side of the pagoda, it may have a heritage … Read more

Wat Prek Pou (Srei Santhor)

Contemporary monastery and pagoda set on large grounds, featuring several older style chedi. Some speculate as to whether this may have been the location of an ancient capital/palace or at least a significant site in the 16th century. Some of the stupa/chedi is quite interesting, and at least one may correlate to that time, plus … Read more

Kampong Cham Provincial Museum

In central Kampong Cham, on the east side of the river and just south of the night market is the Department of Culture and Fine Arts(Khmer: មន្ទីរវប្បធម៌និងវិចិត្រសិល្បៈ) where they have a small storeroom packed with ancient remnants and artifacts discovered in the province. Whilst the collection is small, like many of the regional museums, the … Read more

Wat Amporvanoram (Srei Santhor)

Located near the east bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province, it’s also recorded as Wat Svay Sach Phnom. It is one of the older pagodas in Cambodia and features some wonderful traditional art and decorative features. The pagoda was recently restored and usually is never open, luck would be with us … Read more

Wat Prek Liv (Kampong Cham)

A contemporary monastery and pagoda located on the west bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province. Stored by the sala chan (dining hall) are two ornately carved wooden pediments from an older pagoda or monastery building. Update: after posting on social media we received some feedback from Bhikkhu Chan Kim Heang, who … Read more

Wat Rok Ar (Kampong Cham)

An older pagoda located on the west bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province, also recorded as Wat Rokar. On our last visit, Aug 2023, a new pagoda is under construction. Hopefully, the old pagoda will be preserved as it features some unique art and character, an example of which is the … Read more

Wat Sopheas

Also recorded as Wat Sopheas Raingsey, it’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda that houses numerous remnants of a 7th-century pre-Angkorian temple site/s. The remnants include lintels, an inscribed stele, and several sandstone plinths, all concreted onto a platform, perhaps for their own security. A pedestal and a lion’s head can also be seen nearby. Inscription … Read more