Along with being the capital of Cambodia, and having numerous attractions, markets, and vibrant food culture, an oft-overlooked destination is the array of Buddhist temples (pagoda) in the city. Whether a pilgrim of the Buddhist faith or just someone interested in Cambodian culture, heritage, and architecture, the city’s pagodas have something unique to offer.
Intro to the buildings at a Cambodian Buddhist temple & monastery
- Wat = the entire grounds including all buildings in this list, you may call it a monastery.
- Vihear/pagoda = the main temple building for worshipping Buddha and the demarcated space for rituals. They are all unique but similar in having a rectangular layout, with large columns internally and externally, and Buddha located at the western end and facing east (as he did on enlightenment). Murals are commonplace, often depicting the life of Buddha and the Khmer Reamker, mostly on the internal walls and ceiling, and sometimes also externally.
- Salaa Chan = dining hall
- Salaa Thommatsophie = meeting hall
- Kot = monks’ quarters
- Bannalay = library
- Pachaa = crematorium
- Chedi/stupa = mostly contain the cremated remains of venerable monks, royalty, or those that have paid for the burial site. Some may contain relics and artifacts of significance.
- Seima/Sima = placed on the axes and corners of Buddhist terraces to define the sacred platform.
Tips for visiting a Wat
- Remove your shoes and hat when entering any building, especially when entering the pagoda
- Dress respectfully, covering shoulders and covering down to the knees
- Be respectful of events that may be taking place
- Don’t make loud noise
- Leave a donation if you can
Phnom Penh Pagoda Map
The central pagodas
Wat Phnom – is a Buddhist temple (Wat) that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh, a historical site in the record of Khmer national identity. The pagoda is named after grandmother “Doun Penh” who discovered four sacred statues in the 14th century, which, in turn, had placed at this location and had a hermitage built.
Wat Preah Keo (The Silver Pagoda) – the pagoda of the Royal Palace was originally constructed in 1892 and lavishly rebuilt in the form we see today in 1962. It houses a vast array of relics including beautiful golden statues of the Buddha, some over 100 years old, along with the famed Emerald Buddha. The inner walls are adorned with murals of the Reamker.
Wat Ounalom – also recorded as Wat Unnalom, and located in central Phnom Penh just north of the Royal Palace. It is one of the five original pagodas of the city dating back to the 15th century along with being the seat of the Mahanikaya sect of Theravada Buddhism in Cambodia. Moreover, it features a collection of relics, and the Chedi at the rear of the site conceals an ancient Angkorian-era temple.
Wat Botum – located in central Phnom Penh and near the Royal Palace, originally established by King Ponhea Yat and named Wat Khpop Ta Yang, the site has a history dating back to the 15th century (at least) and is reportedly named after the lotus pond that once existed at the site, there are two pagodas very near each other here, Wat Botum and Wat Botumvatey. The site features a grand stupa that is over 100 years old and is fronted by the large and popular Wat Botum Park
Wat Langka – pre-dating the 15th century and home monks from Ceylon (today Sri Lanka, and the origin of Theravadin Buddhism in that era). Important scriptures were held here during the reign of Ponhea Yat and the monastery may have to moved to its current position today under the reign of Norodom.
Wat Saravan – the pagoda here features some beautiful old murals lining its inner walls. The site has its origins back in the mid-15th century while the pagoda we see today dates to the late 19th century and was restored in the mid-20th century.
Interesting pagodas outside the city center
The monastery grounds, or Wat, are often built upon sites that date back to ancient times, and some examples of that where remnants of the old temple site are still to be seen. The prime example of that is Wat Ounalom, mentioned earlier, which features a Chedi that has been built around what some believe may have originally been an Angkorian-era temple, and there are many other sites where ancient remains can still be seen, highlights of which I’ll note below (also see Ancient Temples near Phnom Penh)
Wat Preah Theat is a beautiful monastery with double pagodas, one featuring a stupa inside that dates back at least 100 years (likely more). The site also features a large collection of remnants from pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and post-Angkorian use.
Wat Cheung Aek also features a collection of remnants from an ancient temple site and was also the location where an inscribed stele was found.
Wat Krang Tnung is another site where ancient remnants were found and are still surrounded by the moat of the original ancient temple site
Wat Chhouk Va is partially surrounded by a moat and one of its small shrines houses a shale piece that appears to be a sacred water spout belonging to an ancient site. The site also features several old and very characterful stupa.
Wat Phneat Sampily is a beautiful pagoda that features a unique multi-spired stupa and two smaller stupa dating well over 100 years old while the site itself is believed to have a history of more than 400 years.
Wat Chum is another ancient site where a decorated lintel was found that dates back to the 7-8th century. It’s a very beautiful monastery featuring several contemporary statues including a massive reclining Buddha and the Five Buddhas.
Wat Kean Khleang – also known as the Golden Pagoda, is famed for its lavish use of gold paint covering the pagoda and the prayer hall.
Wat Botum Kong – located on the bank of the river offering views of Phnom Penh. The pagoda has some embossed murals of Buddhist narratives and near the river, there is an old stupa that has become intertwined with the roots of a tree.
Wat Pothi Pruk – located on the bank of the Mekong River the site features an old and new pagoda, the old pagoda is very charismatic featuring ornate wooden pediments on the roof and embossed pediment design above the doors and demarcated with beautifully carved sema stones.
Wat Sovan Botum & Wat Chambak Meas are located opposite each other, the latter features an older pagoda that is now under restoration while the former features a giant Buddha and a reclining Buddha.
Wat Phnom Reap & Wat Sowann Thamareach located on the Phnom Penh/Kandal border near Phnom Baset, these two monasteries that feature contemporary reproductions of Angkorian-era temples.