Wat Phnom

Phnom Penh's namesake, Wat Phnom, is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Cambodia.

a woman praying at a shrine in Phnom Penh

The temple at Wat Phnom dates back to the early 14th century, even before the Khmer Empire, located far away in the west of the country, fell. Today, Wat Phnom is still the tallest temple in all of Cambodia.

Wat Phnom

The history of Wat Phnom dates back hundreds of years, and is steeped in myth and legend. According to the stories, an old woman named Penh discovered a bronze Buddha sculpture inside a tree atop the hill. The people recognized it as a sacred site, and built a stone shrine to honor it.

The name of the city comes from the Khmer word for “hill”, Phnom, and the woman’s name, Penh.

the steps to the temple

The temple has been added to and re-built many times since its founding. Today, it is the tallest religious structure in the entire city, and the tall white chedi towers over the surrounding area from atop its hill.

I bought a ticket and began climbing the stairs to the temple.

inside Wat Phnom

It was very crowded that day, and I soon realized why. I just so happened to visit Wat Phnom on the first day of the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. It was the first day of the Year of the Pig. Hundreds of people from all across the city were visiting to pray and make merit at the temple, most of them wearing red for good luck.

donations and artifacts

Despite the crowds, I squeezed my way inside the main temple building.

Once inside, the incredible works of art painted on every wall and the ceiling took my breath away. Wat Phnom was once one of the most important royal temples in Cambodia, and it is painted to be fittingly celestial.

stunning ceiling of Wat Phnom

The remains of several members of the royal family are interred at Wat Phnom, and though the kingdom has fallen and been restored, the temple has stood through it all.

the main Buddhist shrine at Wat Phnom

The temple was packed. Dozens of people were crammed into the central prayer hall, lighting candles and incense, and making prayers and offerings to Buddha for fortune in the coming year. The temple was beautiful, but a little too crowded for me. I didn't end up staying too long.

local people praying

I have to say, I'm really impressed with Phnom Penh! It's a city that I never gave so much thought to, always preferring to visit Siem Reap. I might have to rethink that. It's a good-sized and fairly modern city, and is really quite convenient and comfortable to visit. It just might make a good visa run destination in the future! And, as it turns out, there's actually quite a lot to do!