Phnom Penh Sights

Wat Phnom

#5 of 216 things to do in Phnom Penh

#5 of 216 things to do in Phnom Penh

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: temple

Not good for: Ecotourists, ecofriendly, ecotourism

  • Address
    • Norodom Blvd
  • Price
    • admission US$1
  • Hours
    • 06:00-18:00

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Lonely Planet review for Wat Phnom

Set on top of a 27m-high tree-covered knoll, Wat Phnom is on the only ‘hill’ in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha deposited here by the waters of the Mekong River and discovered by Madame Penh. The main entrance to Wat Phnom is via the grand eastern staircase, which is guarded by lions and naga (mythical serpent) balustrades.

 

Traveller reviews for Wat Phnom (1)

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    Help to support a good cause at the Wat Phnom and Save Sambo

    CarmelHuber recommends this,

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    I visited Phnom Penh in 2009 and was taken on a wonderful tour afternoon around the city’s temples and markets by a local Cambodian guide. The last spot on our tour, after curiously buying lots of bananas and lychees (my guide was deaf and so we largely communicated with enthusiastic thumbs/hands/arm-waving), was to the Wat Phnom.

    Immediately the bananas made sense. Standing there was a beautiful elephant, standing as proud and as tall as only elephants can. I spent ten minutes feeding her bananas and stroking her side whilst my guide snapped away on the camera.

    This elephant, named Sambo, has been stood at the Wat Phnom for years, as part of a daily 4km trek around the hot, largely concrete city. Sambo, who should be considered a relic of Cambodia’s past (both peaceful and troubled, having survived the Khmer Rouge) has now been reduced to a beer-slogan covered money making machine, lugging around a heavy wooden chair, and heavy tourists in the brutal Cambodian heat.

    Sambo is 51 years old and her owner has been advised by a renowned vet that she is ill and needs to be retired. Her feet are incredibly infected and she finds it very hard to walk – you can see her swinging her right foot in particular to keep the weight off a deep abscess.

    Please support an international campaign to Save Sambo and do not feed her or take pictures and PLEASE do not ride her; any attention or support we show to her owner decreases our chances of retiring her. Please visit www.earsasia.org for more details.

    Good for: temple

    Not good for: Ecotourists, ecofriendly, ecotourism

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