Phnom Oudong dates from the early 7th century and was the old capital of Cambodia (1618 - 1866) before the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. It is now the official resting place of the most sacred of Buddha's bones possessed by Cambodia. Originally stored at the monument in front of the railway station in Phnom Penh and later Wat Phnom, the bone has had a new temple built top the mountain and is now the tallest one of three temples that exist there.
After a 10 to 20 minute climb from the base of the mountain you will be able to witness a wonderful view down to the surrounding Wats, rice fields and floodplains. The music from the Wats often drift upwards from below to add some magic to this place.
You can then stroll between the peaks of the mountain to behol
d the majestic temples and stupas present there and that are steeped in Cambodian history. One of the most famous stories is the one which surrounds the old Chinese Buddha temple which now lays in a stage of disrepair on the southern most peak.
This temple contains a large statue of Buddha built by the Chinese. Ordinarily a statue of Buddha is built to face the east to greet the rising sun, in the case of this Buddha it was built to face China. It is thought that this was to move the power of a sleeping dragon that lies within the mountain over to China.
| City: | Phnom Penh , Cambodia |
| Price: | free |
| Open time: | daytime |
| How to get there: | From The Independence Monument head north toward Wat Phnom. Go around Wat Phnom and continue north until you reach the roundabout. Turn a sharp right - not to go over the Japanese bridge, but underneath. When you get to the river turn left and head north along National Road No. 5. Head straight for approximately one hour then turn left. |
