Wat Phnom (Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut)

Of course there’s a huge array of temples to visit in Phnom Penh, but we opted to visit Wat Phnom. Not because it’s located in the middle of a busy roundabout and is considered the central point of Phnom Penh, but because it’s the tallest structure in the city.

It was originally built in 1372 and it’s tallest point is twenty-seven meters high, but it has been rebuilt several times during the 19th century, with the most recent construction happening in 1926.

The walls and ceilings are covered with murals, many featuring stories of the Buddha’s reincarnations before his enlightenment.

The temple’s interior has a central alter with a large bronze seated Buddha with a collection of smaller Buddhas below. While we where there this temple attracted a constant stream of worshippers offering flowers and lighting candles, as well as a few westerners.

After visiting the temple you can take a 360 degree walk around the stupa before braving the traffic to go to your next destination.

Location of Wat Phnom

We walked from our hotel up the Tonle Sap River walk to reach Wat Phnom. It’s just to the north of the Night market and the Giant Ibis Bus Terminal.

Other key sightseeing opportunities in Phnom Penh

Sightseeing at the Royal Palace

We had also hoped to visit the Royal Palace, which was right around the corner from our hotel, but it was closed. It has strange opening hours with a 3 1/2 hour lunch break stretching from 11:00 until 14:30. It is best to view the Palace in the morning session (which starts from 7:30) before the heat of the day takes its toll. It takes about two hours to fully explore this palace, so plan accordingly.

You can find out more about this Phnom Penh Highlight on these websites:

• www.canbypublications.com/royalpalace
• www.tourismcambodia.com/royal-palace

Sightseeing at the National Museum

The National Museum of Cambodia is housed in an traditional terra-cotta structure built between 1917-20, and is located just north of the Royal Palace. It is open daily from 8:00am to 05:00 pm; entry is $10. The collection spans the pre-Angkor period through to the twentieth century and is housed in large open air pavilions, but no photographs of the building interiors are allowed. The central courtyard is an ideal spot to take a meditative break.

Open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and located on Street 13 at Street 178, Daun Penh district of Phnom Penh

• Official Cambodia Museum website
• Lurve the Life writes about the National Museum

Sightseeing at the Independence Monument

The Independence monument was built in 1958 to symbolize Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Independence is marked in Cambodia o­n the 9th November. The monument doubles as a memorial to Cambodian patriots who died for their country. Independence Monument is located on Street 274 (Sihanouk Blvd.) in the Daun Penh District.

Other Sightseeing places in Phnom Penh I’ve written about:

• Touring S-21 Security Prison (Tuol Sleng Museum)
• A reflective visit to The Killing Fields
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s Markets
• A visit to Phnom Penh’s Central Market

Flashpacking through Cambodia

Flashpacking through Cambodia: For Baby Boomers on a Budget is my latest Roving Jay travel guide full of travel tips, advice, and sample itineraries for flash packers who want the back packing experience without foregoing some of life’s creature comforts – like a comfortable bed, a hot shower, free wi-fi, and somewhere to plug your electric toothbrush in.

I spent almost three months backpacking around Cambodia in 2017/2018 to research this travel guide, and I share insights and first hand knowledge of tourist traps and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. We ate street food, drank 50c beers, and travelled by train, bus, minivan and tuktuk to identify the best ways to get from A to B.

If you’d like to receive a free Review Copy ahead of the general public release, please click here.

Here’s my Cambodia posts on this blog:

• Cambodia Visa and Arrival at Siem Reap Airport
• Cambodia: How to Avoid the Crowds at Angkor Wat
• Filling up your scooter in Cambodia
• The Best Tasting Street Food in Siem Reap
• Angkor Wat at Dawn: Is it worth it?
• Come face to face with Angkor Thom’s Bayon
• Good vs. Evil at Angkor Thom’s Impressive Southern Gate
• The Baphuon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants at Angkor Thom
• Visiting Siem Reap’s War Museum
• Where to Stay in Siem Reap
• Visiting Siem Reap’s Markets
• Give your taste buds a disco at Siem Reap Night Market
• Responsible Tourism at Joe to Go in Siem Reap
• What to See and Do in Siem Reap
• Which Siem Reap Floating Village should you visit?
• Memorable Boat Trip from Siem Reap to Battambang
• Libations and Bric-a-Brac tempt our purse strings in Battambang
• Vegetable Amok at About the World Restaurant in Battambang
• Cooking Classes at Nary’s Kitchen Battambang
• Pomme Bar, Restaurant and Hostel, at the Core of the new Battambang
• An educational trip around Battambang’s Central Market
• Sightseeing and things to do in Battambang Cambodia
• Bayon VIP Bus from Battambang to Phnom Penh Cambodia
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s 172nd Street in the dark
• The challenge of wandering Phnom Penh’s streets
• A visit to Phnom Penh’s Central Market
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s Markets
• Phnom Penh Photo Diary
• Tops sights to see in Phnom Penh
• Touring S-21 Security Prison (Tuol Sleng Museum Phnom Penh)
• A reflective visit to The Killing Fields
• Taking a train from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
• The majesty of Otres Beach sunsets
• Our Workaway Gig at Otres Beach Market Cambodia
• Working Away to make Cambodian Bagels
• Cambodia Pastry Wars: The Battle of the Quiche
• Our Cambodia workaway gig renovating a market stall
• Unwind on Cambodia’s Koh Ta Kiev Island
• Cambodian Beach Massage and Grilled Seafood
• Building Community during our Cambodian Workaway
• Gecko Village in Kampot Cambodia – a Photo Essay
• Christmas Eve in Kampot
• more coming