Wat Phnom Daun Penh is a Buddhist temple on a tree-covered hill in central Phnom Penh, at ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ. The city takes its name from the temple and the legend of Daun Penh, who is said to have found Buddha statues in a river and built a shrine for them. Walk through the shaded park, climb to the temple and look for the large clock and fruit bats in the trees. Cambodian and Chinese influences appear in the temple’s decorations. The park is a calm place to pause amid city traffic.
The hill and the city’s name
Wat Phnom sits on an artificial hill in central Phnom Penh. The Khmer word “phnom” means hill, and the temple is closely tied to the capital’s name.
According to the founding legend, Daun Penh found four Buddha statues in a tree carried by floodwaters. She raised a hill and built a shrine to house them. The story links the temple with the name Phnom Penh, often translated as “Penh’s hill.” Accounts differ on some details of the legend, but the connection between Daun Penh, the hill and the city’s name is central to the site’s history.
The temple and its grounds
The temple complex combines Cambodian and Chinese architectural influences, with ornate decoration across its sacred buildings. A walk around the hill gives you different views of the temple and its setting among trees and plants. The site also has shaded places to sit, so you can take a break in the park before or after visiting the temple.
Look out for the large clock, which displays the time, and for fruit bats hanging in the trees. A craft centre on the grounds sells locally made souvenirs. The temple is a working place of worship as well as a historic landmark; move quietly and treat people praying with courtesy.
Planning a visit
The temple is open daily from 7am to 7pm. The park is free to enter, while the temple entrance fee is listed as US$1 for foreign visitors. Tickets can be bought at the gate; advance tickets are recommended in the site information.
Early morning and late afternoon are cooler times to walk around the hill. A small number of steps lead up to the temple, but you can also explore the park and the base of the hill without climbing. Allow time to look around the grounds, pause in the shade and visit the craft centre.
FAQ
Where is Wat Phnom Daun Penh?
It is on a hill in central Phnom Penh, at ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ.
How much does it cost to enter Wat Phnom?
The park is free to walk around. The temple entrance fee is listed as US$1 for foreign visitors.
What is Wat Phnom known for?
The temple is linked to the legend of Daun Penh and the origin of Phnom Penh’s name. The hilltop complex also has decorated buildings, a large clock and fruit bats in the surrounding trees.
When is the best time to visit Wat Phnom?
Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
