Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh the namesake and symbol of the capital city of Phnom Penh, sets prominently atop an artificial 88.5 ft (27 meter) hill (or 'Phnom') near the Tonle Sap River in the northeast section of the city. Legend relates that Daun (Grandmother or Lady) Penh, a wealthy widow, found a large koki tree in the river. She hoped to use it for a house, but inside a hollow of the tree she found four bronze statues of the Buddha (and possibly a stone statue of Vishnu); she erected a small shrine on the site to protect them. Eventually this became a sacred site and sanctuary where people would make wishes and pray for good luck and for success in school or business. Another account of the founding of the wat suggests King Ponhea Yat (r. 1405-67), built the sanctuary (vihara or vihear) when he moved his capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422. The prominent stupa immediately west of the sanctuary, or vihara (vihear) contains the ashes of the king.
- Phnom Penh
- 1Day
Other Travelstyle
Phnom Penh Hotels
- TeaHouse Asian Urban Hotel
- Villa Langka Boutique Hotel
- Rosewood Phnom Penh
- Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh
- Himawari Hotel Apartments
- SUN & MOON Urban Hotel
- NagaWorld Hotel & Entertainment
- Raffles Hotel Le Royal
- Queen Grand Boutique Hotel and Spa
- Hotel Cambodiana
- Samsara Villa (By Villa Langka)
- Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel
Phnom Penh Tours
- Private Car Transfer from Phnom Penh - Battambang - Phnom Penh
- Southern Cambodia Explorer 14Days-13Nights
- Complete Cambodia Explorer 28Days-27Nights
- Eastern Cambodia Explorer 8Days-7Nights
- Green Challenger 14Days-13Nights
- Wonderful Cambodia Explorer 21Days-20Nights
- Phnom Penh Airport Taxi (Airport - Hotel - Airport)
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields from Phnom Penh
- Phnom Penh Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Phnom Penh Highlights Tours
- Full-day Private Phnom Penh National Museum and Royal Palace Tour
- Beautifull Cambodia Explorer 21Days - 20Nights