The Mystic Wat Phnom

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People believe that Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh is so powerful that anyone who makes a wish here will have it granted. Many come flocking to this temple to see this belief come true and others get drawn merely by the sense of mysticism that this temple holds.

Wat Phnom is situated on a tree-covered hill about 30m high in the northeast of the city. The history of this temple has a very interesting legend….

The legend goes that…Lady Penh found four Buddha statues in a koki tree floating on the Mekong River. She built a hill in 1372 and a placed a shrine above this to house the valued artifacts. King Ponhea Yat came in 1434 and constructed the city which he called Phnom Penh.

Since then, the shrine has been rebuilt many times in 1434, 1806, 1894, and most recently in 1926. Each new reconstruction was more spectacular than the previous one.

There is an altar for Yeay Penh (grandmother Penh) kept between the stupa and the Vihear. The inhabitants of Phnom Penh consider her as a powerful protective spirit of the town. They request for her help for any major decisions.

There is a large stupa which contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1476) and his royal family. There is a Buddha statue, from the Angkorean period inside the stupa.

Tourist Info:

• Wat Phnom is open from 7 a.m to 5.30 p.m daily.


• There is a $1 entry fee. You can buy the ticket downstairs.


• Tourists can take pictures inside the temple without disturbing the devotees


• Warning: The steps up to Wat Phnom are lined with beggars, hustlers and even policemen who try to extort money from foreign visitors. Just ignore them. 

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Uniqueness of Wat Phnom

Many people come here to pray for protection or healing. They bring lotus flowers as offerings for prayers answered. There is a small zoo at the bottom of the hill.

When a person’s wish is granted, he or she returns to make the offering (which includes jasmine flowers or bananas) promised when the request was made.

A bit to the north of the vihara (temple sanctuary) and below it is an eclectic shrine, which is dedicated to the genie Preah Chau. The genie was especially revered by the Vietnamese.

Down the hill from the shrine there is a royal stupa sprouting full-size trees from its roof.  The roots of these trees are holding the bricks together in their net-like grip, but when the trees die the tower will slowly crumble!…all these uniqueness that define the Wat Phnom makes it a must visit site for all those heading to the mystic land – Cambodia.