Full-Day Discover Oudong Mountain-Former Capital City & Phnom Penh City Tours

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Udong Mountain

   Oudong in Cambodia: the stupa that was built in 2002 by King Norodom Sihanouk atop the hill of Oudong. New Preah Sakyamoni Chedi that houses a relic of Buddha. Oudong has been the capital city of Cambodia for nearly 250 years before the King moved to Phnom Penh in 1866. During that period of time, the territory of Cambodia remained coveted by the two powerful neighboring countries: Thailand and Vietnam. It passed in turn under the control of the one and the other. This was a black period in the history of the Khmer Kingdom. More than 20 Khmer Kings reigned in Oudong. In the mid-19th century, King Ang Duong attempted to extricate the country from poverty. He built canals, bridges and hundreds of pagodas in the region of Oudong. Fearing a definitive splitting of his country in favor of its two neighbors, the King requested the protection of France.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

2. Phnom Udong

   Climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below. Your guide will explain the history of the area and its buildings as well as the religious culture of the Cambodian people. Take your time to soak in the magnificent views over the plains below. After the short trekking enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut on the foot of the hill.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

3. Preah Sakyamoni Chedi

   On the slopes of the sacred hill, there are various shrines and statues of Buddha. They have been severely damaged or completely destroyed at the time of the Khmer Rouge in 1977. Subsequently, a few reconstructions have been made. At the foot of the hill, there is also a memorial containing bones of some victims of the Khmer Rouge. Chinthes protect access to the sacred hill. The Oudong hill is also a place where people from Phnom Penh like to come and picnic on weekends. Several picnic areas are located at the foot of the hill. In the region, not far from Tonle Sap, some villages specialize in making jewelry. This is a result of the past presence of the royal court in Oudong.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

4. Oudong Temple

   After discovered temples and stupas on the top of mountain. We will get to the ground and turn left at the large billboard, and at the very base of the mountain is a flurry of picnic huts. On weekends, hoards of people descend on the area from Phnom Penh to eat roast chicken, fish and palm fruit in the cool of the thick forest. At the base of the mountain near the path, a memorial containing bones of some of the hundreds of bodies exhumed from a large Khmer Rouge killing field here has been built testament to the area's bloody past.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

5. Wat Phnom

   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.

   40 minutes here · Admission included

6. Independence Monument

   An Angkorian style tower, the inimitable place in the whole city, located in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1958 to Sybilles Cambodian Independence Day after winning back their independence from the French protectorate on the 9th of November 1953. The monument attracts many tourists for its peculiar looking but unique style distinguishes it from all the buildings in the city. It is also used as a memorial place dedicated to the Cambodian’s patriot who died for the country. The Independence Monument (Vimean Ekareach) was inaugurated on November 9, 1962 to celebrate the independence from the French in 1953, but now also serving as a cenotaph to Cambodia?s war dead. The 20-meter high monument was designed by Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann, and is shaped in the form of a lotus, which also can be seen at Angkor and other Khmer historical sites.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

7. Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk

   The Status of our national hero King Father Norodom Sihanouk was completed construction in 2013, and inaugurated on October 11 in the same year. Then there were four days before the anniversary of his death. Late King Father Norodom Sihanouk passed away on October 15, 2012. Because of a heart attack after suffering from hypertension, diabetes and several forms of cancer while in Beijing on age of 89 years old.

   10 minutes here · Admission included

8. Royal Palace

   The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh was constructed over a century ago to serve as the residence of the King of Cambodia, his family and foreign dignitaries, as a venue for the performance of court ceremony and ritual and as a symbol of the Kingdom. It serves to this day as the Cambodian home of King Norodom Sihamoni and former King Norodom Sihanouk. The Royal Palace complex and attached 'Silver Pagoda' compound consist of several buildings, structures and gardens all located within 500x800 meter walled grounds overlooking a riverfront park. Marking the approach to the Palace, the high sculpted wall and golden spired Chanchhaya Pavilion stand distinctively against the riverfront skyline. Inside the Palace grounds, street sounds are silenced by the high walls and the various Royal buildings sit like ornate islands rising from the tranquil, manicured tropical gardens.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

9. Silver Pagoda

   The Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh sits next to the Royal Palace, separated by a walled walkway, but within the same larger walled compound. The Silver Pagoda's proper name is Wat Preah Keo Morokat, which means 'The Temple of the Emerald Buddha,' but has received the common moniker 'Silver Pagoda' after the solid silver floor tiles that adorn the temple building. The pagoda compound as a whole contains several structures and gardens, the primary building being the temple Wat Preah Keo Morokat and other structures including a library, various stupas, shrines, monuments, minor buildings and the galleries of the Reamker.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 12 travelers per booking

Operated by

Royal Phnom Penh Tours

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

7 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Discover Oudong Mountain-Former Capital City & Phnom Penh City Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.