Sights · Our pick in Phnom Penh
Wat Phnom
The city’s namesake
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Marcin Konsek · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom stands on a small wooded hill at the north end of the old centre. According to the founding legend, a woman called Penh enshrined Buddha statues she found in the river on this hill, the phnom, which gave the city its name. Dress respectfully and remove your shoes inside the shrine.
Why it's on our list
- The founding legend
- A park around the hill
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Wat Phnom before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Wat Phnom, as the crow flies.
- Raffles Hotel Le Royal500 m7 min walk
- Rosewood Phnom Penh550 m7 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Wat Phnom are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest railway station
- Phnom Penh Railway StationRail800 m10 min walk
Key sights
- The Central Market750 mWalk 10 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- The National Museum1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- The Royal Palace1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 10 min
- The Independence Monument2.3 kmWalk 28 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Techo International Airport24 kmCar or taxi 84 min
Railway
- Phnom Penh Railway Station800 mWalk 10 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min