Wat Ounalom
Wat Ounalom
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,516 within 3 miles
Attractions
137 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
490 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
208
Average
118
Poor
7
Terrible
7
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,575 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
We came here twice to see the temple during this year’s water festival. Unfortunately the opening hours were modified so we could not visit the first time due to some security reason (per the guard). We did come back when it was even busier on the waterfront and was surprised to see it open. We finally got to see the oldest and most important Buddhist temple due to its designation as the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism in PP. The head and many other monks reside on this sprawling campus.
Inside was golden and ornate including the chandelier hanging above the altar. More golden statues were in the back behind glass cases on the left (one of the five statues was of a patriarch killed by the Khmer Rouge, thrown in the river and later recovered) and right (a patriarch with royal family lineage).
Outside there were a few more stupas one of which contained an eyebrow hair from Buddha.
If you were curious about what a banana tree looks like go around the back of the main temple and go to the gated collection of stupas.
Inside was golden and ornate including the chandelier hanging above the altar. More golden statues were in the back behind glass cases on the left (one of the five statues was of a patriarch killed by the Khmer Rouge, thrown in the river and later recovered) and right (a patriarch with royal family lineage).
Outside there were a few more stupas one of which contained an eyebrow hair from Buddha.
If you were curious about what a banana tree looks like go around the back of the main temple and go to the gated collection of stupas.
Written 26 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillip S
14 contributions
Aug 2019
I lived in Phnom Penh 2002-2017 and taught English informally at the dormitories. House 7 was renovated but House 45 was a colonial relic. This Wat covers a city block. The monks and students are friendly and will show you around. They may even invite you to lunch. "Ounalom" is a hair of Buddha relic in a stupa on the grounds.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz T 14
Cheyenne, WY3,635 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Founded in the 15th century, but massively damaged by the Khmer Rouge during their rule (1975 to 1979), the complex was subsequently renovated and was the seat of the Buddhist Institute until 1999.
Today, this complex is also the seat of the Buddhist Patriarch. But it is not just the very tasteful furnishings of this property that make this Wat so magnificent. What is particularly impressive is the peace and atmosphere that lie over this very spacious complex with its numerous sacred buildings.
The reason for this peace is probably the extensive abstinence that keeps tour groups or other people who are only interested in sensational top sights from visiting. But perhaps it is just the magnificent buildings of the king and other state institutions that are not far away that 'suck away' visitors here.
Nevertheless, we were lucky because we were the only visitors here. We were able to enjoy this atmosphere to the fullest.
Today, this complex is also the seat of the Buddhist Patriarch. But it is not just the very tasteful furnishings of this property that make this Wat so magnificent. What is particularly impressive is the peace and atmosphere that lie over this very spacious complex with its numerous sacred buildings.
The reason for this peace is probably the extensive abstinence that keeps tour groups or other people who are only interested in sensational top sights from visiting. But perhaps it is just the magnificent buildings of the king and other state institutions that are not far away that 'suck away' visitors here.
Nevertheless, we were lucky because we were the only visitors here. We were able to enjoy this atmosphere to the fullest.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd R
New York City, NY37 contributions
Jan 2023
This is a very interesting Temple. It is one of the original monasteries in Phnom Penh and built in 1422. It is a location where Buddhist Monks receive their training. The buildings are interesting to look and is definitely worth walking through. It will take you between 30-60 minutes to see the whole place (depending on in the Temple is open)
Written 3 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rayong, Thailand9,482 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Wat Ounalom is the seat of the Buddhist patriarch of Cambodia and is thought to be the oldest Buddhist foundation in Phnom Penh, parts of it dating back to the 15th century.
An old wooden sign at the entrance to the main temple welcomes foreigners as well as locals for "quiet meditation".
From the street, the temple complex forms a colourful streetscape facing the Mekong River.
An old wooden sign at the entrance to the main temple welcomes foreigners as well as locals for "quiet meditation".
From the street, the temple complex forms a colourful streetscape facing the Mekong River.
Written 9 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonder A
Singapore421 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Founded in 1443 AD, Wat Ounalom is the center of Cambodian Buddhism. Located on Sisoulath Quay, near the Royal Palace of Cambodia, the monument Buddhist compound features elaborate stupas and a monastry.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deepak
Suva, Fiji416 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
One of, if not the oldest Buddhist temples in Phnom Penh. Not usually busy so good to take your time to visit if you do make a stop over here.
Written 20 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,280 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We dropped into see Wat Ounalom as it’s located basically very close to the Royal Palace which we had just visited. It’s the headquarters for Cambodian Buddhism. It’s here that the top monk resides. In its earlier days it was used as a library for the Buddhist institute. Unfortunately the library was destroyed with other buildings in the Khmer Rouge regime.
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John F
Retford, UK647 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
A large Wat in the town centre. We wondered through as a short cut from our hotel towards the centre and found it enchanting. It is a working, worshiping and living area for the monks who you'll meet there. There are temples and stupas and things going on. There is no entrance fee and the gates seem to be open throughout the day.
Written 13 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jickky
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia255 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
This temple near to sisowath quay, in between royal palace & phnom penh night market. Can pay a visit since this temple been destroyed during khmer rouge but has been restored. No entrance fees & very quiet place, not much of visitors during my visit.
Written 20 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there any admission fee required for foreign visitors?
Written 17 February 2015
No, you can just walk in from one of the two entrances...
Written 17 February 2015
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing