The Wat Ounalom is the oldest Buddhist foundation in Phnom Penh and the headquarters of the Maha Nikaya order, the principal school of Cambodian Theravada Buddhism. Located on Sothearos Boulevard, approximately 200 meters north of the Royal Palace, the complex comprises 44 buildings with curved red and gold roofs, along the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.

Why Visit Wat Ounalom

Unlike the temple-museums of Angkor, Wat Ounalom is a living monastery: you will encounter saffron-robed monks who reside here, witness ceremonies, and understand the institutional role of Buddhism in contemporary Cambodge. The site also embodies a dramatic chapter of twentieth-century Khmer history, with several relics that survived destruction under the Pol Pot regime.

The visit works well alongside the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodge, both located just a few hundred meters away.

History of the Monastery

Wat Ounalom was founded in the 15th century, between 1442 and 1443. It quickly became the institutional center of the Maha Nikaya order and one of Phnom Penh's oldest monasteries.

In 1975, when the Khmer Rouge captured the city, the wat was largely destroyed. Its monks were expelled or executed, and the regime systematically attacked religious symbols. After the regime fell in 1979, the monastery was rebuilt and temporarily served as the provisional headquarters of the Buddhist Institute, whose library of over 30,000 volumes housed part of its collections here. This library has since been relocated to Sihanouk Boulevard.

According to local sources, the monastery once housed up to 500 monks before 1975. The smaller current community continues monastic teachings and training.

What to See on Site

The Main Building and Its Floors

The central building can be visited across three levels. On the second floor stands the statue of Huot Tat, the fourth patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism, killed under the Pol Pot regime. The Khmer Rouge had thrown the statue into the Mekong River as a symbolic end to Buddhism in Cambodge; it was recovered from the river in 1979 and reinstalled in the wat.

On the third floor, a staircase leads to a small marble statue of Buddha, shattered by the Khmer Rouge and painstakingly reconstructed. The building's walls feature paintings and statues depicting the life of Buddha.

The Eyebrow Hair Stupa

Behind the main building, a stupa houses the temple's most singular relic: a hair (or eyebrow) said to have belonged to Buddha. It is this relic that gives the wat its name ("ounalom" refers to the hair between the eyebrows in Buddhist iconography).

Gardens and Grounds

The complex's 44 buildings are arranged around well-maintained gardens, where novices, monks, and devotees gather to leave offerings. From the upper floors, views extend across the Tonlé Sap–Mekong confluence.

Practical Information

• Address: Sothearos Boulevard, 200 m north of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh.
• Hours: open daily, early morning through early evening. Visit in the morning to hear the monks chanting.
• Admission: free entry. A donation toward the temple's upkeep is appreciated.
• Recommended Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour is sufficient to tour the three floors and the rear stupa.
• Dress Code: shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes before entering buildings.
• Photography: permitted on the grounds; avoid photographing inside prayer halls without asking.

When to Visit

The dry season, from November to March, offers the best conditions for visiting Phnom Penh: mild temperatures and low humidity. April to May is extremely hot, and the monsoon from June to October brings brief but heavy showers. Buddhist festivals, particularly the Khmer New Year (mid-April) and the Water Festival (Bon Om Touk, October-November), bring increased crowds and special ceremonies at the monastery.

How to Get There

Wat Ounalom is in central Phnom Penh, on the west bank, along Sisowath Quay. From most downtown hotels, it is accessible:

• on foot from the Royal Palace and National Museum area (5 to 10 minutes);
• by tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi (PassApp, Grab) from Boeung Keng Kang or Daun Penh, 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic;
• by bicycle along the riverfront, pleasant in early morning.

Nearby Attractions

• The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, 200 m to the south.
• The National Museum of Cambodge and its collection of Khmer sculptures, just behind the palace.
• The Central Market and the Tonlé Sap promenade, ideal in late afternoon.
• To extend your journey, the Bayon temple at Angkor offers another major facet of Khmer Buddhism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Including Wat Ounalom in Your Journey

Wat Ounalom fits easily into a day exploring central Phnom Penh, alongside the Royal Palace and National Museum. To build a comprehensive itinerary across the country, explore our curated Cambodge travel ideas.