Wat Ounalom: The Spiritual Heart of Phnom Penh

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Discover Wat Ounalom Monastery in Phnom Penh: a serene sanctuary, the heart of Cambodian Buddhism, and home to a sacred relic of the Buddha.

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Wat Ounalom Monastery

Wat Ounalom, one of Phnom Penh's oldest and most significant monasteries, stands as the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. Founded in 1443, it houses a revered relic, an eyebrow hair of the Buddha, and serves as a center for learning, meditation, and spiritual practice.

A brief summary to Wat Ounalom Monastery

Cambodia Samdach Sothearos Boulevard Phnom Penh, Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh, Khan Doun Penh, 12206, KH

Local tips

Dress respectfully, covering shoulders and knees, as Wat Ounalom is an active religious site.
Take your shoes off before entering temple buildings.
Be mindful of monks; women should not touch them, and everyone should bow slightly in their presence.
Visit early in the morning for a peaceful experience and to witness the monks' morning rituals.
Explore the library to see ancient texts and learn about Buddhist knowledge.

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Getting There

Walking

Wat Ounalom is located on Samdach Sothearos Boulevard in Phnom Penh, a short walk from many central attractions. From the National Museum, walk north along Street 13, then turn right onto Street 154. The monastery will be on your right. This walk is approximately 5 minutes. No costs are associated with walking.
Public Transport

The Phnom Penh City Bus has routes that pass near Wat Ounalom. Check the local bus routes and schedules for the most up-to-date information. A single bus fare is approximately 4,000 KHR (approximately $1 USD). From the Central Market, you can take bus route 3 to reach Wat Ounalom.
Tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are readily available throughout Phnom Penh. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey. A short tuk-tuk ride from the city center to Wat Ounalom typically costs between $1 to $3. You can also use ride-hailing apps like Grab or PassApp to book a tuk-tuk. These apps will give you a fixed price before you book.

Discover more about Wat Ounalom Monastery

Wat Ounalom, meaning “eyebrow temple,” is one of the five original pagodas of Phnom Penh and the most important and largest monastery in Cambodia. Founded in 1443 by King Ponhea Yat, it was built to enshrine an 'Ounalom,' an eyebrow hair of Buddha, a relic of profound spiritual significance. The temple has since served as the residence of the leading Buddhist monks of the country, including the patriarch of the Mahanikai School of Buddhism.Throughout its history, Wat Ounalom has been a center of Buddhist learning and practice. Before its destruction during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), the monastery was home to over 500 monks and housed the Buddhist Institute's library, containing a collection of more than 30,000 titles. The Khmer Rouge caused serious damage to the temple's valuable cultural artifacts and book collection, and many monks died during this period. Miraculously, the Buddha's eyebrow hair survived and remains the focal point of the temple.Today, Wat Ounalom stands on a large area of Sothearos Boulevard and Preah Ang Eng Street, featuring a complex of 44 buildings. The main temple, dating back to 1952, is a modern recreation of the original 15th-century shrine. It's spread over three levels and displays a collection of paintings and cultural relics related to the life of Buddha. Visitors can explore the temple's many prayer buildings adorned with Buddhist sculptures and frescoes, as well as the peaceful gardens that surround the complex. Behind the main temple, visitors can explore Chetdai, an Angkorian-era stupa preserving Buddha's eyebrow hair. The stupa is also popular for its four bronze statues of Buddha in a sitting posture, each facing a cardinal direction.