Oudong Travel Guide

As you approach the hill of Phnom Oudong the road forks: the main entrance is to the left, on the east side of the larger hill, while a quieter back entrance and a large modern temple lie to the right. Following the road right leads to a gilded temple of the Vipassana Dhura Centre — among the most beautiful in Cambodia — beside a reservoir with a statue of Lady Ramsay Sok atop a crocodile; inside, an enormous mosaic-tiled Buddha sits beneath murals of the Buddha’s life, and a small chapel behind holds a mummified monk.

From here a steep track climbs the northern flank of Phnom Preah Reach Trop (‘Hill of the Royal Fortune’), the quieter of two approaches. Ascending, you pass funerary stupas of the royal family, the largest — the silver-spired Buddha Stupa commissioned by King Norodom Sihanouk — believed to enshrine Buddha relics. Following the ridge south past further royal stupas and the restored Vihear Preah Ath Roes, an old laterite stairway drops back down to the eastern base, near the main parking area. If you have a driver, arrange to be dropped at the top and met near the foot of the eastern stairs.

At the base, hundreds of hammock shacks serve coconuts, cold beer and cheap local meals — a favourite Cambodian weekend picnic spot, and the easiest place to regroup if you lose track of your driver.

Costs: About $25-50 per day - very affordable-local markets and simple guesthouses dominate.

Safety: Mostly safe for visitors - generally safe for daytime visits to temples and viewpoints; take usual rural precautions.

Best Time: November to February - cool, dry season ideal for climbing and temple visits.

Once Cambodia’s royal capital, Oudong attracts visitors for its hilltop stupas, royal necropolis and panoramic countryside views. Clusters of Buddhist monuments atop the mountain draw pilgrims during festivals like Pchum Ben, and shaded paths lead between large Buddha images and memorial stupas. Its historical weight and religious rituals offer a quieter, more contemplative complement to Cambodia’s better-known temple sites.

Oudong pairs well with several sights nearby. The traditional Kompong Luong silver village still hand-crafts silverware, and two contrasting temples are close by: Phnom Baset, an ancient hilltop site, and Phnom Reap, a peaceful sacred hill. History buffs can stop at Longvek, a former Cambodian capital, or continue north to Skuon — nicknamed ‘Spiderville’ for its famous fried tarantulas. Also nearby, Ampe Phnom is a forested resort area with a river, a suspension bridge and a festival pagoda, and hot springs lie in the Te Mountains further along the highway from Phnom Penh.

Oudong is most comfortable during the cool dry months (November-February) when mornings are pleasant for temple visits. The May-October rains bring heat relief but can turn tracks muddy.

Oudong (Udong) is a short road journey from Phnom Penh and is normally visited as a day trip by car, taxi or organised tour. There is no direct rail service; road transport is the practical option.

Oudong is easiest reached by car or taxi from Phnom Penh; minibuses and tours are economical alternatives. On arrival, tuk‑tuks and walking cover local movement between temples and viewpoints.

There is effectively no nightlife in Oudong - the site closes in the evenings and the area is quiet after dark. Most visitors plan trips as daytime excursions from Phnom Penh and return to the city for any evening entertainment. If you’re seeking bars or live music, Phnom Penh is the place to go rather than Oudong.

Shopping around Oudong is minimal and focused on small roadside stalls selling snacks, water and modest souvenirs near the main parking and viewing areas. For significant shopping or handicrafts, return to Phnom Penh where markets and shops are far more extensive. Expect few formal shops at the site itself; vendors tend to be seasonal and event-driven.