Wat Ounalom
Temple Major Phnom Penh pagoda and senior Buddhist monastery
Phnom Penh’s Wat Ounalom serves as a principal Khmer Buddhist temple complex and monastic centre; visitors see stupas, shrines and the central pagoda near the riverfront.
Wat Ounalom is a principal Buddhist temple complex in central Phnom Penh that functions as the national seat of Cambodia’s Buddhist monastic order. It is one of the most important religious sites in the city and is located close to the royal and riverside precincts.
The complex includes a central stupa, assembly halls and monastic buildings used for worship, ceremonies and religious administration. The site serves both as a place of ritual and as the administrative center for the Cambodian sangha, with active monastic communities and education functions.
Several buildings on the site date back many centuries and the compound has been maintained as a continuous center of Cambodian Buddhism despite periods of damage and repair in the 20th century. Restoration and conservation work has taken place periodically to preserve the complex.
The temple sits on flat ground near the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong riverfront in Phnom Penh, within walking distance of the Royal Palace and central hotel and government areas.
- Location: Sits near the Royal Palace and the riverfront road Sisowath Quay, making it centrally accessible from Phnom Penh's riverfront area.
How to Get to Wat Ounalom #
Wat Ounalom is on Sisowath Quay in central Phnom Penh, easily reached by tuk-tuk or a short walk from the riverside attractions such as the National Museum and the Royal Palace.
Tips for Visiting Wat Ounalom #
- Attend early-morning chanting in the temple precinct for atmospheric glimpses of the resident monks at prayer.
- Dress respectfully: shoulders and knees should be covered, and remove shoes before entering inner sanctums.
- Hire a licensed guide in Phnom Penh to explain the temple's complex of stupas and the history of its Khmer Buddhist community.
Best Time to Visit Wat Ounalom #
Dry months (November-April) are the most comfortable for temple visits and riverside walking.
Weather & Climate near Wat Ounalom #
Wat Ounalom's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1370 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is hot, feeling like 28°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 31°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 35°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (153 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (161 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (158 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (224 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (258 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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