Wat Phnom, Buddhist temple on artificial hill in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This temple rises on a constructed mound in the center of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The approach leads through a wide staircase flanked by naga sculptures, and the main building at the top has gilded roofs and wooden pillars.

A local woman named Penh found four Buddha statues in a floating tree in 1372 and built the first shrine on this spot. The sanctuary has been rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries.

The name links to the legend of Lady Penh, who established the sanctuary and gave the capital its name. Visitors today see locals lighting incense sticks and offering donations at the base of the mound.

The entrance is on the eastern side, and visitors must remove their shoes before entering the inner prayer room. The site opens from early morning until evening and is easy to reach on foot.

The main stupa, built in 1433–1434 by King Ponhea Yat's son, is 27 meters tall and took a year to complete. It enshrines Ponhea Yat's remains, and the site was renamed Wat Chetiya Boran. Ponhea Yat had moved the capital from Tuol Basan to Chaktomuk in 1397, not from Angkor.