Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom – the origin of Phnom Penh is a Buddhist temple built 1372. It is 27m high, making it the tallest religious structure in the city. According to legend, the original pagoda housed four Buddha statues deposited by the Mekong River. They were later discovered by a woman named Penh and the city’s origin, therefore, is attributed to her. Wat Phnom is part of Riverside, a busy district and probably the real downtown of Phnom Penh. Riverside incorporates areas like Phsar Chas, Phsar Kandal, Chey Chumneas and Chaktomuk: the oldest parts of the city.