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Visitors can stand on top of Oudong and admire the surrounding villages. Photo: Sebastian Wasek . |
After years of leading tours around Cambodia, tour guide Nao Sok always has one answer when asked, "What is the most underrated destination?".
That is the ancient capital of Oudong.
Located about 35 km from Phnom Penh, Oudong was the capital of Cambodia from 1618 to the mid-1860s. Although the royal court left more than 150 years ago, it still holds a special place for the Cambodian royal family.
On this sacred hill complex are numerous stupas, Buddha statues, artifacts, and exquisite religious structures. The entire area contains 16 stupas preserving the remains of Cambodian kings from various periods. CNN calls this place the "city of the dead."
Secrets never revealed
The path to the hilltop, with its more than 500 steps, is filled with vibrant colors, from Buddhist flags hung along the way, offerings of fruit and fresh flowers from locals, to monks in orange robes silently crossing green rice fields to reach the temple.
During its heyday, Oudong was known as the "city of a thousand temples." Perched atop a 93-meter-high hill, its most striking structure was a gleaming silver temple, intricately carved with elephants—symbols of strength and longevity. Inside stood a prominent gilded Buddha statue.
Nearby, a stone stupa stands with tall pillars bearing four Buddha faces pointing in four directions. From afar, they are faintly visible behind the tall trees, creating a sense of both sacredness and mystery, especially on misty days.
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The complex atop Oudong Hill is home to several elaborately decorated Buddhist stupas, as well as relics, sculptures, and sacred artifacts. Photo: Travel Cambodia. |
Despite being a popular picnic spot for Phnom Penh residents, Oudong remains relatively unknown to international tourists. Many people often bypass the capital to visit Angkor Wat or travel to neighboring countries like Vietnam.
War devastated many areas, and reconstruction was uneven, so Oudong still holds many undiscovered treasures. Unlike the vast Angkor Wat, which requires several days to explore , Oudong can be visited in just a few hours.
In 2020, Cambodia nominated Oudong for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, but it was not approved.
According to experts, this area includes not only the hill and the monasteries at its foot, but also the nearby Longvek citadel. All of these combine to form a vast complex with multiple layers of value.
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The Golden Temple in the ancient capital of Oudong. Photo: Expedia. |
Expectations are changing thanks to tourism.
Tour guide Nao Sok advises visitors to arrive in Oudong early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and admire the sunrise over the hilltops.
He suggested dedicating a full day to visiting the Vipassana meditation center, Oudong market, and a local homestay or restaurant to experience the daily life of Cambodians.
Compared to Angkor Wat, Oudong is much more "rustic," with no souvenir shops, stores, or vending machines. Entrance is free, there are no signs or maps, and phone signal is sometimes unreliable.
Tour companies like Asia Desk provide air-conditioned vehicles, English-speaking guides, water, and snacks. When entering temples or meditation centers, visitors are required to wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
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Cambodia inaugurated the $2 billion Techno International Airport in October. Photo: Reuters, Arch Daily. |
British writer Marissa Carruthers, who has lived in Phnom Penh since 2012, often takes her friends to Oudong whenever they visit.
She noted that one of the often-overlooked tourist attractions is the memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge, which killed at least 1.7 million Cambodians in the late 1970s.
Despite its contrasting appearance with the opulent stupas, Carruthers believes this place "should be visited to pay respect to its painful past."
"Visiting Oudong is a chance to revisit a part of Cambodian history without the crowds, to chat with locals, and to take stunning photos," she said.
Previously, the Cambodian government stated that it would boost investment in tourism infrastructure to attract international tourists, including adding more large-scale cultural heritage sites.
Earlier this year, Phnom Penh's new $2 billion international airport opened, part of a multi-year strategy to bring tourists to the lesser-known southern provinces.
Source: https://znews.vn/thanh-pho-nguoi-chet-o-campuchia-post1606384.html
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