Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s Shimmering Jewel

The Silver Pagoda has a large number of valuable artefacts, including gold Buddhas, that represent an important part of Cambodia’s history. Visitors can learn about the spiritual practices of the Khmer people and the tonalities of their architecture.

Table of Contents

Introduction To Silver Pagoda

The Silver Pagoda is a revered national landmark that is situated in the Royal Palace Compound, Phnom Penh, and is a significant religious heritage site in Cambodia. It is known as the Wat Preah Keo Morakot, and its name is derived from the fact that its flooring is paved with over 5,000 pieces of shiny silver tiles that give a holy and heavenly ambiance to the structure. The architectural beauty of this pagoda, infused with a blend of Khmer creativity and a gilded finish, offers a unique opportunity for tourists to enter a royal structure that is of immense significance to the cultural heritage of this country.

However, what makes the Silver Pagoda truly unique is its collection of priceless relics. Visitors can marvel at the famous Emerald Buddha, carved from crystal, and the golden Buddha, covered in diamonds. The pagoda is flanked by a mural gallery that depicts the legend of Cambodia through colorful artwork. For anyone exploring the delights of Phnom Penh, a visit to the Silver Pagoda is about far more than a place to go. It offers a fascinating glimpse of artistic, religious, and royal heritage, and what that means to the cultural identity of Cambodia.

History Of the Silver Pagoda

The Silver Pagoda, or Wat Preah Keo Morakot, was originally constructed back in 1892, during the rule of King Norodom. It was made of wood, typical of Cambodian architecture, and was rebuilt a second time, this time made of wood and brick, in 1902, and was finally consecrated on the 5th of February 1903. Since its initial formation, this temple has long been famous for its collection of numerous priceless Buddha statues.

Conventionally, the role of the Silver Pagoda was to be a prayer and meditation site for the king, without a resident monk. Only once was there a monk living at the pagoda, from July 31, 1947, when King Norodom Sihanouk meditated for three months. When there were formal Buddhist occasions, the king allowed monks from temples around Phnom Penh to lead these activities.

By 1962, the wooden structure had decayed. Alongside the leadership of Queen Mother Kossamak Nearyreath, King Sihanouk constructed the temple from reinforced cement, with columns made of Italian marble. Additionally, the floor was paved with 5,329 pieces of hand-crafted silver tiles weighing 1.125kg each, earning the temple its popular name, the Silver Pagoda. The temple is also known as the Golden Pagoda because of its golden statue of Maitreya Buddha.

The current role of the Silver Pagoda is mainly a cultural-historical repository rather than a place of worship. It contains over 1,050 treasured objects that include gold, silver, bronze, and other precious materials. These objects have reportedly been donated by His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, members of the royal family, and followers. They include donations for blessings of peace, prosperity, and the protection of cultural heritage for the future.

Top 5 Iconic Attractions In Silver Pagoda

The Silver Pagoda is much more than a religious place, being a place where the royal art and heritage of Cambodia lie. Right from the mesmerizing statues of Buddha to the mural paintings, every place of attraction inside this temple tells a different story.

The Majestic Golden Buddha

The most recognizable of these is the enormous gold statue of the Buddha, weighing over 90kg or 200lbs, set with over 2,086 glittering diamonds. Dating back to 1906, this work of art was made from the royal family’s own collection of King Norodom’s jewelry, designed – as was customary from the Angkor era – in the likeness of King Norodom himself. The most prominent diamond, weighing about 25mm, is embedded within the headgear.

The Surrounding Smaller Buddha Statues

Across the temple, there are also numerous smaller statues of Buddha made of gold and silver, approximately the size of a hand. Of these, there is a 50cm emerald Buddha that is placed prominently high, believed to radiate light at night.

Additionally, there is a 60-80cm dark-bronze Buddha, where anyone can touch its feet for blessings; this is a way for one to feel connected to the religious heritage of Cambodia.

A Temple Without Resident Monks

Contrary to most temples of the Buddhist faith, the Silver Pagoda is without resident monks; it serves merely as a holy site for prayer for the royal family. It is basically a storage place for religious artifacts. The holy nature of this temple is such that even when the Pol Pot regime emptied Phnom Penh to live in hiding for four years, most of its artifacts had remained undisturbed.

The Reamker Epic Murals

Inside the pagoda, a broad gallery is filled with murals that contain scenes of the Reamker, a Khmer version of the Indian Ramayana. These murals, created between 1903-1904 by pupils under the direction of artist Ang Vichitre Chea and architect Oknha Tep Nimit Thneak, trace the stories of legendary figures, evil spirits, and gods, giving the viewer a cultural and religious description through each stroke of the brush.

Royal Mausoleum

It is also home to a number of royal mausoleums, such as those of His Majesty King Ang Duong, His Majesty King Norodom, His Majesty King Suramarit, Her Majesty Queen Kossamak, and Her Royal Highness Princess Kantha Bopha. These mausoleums keep the remains of the members of the royal family of Cambodia.

4 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss

When you arrive at the Silver Pagoda, you will be able to fully interact with Cambodia’s cultural and spiritual past. From silver tiles on the ground to priceless Buddha Statues, each part of the temple has its own story, which allows for both delight and learning to occur simultaneously.

Admire The Silver Tiles

Visiting the Silver Pagoda allows you the chance to walk on a floor made up of more than 5,000 pieces of solid silver. The bright silver shining so brightly against the dark colored wood surrounding it creates an almost divine feeling in the atmosphere of the temple. The quality of craftsmanship and artistry at the Temple is a true one-of-a-kind experience that should be appreciated by all those who have a desire to experience the culture and heritage of the Khmer people.

Marvel at the Precious Buddha Statues

In addition to having beautiful floors, the Silver Pagoda also houses a number of priceless Buddha Statues, including the world-renowned Emerald Buddha made out of crystal and a life-size gold statue of Buddha covered in thousands of diamonds. These statues not only provide the viewer with amazing visual beauty but also have tremendous value to those who practice the Buddhist faith, as they are a reminder of the great faith of the Khmer people and their royal family.

Learn About the Architecture and Art of Cambodia

The architecture of the temple is an impressive fusion of Khmer architectural styles and the influences of Buddhism. Visitors can see beautiful murals that depict stories from the Reamker Epic, as well as many of the historical and decorative artifacts created by Khmer artisans over many centuries, which demonstrate the incredible artistic heritage of Cambodia. The craftsmanship and creativity exhibited by Cambodian craftsmen can be seen in all aspects of the temple’s design.

Explore the Spiritual Culture of Cambodia

In addition to the beauty of the Silver Pagoda, it also serves as a window into the spiritual and cultural history of Cambodia. Through exhibits and sacred objects, it shows how religion is intertwined with everyday life in the Kingdom of Cambodia, and gives visitors an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s values, traditions, and history.

Entrance Fee

Entrance into The Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morakot), located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, does not require an entrance fee. It is also worth noting that donations to the temple are purely voluntary and can be given at the visitor’s discretion.

Opening Hours

Visitors can typically visit the Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo) in Phnom Penh each day from 7:30 am to 11 am, and from 2 pm to 5 pm. Because it is located in a country where the weather is typically very warm, visitors may also choose to visit at other times of the year when it is generally warm enough to be outside and sightseeing.

September and October would be the most ideal months to visit if you want to have the best experience, because the temperature during those months will be much cooler and will provide for a more enjoyable experience than during May through August, when it is at its hottest.

How To Get To the Silver Pagoda

People from Vietnam can take advantage of a number of conveniently available transport methods to reach the Silver Pagoda, found in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, if they wish to experience this attraction. Flights, for example, can be accessed directly from Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi, or from Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, for a price of about 1.5 to 2 million VND.

The Silver Pagoda, situated on the southern side of the Royal Palace

Alternatively, you can take a long distance bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. When you arrive at the city, you can get to the Silver Pagoda quickly through the availability of transport such as taxis, buses, and tuk-tuks that quickly take you to the ground of the Royal Palace where the pagoda is situated.

Things To Know Before Traveling To Silver Pagoda

It’s a unique experience to pay a visit to the Silver Pagoda, but there are a number of things you must keep in mind to make your trip a smooth and successful one. It’s a highly revered temple, and one of the most important ones that Cambodia is home to.

Dress modestly, keeping your shoulders and knees covered. Long pants or a long skirt are best.
Photography and filming can be limited or restricted, so you must read all signs carefully prior to entry.
Please keep your voice down and refrain from raised conversations, especially within the main sanctuary.
Avoid touching statues, relics, or religious objects, as some of them can be priceless cultural assets.
It is customary to remove your hat when entering the indoor areas of temples.
Be careful where you tread on the silver-tiled floor. Parts of it may be uneven or fragile.
It is best to come here early to get a less crowded environment to enjoy fully the beuaty of this pagoda.

Final Thoughts: Is Silver Pagoda Worth Visiting?

The Silver Pagoda is a definite must-visit for anyone who wants to feel the heartbeat of Cambodia’s culture. It is a perfect harmonization of holy artistic expression, royal heritage, and unique artifacts that you won’t find elsewhere within the boundaries of Cambodia. Right from its floor that is tiled in glinting silver to its iconic Emerald Buddha, each and every corner of this place speaks a word of its own significance. Experience the heritage of Phnom Penh at this site, and a memorable experience is guaranteed. For a hassle-free experience in Cambodia, contact Seniworld.

Content Seniworld