Get off the beaten path with this approximately 40 kilometers trip, from Phnom Penh to the temple of Oudong, located on a small mountain. There you will discover the former location of the royal residence and Cambodia’s capital until 1866. At the base of the mountain, you will find a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge. It contains bones collected from mass graves nearby. A small pavilion with painted murals shows the atrocities that were committed during the regime.
From there, you will climb the 500 steps up the ridge. After reaching the top you can take your time and admire the views of lush greenery and blooming trees. There you will find a modern temple that contains a relic of Buddha, believed to be one of his eyebrow hair. Continuing on the path, you will find three large stupas that contain the ashes of former monarchs and several smaller temples. Further along is the impressive Arthaross Temple that houses the remains of a large Buddha destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.This Buddha is known for facing north instead of the traditional east, which is said to depict the power of the Khmer Empire at that time.
On the way back, stop at Koh Chen, a small village where most residents make their livings as copper and silversmiths. There you can spend your time walking through this village, to admire the techniques of copper and silversmiths passed down to them through generations. You will be amazed by their beautiful artisan work before returning to Phnom Penh around noon.
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