The Wat Phnom, established in 1373, is the most significant of pagodas (temples) in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The Wat Phnom rises to a height of 27 meters and is by far the highest sacred structure in the city of Phnom Penh. The Wat Phnom Penh, literally meaning “Hill Temple” or “Mountain Pagoda” is situated at the very heart of the city of Phnom Penh, upon an artificial hill that stands at a height about 100 meters. The Wat Phnom was built by a rich widow that goes by the name Daun Chi Penh, subsequent to a massive flood that happened to wash several Buddha images downstream. Subsequently the Lady Duan Chi Penh saw these Buddha images afloat within a koki tree upon the Mekong River. Lady Duan Chi Penh created an artificial hill and constructed this shrine at the top of the hill to house these statues. The Wat Phnom has been reconstructed since its initial formation.
Over the many subsequent years, the Wat Phnom has had numerous add-ons to the initial shrines that dwelt within the walls of this wonderful structure. The most massive stupa enshrines the remains in the form of ashes of King Ponhea Yat, which is incidentally the central part of the city celebrations of the Cambodian New Year and Pchum Benh.
King Ponhea Yat, in 1434, arrived and built the city of Phnom Penh. Since then the Wat Phnom has become a central attraction in the city and a must visit if one is in the area of Phnom Penh. One can enjoy staying at a luxury hotel in Phnom Penh, enjoying the luxuries thereof. Staying at a Phnom Penh Hotel would be a good idea, which would help you to spend more time sightseeing the area.