Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh

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The Silver Pagoda is a temple that has a sliver plated floor, and serves as the private temple for the King when he is in town.

The silver pagoda is often called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo.

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Adjacent to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is actually several temples and other structures, all of great beauty. The Khmer Rouge, who destroyed so much of Cambodia's (and Phnom Penh's) heritage, let those of the Silver Pagoda stand -- as a testament, they said, to the excesses of the nation's monarchy.

The Silver Pagoda and adjacent buildings were erected mostly in the 19th century, some of them renovated in the 20th.

Built in 1892 by king Norodom and restored in 1962 by king Sihanuk, this beautiful pagoda is a beautiful example of Kmer art. It´s covered by 5,000 silver floor tiles. it also has a lot of statues, the most famous of all, a priceless gold buddha covered by diamonds. It´s not possible to take pictures.

The Silver Pagoda is at the site of the Royal Temple. Here again, I was not overly impressed, though I'm sure some people would disagree with me.

In Khmer, the Silver Pagoda is known as Wat Preah Keo Morokat. So named for its 5,000 silver tiles which cover the floor. There were glass cases of silver items (not that silver anymore). Mostly the same objects, just different sizes. It is less of a temple and more of a museum, but still not that interesting to me.

I certainly would not advise anyone to take a trip to Phnom Penh based around this experience.

Once again, no photography is allowed, so you don't even get to bring back the memories of what you did see.

Admittedly the focal point of the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is an impressive sight inside and out. Housing not only an Emerald Buddha made of Baccarat crystal but also a life size golden Buddha encasing nearly 10,000 diamonds, it takes its name from its floor composed of over 5000 one kilogram silver tiles. If this isn’t enough to make you dizzy, you can bask in the 360 degree view of assorted Khmer art that ornament the walls. Though it cost $2 in addition to the already high $3 admission charge to bring a camera in, it is forbidden to take photos inside the pagoda.

Silver pagoda, cause its floor is covered by more than 5000 pieces of silver whose weight is about 1 kg cad.
Even if the silver is totally covered by carpets, you still have a werid sensation on your feet while walking there.
Cameras are forbidden, so if you only wanted a picture of the pagoda, save your money and do not buy a tiket for the camera.

The floor of this magnificent structure is paved with five thousand tiles of pure silver, and it holds the most valuable and dazzling display of riches in Cambodia - including several jeweled Buddha figures made of solid gold. Government authorization is required for visitors.

Silver Palace, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In the floor of the main building of the temple lay 5,000 silver blocks (5 tons of pure silver) which made up the magnificent floor. The 17th Century Emerald Buddha was carved from Jade and was put back in the temple after Pol Pots evacuation.

Open: daily 7.30 - 11am, 2.30 - 5pm