Silver Pagoda

Inside the complex of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Silver Pagoda is located on the south side of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh. The temple’s official name is Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) which is commonly shortened to Wat Preah Keo. The pagoda itself is clearly influenced by Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeo, also home to a precious crystal Buddha to which the one in Phnom Penh bears an uncanny resemblance.

Constructed in 1962 by former King Sihanouk to replace the wooden pagoda built by his grandfather in 1902, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its 5329 silver floor tiles, each around 20cm square and weighing more than a kilogram.

Within the Royal Palace compound is the extravagant Silver Pagoda, the floor of which is covered with five tons of gleaming silver. The staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made of Italian marble. Inside, the Emerald Buddha, said to be made of Baccarat crystal, sits on a gilt pedestal high atop the dais. In front of the dais stands a life-sized gold Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats. Visit Silver Pagoda with Indochina tours Cambodia