Wat Preah Prom Rath
Wat Preah Prom Rath
4.5
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4.5
186 reviews
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Susan B
Gold Coast, Australia68 contributions
Jan 2020
We happened to walk into this place to have a look around and found many cats and dogs. All of a sudden they all went running because one of the monks feeds them everyday. We spoke with him a lot about the animals who are dropped off there by people not wanting them. They ranged from kittens to full grown cats and most of the dogs were young. We gave him some money for food and came back the next day to hang out with the animals and brought cat and dog food. Lovely place to visit, no cost, lovely animals getting along with each other. My favourite place in Siem Reap.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gan Y
Singapore545 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
Siem Reap the cleanest city in Cambodia in 2015 has a few majestic temple complexes or wat in Khmer. I chose to visit the famous Wat Preah Prohm Rath.
Located along Pokambor Avenue of Siem Reap and within a few minutes' ride from the Central Market, Wat Preah Prohm Rath officially known as Wat Preah Promreath (meaning Preah Promreath Pagoda) on the gate is a huge temple complex that comprises of several buildings including the ordination Hall known as Preah Vihear, a monastery known as Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, decorated towers and a few replicas of famous Khmer men and legends. The temple gate itself that has three-level Bayon-style King Jayavarman II-like faces on top was unveiled in 1371 AD.
Throughout the grounds of Wat Preah Prohm Rath are balustrades with depictions of Naga and Garuda at the ends that represent peace.
Located on the right of a smaller Buddhist prayer hall is Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, the oldest monastery of Siem Reap with a history of more than 500 years. Founded in the reign of King Ang Chan (1516-1566 AD), it was dedicated to Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and to the spirits of the couple Ta Pum and Yeay Rath who owned the land on which Wat Preah Prohm Rath was constructed to propagate Buddha's teaching and provide lodging for monks who came to Siem Reap without any lodging.
The sacred residence of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy, that is Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, was itself constructed between the late fifteenth century and early sixteenth century AD in honour of the revered monk Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy (1358-1456 AD) who was believed to bestow peace on Angkor (ninth to fifteenth century AD) when the kingdom was not in peace with Champa. King Ang Chan always came to the monastery to seek for thanksgiving and peace.
Preah Prohm Rath Monastery was initially known as Ta Pum Yeay Rath Monastery. In the 1940s, it was renamed Preah Prohm Rath Monastery by a former abbot of the monastery.
Three replicas diagonally in front of the monastery and the reclining Buddha sculpture in the ordinate Hall somewhat continued the stories of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and King Ang Chan.
The boat replica showing the monk Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy where I was standing in front is said to duplicate the boat that he always travelled to a village later known as Longvek, the ancient capital of Cambodia located halfway between Phnom Penh and the southern end of Tonle Sap lake, to ask for freshly cooked rice to be scooped into his pot.
One day, legend has it that a few sharks attacked the boat. However there is no shark in the Tonle Sap lake south of Siem Reap and since the largest freshwater fish of Tonle Sap lake, the Mekong giant catfish, has no teeth and is a herbivore. The Tonle Sap lake beasts that attacked the boat are actually the Siamese crocodiles that caused the boat to break into two pieces.
Instead of sinking into the lake, one piece of the boat floated to Wat Boribo in Kampong Chhnang Province's Boribo district where the Buddhists there built a standing statue of Buddha. The other piece that water could not flow into it brought Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy safely at great speed to the land of Ta Pum and Yeay Rath where Siem Reap's religious development began here.
To remember this event for posterity, King Ang Chan ordered Siem Reap's Buddhists to build the reclining Buddha statue made of the wooden piece of the boat that has been kept in Preah Vihear the building where the ordination Hall is situated.
The second replica on the left of the boat replica depicts Ney Khan, the enemy of King Ang Chan and the Khmer people. On the corpse sculpture are the vultures that violently fed on the corpse, his tongue sticking out from his mouth, his eyes opening wide and his face in gory condition. It has a political connotation here. The armies of Ney Khan and King Ang Chan fought with one another in the sixteenth century AD for power after the Angkor Empire was almost destroyed. Ang Chan's army won and established the capital of Longvek and his palace around the village that Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy visited in Kampong Chhnang Province. The corpse sculpture stands for Ney Khan's defeat and burial.
How the reclining Buddha and the corpse sculpture came to be somehow inspired the meaning of Siem Reap, which means "Siam Defeated" in Khmer.
Further to the left of the corpse replica are the replica of a king with an arrow riding on a white horse-carriage and soldier sculptures. The king refers to King Ang Chan who defeated Ney Khan.
Preah Vihear was constructed in 1945 the year when Wat Preah Prohm Rath was officially named. It is flanked by two cannons of French origin which are said to have belonged to Khmer warlord, anti-Communist Indochinese guerilla leader, and right-wing Cambodian nationalist and general named Dap Chhoun (1912-1959 AD).
While the reclining Buddha was installed in a huge immersion pool-like pit of the ordination Hall and was subsiding deeper and deeper because the ground had grown thicker, there is the imposing, yet despondent looking Buddha sitting on the lotus base in front. It was built during the Bayon period (twelfth century BC) with sandstone from an area now part of the Angkor Archaeological Park. This section of the Preah Vihear is known as Uposatha.
Surrounding the ordination Hall and the monastery is an artwork galley depicting various Khmer royal legends, ancient life in Angkor and life of the Buddha in the Khmer language. There is no written English translation. It will facilitate tourists' understanding and appreciation of the Khmer cultures if the monastery, local religious volunteers and Tourism Cambodia could invest in the appropriate translation resource.
A corner shows sculptures of Cambodia's fauna.
The Haw Par Villa-like temple complex is always seeking donations from well-wishers so that it can further expand its premises. It takes about one hour thirty minutes to explore the entire grounds of Wat Preah Prohm Rath in details.
If one does not have the time to enter Angkor Wat, Cambodia's national symbol, located near Siem Reap, do make an effort to visit Wat Preah Prohm Rath, the oldest temple complex of Siem Reap city proper and Siem Reap's symbol and be fascinated with the panorama of Cambodia heritage.
Admission to Wat Preah Prohm Rath is free.
Located along Pokambor Avenue of Siem Reap and within a few minutes' ride from the Central Market, Wat Preah Prohm Rath officially known as Wat Preah Promreath (meaning Preah Promreath Pagoda) on the gate is a huge temple complex that comprises of several buildings including the ordination Hall known as Preah Vihear, a monastery known as Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, decorated towers and a few replicas of famous Khmer men and legends. The temple gate itself that has three-level Bayon-style King Jayavarman II-like faces on top was unveiled in 1371 AD.
Throughout the grounds of Wat Preah Prohm Rath are balustrades with depictions of Naga and Garuda at the ends that represent peace.
Located on the right of a smaller Buddhist prayer hall is Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, the oldest monastery of Siem Reap with a history of more than 500 years. Founded in the reign of King Ang Chan (1516-1566 AD), it was dedicated to Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and to the spirits of the couple Ta Pum and Yeay Rath who owned the land on which Wat Preah Prohm Rath was constructed to propagate Buddha's teaching and provide lodging for monks who came to Siem Reap without any lodging.
The sacred residence of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy, that is Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, was itself constructed between the late fifteenth century and early sixteenth century AD in honour of the revered monk Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy (1358-1456 AD) who was believed to bestow peace on Angkor (ninth to fifteenth century AD) when the kingdom was not in peace with Champa. King Ang Chan always came to the monastery to seek for thanksgiving and peace.
Preah Prohm Rath Monastery was initially known as Ta Pum Yeay Rath Monastery. In the 1940s, it was renamed Preah Prohm Rath Monastery by a former abbot of the monastery.
Three replicas diagonally in front of the monastery and the reclining Buddha sculpture in the ordinate Hall somewhat continued the stories of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and King Ang Chan.
The boat replica showing the monk Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy where I was standing in front is said to duplicate the boat that he always travelled to a village later known as Longvek, the ancient capital of Cambodia located halfway between Phnom Penh and the southern end of Tonle Sap lake, to ask for freshly cooked rice to be scooped into his pot.
One day, legend has it that a few sharks attacked the boat. However there is no shark in the Tonle Sap lake south of Siem Reap and since the largest freshwater fish of Tonle Sap lake, the Mekong giant catfish, has no teeth and is a herbivore. The Tonle Sap lake beasts that attacked the boat are actually the Siamese crocodiles that caused the boat to break into two pieces.
Instead of sinking into the lake, one piece of the boat floated to Wat Boribo in Kampong Chhnang Province's Boribo district where the Buddhists there built a standing statue of Buddha. The other piece that water could not flow into it brought Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy safely at great speed to the land of Ta Pum and Yeay Rath where Siem Reap's religious development began here.
To remember this event for posterity, King Ang Chan ordered Siem Reap's Buddhists to build the reclining Buddha statue made of the wooden piece of the boat that has been kept in Preah Vihear the building where the ordination Hall is situated.
The second replica on the left of the boat replica depicts Ney Khan, the enemy of King Ang Chan and the Khmer people. On the corpse sculpture are the vultures that violently fed on the corpse, his tongue sticking out from his mouth, his eyes opening wide and his face in gory condition. It has a political connotation here. The armies of Ney Khan and King Ang Chan fought with one another in the sixteenth century AD for power after the Angkor Empire was almost destroyed. Ang Chan's army won and established the capital of Longvek and his palace around the village that Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy visited in Kampong Chhnang Province. The corpse sculpture stands for Ney Khan's defeat and burial.
How the reclining Buddha and the corpse sculpture came to be somehow inspired the meaning of Siem Reap, which means "Siam Defeated" in Khmer.
Further to the left of the corpse replica are the replica of a king with an arrow riding on a white horse-carriage and soldier sculptures. The king refers to King Ang Chan who defeated Ney Khan.
Preah Vihear was constructed in 1945 the year when Wat Preah Prohm Rath was officially named. It is flanked by two cannons of French origin which are said to have belonged to Khmer warlord, anti-Communist Indochinese guerilla leader, and right-wing Cambodian nationalist and general named Dap Chhoun (1912-1959 AD).
While the reclining Buddha was installed in a huge immersion pool-like pit of the ordination Hall and was subsiding deeper and deeper because the ground had grown thicker, there is the imposing, yet despondent looking Buddha sitting on the lotus base in front. It was built during the Bayon period (twelfth century BC) with sandstone from an area now part of the Angkor Archaeological Park. This section of the Preah Vihear is known as Uposatha.
Surrounding the ordination Hall and the monastery is an artwork galley depicting various Khmer royal legends, ancient life in Angkor and life of the Buddha in the Khmer language. There is no written English translation. It will facilitate tourists' understanding and appreciation of the Khmer cultures if the monastery, local religious volunteers and Tourism Cambodia could invest in the appropriate translation resource.
A corner shows sculptures of Cambodia's fauna.
The Haw Par Villa-like temple complex is always seeking donations from well-wishers so that it can further expand its premises. It takes about one hour thirty minutes to explore the entire grounds of Wat Preah Prohm Rath in details.
If one does not have the time to enter Angkor Wat, Cambodia's national symbol, located near Siem Reap, do make an effort to visit Wat Preah Prohm Rath, the oldest temple complex of Siem Reap city proper and Siem Reap's symbol and be fascinated with the panorama of Cambodia heritage.
Admission to Wat Preah Prohm Rath is free.
Written 6 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deepak
Suva, Fiji347 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
A beautiful pagoda in the town with wonderful stories to read and listen to. The TukTuk drivers outside prove excellent guides and share the stories of this pagoda and the reclining Buddha inside.
We visited this place on our first day in Siem Reap and we felt was a good introduction to Siem Reap.
We visited this place on our first day in Siem Reap and we felt was a good introduction to Siem Reap.
Written 19 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China176,235 contributions
Jan 2020
Wat Preah Prom Rath (free entry) is a local monastary located on the Pokambor Avenue on the west side of the Siem Reap River very near to city centre attractions such as Pub Street and the Old Market. Based on historical information posted outside the temple walls as well as inside, it seems this temple was constructed in the late 15th or early 16th century.
Within you will find quite a few decorative sculptures of religious and spiritual figures. These are colourful and photogenic. The most interesting things to see at Wat Preah Prom Rath are within the Ordination Hall. There is a large seated buddha statue as well as a reclining buddha just behind.
The seated buddha known as Preah Ang Chee Buddha in lotus position is made of sandstone from the Angkor area. It reportedly dates back to the Bayon Period meaning that it would predate the construction of temple.
The reclining buddha is known as Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and represents a revered monk from the late 14th to early 15th century monk, who fables believe would sail by boat from here to Long Vek, nearer to Phnom Penh in search of food. Upon his return, the rice the monk brought back was still freshly cooked in his cooking pot. More of the legend about Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy can be read on the blue information boards outside and inside the temple.
There are also interesting bas-reliefs of religious scenes, some of which we recalled learning about in the Angkor History Museum. These can be seen lining the inner wall which surrounds the Ordination Hall.
Overall, we found Wat Preah Prom Rath to be an interesting temple visit in Siem Reap. It is worth 15-20 minutes of your time to explore. Feel free to take pictures inside during your visit as well.
Within you will find quite a few decorative sculptures of religious and spiritual figures. These are colourful and photogenic. The most interesting things to see at Wat Preah Prom Rath are within the Ordination Hall. There is a large seated buddha statue as well as a reclining buddha just behind.
The seated buddha known as Preah Ang Chee Buddha in lotus position is made of sandstone from the Angkor area. It reportedly dates back to the Bayon Period meaning that it would predate the construction of temple.
The reclining buddha is known as Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and represents a revered monk from the late 14th to early 15th century monk, who fables believe would sail by boat from here to Long Vek, nearer to Phnom Penh in search of food. Upon his return, the rice the monk brought back was still freshly cooked in his cooking pot. More of the legend about Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy can be read on the blue information boards outside and inside the temple.
There are also interesting bas-reliefs of religious scenes, some of which we recalled learning about in the Angkor History Museum. These can be seen lining the inner wall which surrounds the Ordination Hall.
Overall, we found Wat Preah Prom Rath to be an interesting temple visit in Siem Reap. It is worth 15-20 minutes of your time to explore. Feel free to take pictures inside during your visit as well.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polly Kong
6 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
I found this temple coincidentally when i was having a short walk in the town area. I just walked in and there was a english speaking guy infront the main site of temple. It is the place where you will be asking to take off your shoes before entering to see the sleeping buddha inside the main temple. This is how the scam started, i am assuming this is a scam whereby the guy asked me for a donation or entrance fee of usd10 required to be paid by foreign visitor after i finished my visit. He said it is compulsory for foreigner and it will be using for maintenance of temple and helping the poor children as well! I felt depressed and pissed off and he was very smart to asked me when i was alone where no one else around me!!! Well, i think they set me as target because i was alone and a female as well!!
So, becareful with those scam around especially female traveller that travelling alone!
So, becareful with those scam around especially female traveller that travelling alone!
Written 1 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bishwaksen
Kolkata (Calcutta), India1,112 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
This is located in the Siem Reap city, more or less on the bank of the river/canal. There are a lot of statues inside plus a few temples, a garden, prayer halls and a monastery. Please dress appropriately.
There is no ticket, but donations are always welcome. The whole complex is quite peaceful and well maintained. Its extremely colourful and looks quite new. However, it is well over 500 years old!!
You can easily spend about half an hour here, just sitting and watching the world go by or in meditation.
There is no ticket, but donations are always welcome. The whole complex is quite peaceful and well maintained. Its extremely colourful and looks quite new. However, it is well over 500 years old!!
You can easily spend about half an hour here, just sitting and watching the world go by or in meditation.
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Housemartin
18 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
What a surprise, came across this modern temple by chance, so much to see, full of colour, free entry, donations welcome, there is story on a board which explains the temple history, well worth 30-45 mins, no one at the hotel had been, all agreed a little gem of a visit. Go see and be wowed, don't forget to look behind the big Buddha👍
Written 18 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgoldman666
London, UK231 contributions
Nov 2019
Found this whilst exploring on foot. What a contrast the rest of Siem Reap. A spiritual experience with a huge reclining Buddha. Carvings in the courtyard that defy description unless you know their attribution. No hassle, no crowds. That will probably change so get there before the crowds.
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Maarek
Tel Aviv, Israel16,162 contributions
Nov 2018
When one visit Siam Reap, no doubt it is not for this Temple nor for Pub Street but for the Angkor Archeological Park Temples:
Angkor Wat which is the bigger and so famous for its sunrise and sunset pictures over its ponds.
The Faces trying to escape the walls at Bayon Temple.
The liquid trees and the hidden face inside a tree's trunk,at Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider 1st movie Temple)
Bakong in the Roluos Group far away, and also Baphuon and so many more.
So why spending one hour to visit this rather modern Temple like there are so many others here and in Thailand.
Hard to say why, usually bour time is limited and we always want to make the most of it.
But if like us your are several days in Siam Reap (we were there 5 days), after some days of seeing Khmer Temples and more Khmer Temples, we wanted just to walk in Siam Reap by day and not only by night in Pub Street or the other night markets.
So we decided to visit some modern temples as well, like this one, and later Wat Bo and Wat Dam Nak, modern and beautiful (in another way) as we had done just before in Chiang Mai.
I have attached many pictures trying to give you a glimpse of the Temple, and if you like what you see, but more important, if you have the time ...
Angkor Wat which is the bigger and so famous for its sunrise and sunset pictures over its ponds.
The Faces trying to escape the walls at Bayon Temple.
The liquid trees and the hidden face inside a tree's trunk,at Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider 1st movie Temple)
Bakong in the Roluos Group far away, and also Baphuon and so many more.
So why spending one hour to visit this rather modern Temple like there are so many others here and in Thailand.
Hard to say why, usually bour time is limited and we always want to make the most of it.
But if like us your are several days in Siam Reap (we were there 5 days), after some days of seeing Khmer Temples and more Khmer Temples, we wanted just to walk in Siam Reap by day and not only by night in Pub Street or the other night markets.
So we decided to visit some modern temples as well, like this one, and later Wat Bo and Wat Dam Nak, modern and beautiful (in another way) as we had done just before in Chiang Mai.
I have attached many pictures trying to give you a glimpse of the Temple, and if you like what you see, but more important, if you have the time ...
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jalal Iqbal
Dhaka City, Bangladesh1,471 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
its a very big and clean temple complex located in the city just beside the river. entry is free and the temple is close to the pub street too. very clean and quiet place. must visit in the city.
Written 3 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Horario de rezos por la tarde y si podemos llevar calcetines
Written 9 September 2019
How much is the entrance fee?
What time is the visiting hours?
Written 29 October 2017
As far as I know, there is no entry fee. You just make a donation into any of the glass offering boxes on the temple steps. Sorry, I can't recall the opening hours. It was always open when I passed during daylight hours over several days.
Written 1 November 2017
Hola,
Alguien sabe los horarios de visita de este lugar?
Gracias viajeros.
Written 23 January 2017
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