After pick-up from your hotel we first stop to visit Wat Phnom Temple and the nearby Lady Penh statue for about 1hr and learn about the important relationship between Wat Phnom and Oudong Mtn, both having been former Capitals of Cambodia. Following that, we begin travelling north out of Phnom Penh towards Oudong Mountain for approximately 1hr and 20 minutes. On reaching Koh Chen, a Silversmithing Village, we take a small break. Koh Chen is renowned for crafting silver, copper and brass jewellery, small artefacts and other products. See them working their craft, browse and purchase if you so desire.
On leaving the Silversmithing Village we carry on for another 20 minutes to Oudong Mountain, arriving before the heat of the day sets in, to explore this area. The mountain can be seen well before arriving. With Oudong meaning 'high' or 'supreme', it is the only Mountain rising out of the floodplains. There is a small entry fee of $1 to go up the 500 step stairway from the car park to get to the top of the hill and the grandest white marble Wat. It is surrounded by 4 elevated platforms and holds King Norodom Sihanouk's ashes which were interned there in 2014. The Wat is architecturally beautiful and offers great photographic opportunities along with the fantastic view from the Mountain top across the landscape and the largest Buddhist Centre in Cambodia which we will visit before leaving the area.
With Oudong mountain being made up of 2 hills we cross the short distance to the other, and stroll around the other impressive Stupas that dot the hill and house the ashes of former Kings before heading down an alternative route back to the car park.
At the base of Oudong Mountain there is a local market to wander through before heading a short distance to the largest Buddhist Centre in Cambodia. It is predominantly occupied by Buddhist Nuns. The buildings are architecturally beautiful in traditional Cambodian style and you are free to wander and photograph here.
On leaving here we travel with a pleasant breeze thru the Tuk Tuk on the return journey to Phnom Penh.