Tour Name: Oudong Era The Decline In Khmer History Guided Tour 1d
Tour Code: P1C
Tour Duration: 1 day
Tour Operates: all year round / on demand
Number of Pax: available upon request
Pick-up and drop-off location
Can be anywhere upon request
Hotel in Phnom Penh
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh international airport
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh bus stations
Upon arrival in boat pier in Phnom Penh
Any AirBnB and residences in Phnom Penh
Oudong Mountain
Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Travel by private vehicle over scenic backroads to Cambodia’s former capital, Oudong, about 39km from Phnom Penh. The ride passes rural villages, local pagodas, and scenic rice paddies before reaching the main hill of Oudong. On the way, visit a family that is producing palm sugar at their house.
Then, climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below.
Etymology
The city's name is derived from the Sanskrit "uttunga" meaning tall, which probably refers to the mountain. As it had gained religious merit and significance it might have undergone extension towards: "great" or "supreme".
History
Oudong was founded by King Srei Soryapor in 1601, after the abandonment of Longvek. Under the reign of King Ang Duong (1841-1850), he constructed canals, terraces, bridges and erected hundreds of pagodas in this region. Oudong was later abandoned by King Norodom in 1866 in favor of Phnom Penh.
From 1618 until 1866 it was formally called Oudong Meanchey, home to a succession of kings deposed from the former capital of Lovek by the invading Thais. In 1866, it was abandoned by King Norodom, taking his royal court along with him to the current capital, Phnom Penh. It was extensively damaged by the Khmer Rouge in 1977, along with the other temples, monuments, and religious structures there.
Folklore
Legend has it that in the Arthaross Temple (Temple of Eighteen Points, eighteen, the Buddha located here faces north instead of the traditional direction of east, symbolizing a testimony to the strength and power of the ancient Khmer kingdom.
Henri Mouhot: "Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China" 1864:
"Udong, the present capital of Cambodia, is situated north-east of Komput, and is four miles and a half from that arm of the Mekon which forms the great lake...Every moment I met mandarins, either borne in litters or on foot, followed by a crowd of slaves carrying various articles; some, yellow or scarlet parasols, more or less large according to the rank of the person; others, boxes with betel. I also encountered horsemen, mounted on pretty, spirited little animals, richly caparisoned and covered with bells, ambling along, while a troop of attendants, covered with dust and sweltering with heat, ran after them. Light carts, drawn by a couple of small oxen, trotting along rapidly and noisily, were here and there to be seen. Occasionally a large elephant passed majestically by. On this side were numerous processions to the pagoda, marching to the sound of music; there, again, was a band of ecclesiastics in single file, seeking alms, draped in their yellow cloaks, and with the holy vessels on their backs....The entire population numbers about 12,000 souls.
World Heritage Status
This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 1, 1992 in the Cultural category.
Take your time to soak in the magnificent views over the plains below.
Now you are ready for lunch at a local restaurant and some chill out time in a hammock.
Before returning to Phnom Penh, stop to take a look at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center, also located in Oudong.
Don’t forget to see the impressive jade Buddha, the mummified monk and the brightly painted walls telling the story of the Ramayana, the epic Sanskrit poem that decorates many pagodas seen around the country.
On the way back to Phnom Penh, stop to visit the village of Kompong Luong, famous for its silverwork. Once the royal port for Oudong, the village has been home to generations of silversmiths. You can watch cups, bowls and boxes being crafted by the hard working villagers before continuing your journey back to the capital.
Tour Ends
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