The 90-kilogram Maitreya Buddha statue was crafted in 1904 under the orders of King Sisowath.
The Emerald Buddha kept here is made of Baccarat crystal, distinct from the jade Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.
The silver floor tiles were largely preserved through the Khmer Rouge era because the regime kept the pagoda as a symbolic national treasure.
The temple grounds contain the ashes of King Norodom Sihanouk, housed in a golden stupa.
The Reamker mural, spanning the gallery walls, is one of the longest continuous mural paintings in Southeast Asia.
The pagoda is known as Wat Preah Keo Morakot, meaning 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha' in Khmer.
The Silver Pagoda, officially known as Wat Preah Keo Morakot, is located within the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh and serves as the country's repository for national treasures. Its name derives from the over 5,000 silver floor tiles, each weighing approximately 1 kilogram, that cover the interior. The temple houses the Emerald Buddha, a 17th-century Baccarat crystal statue, and the Maitreya Buddha, adorned with 9,584 diamonds. The walls of the surrounding gallery feature a detailed mural of the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana epic. The structure underwent a major reconstruction in 1962, commissioned by King Norodom Sihanouk. It functions as a site for royal ceremonies and houses royal ashes in various stupas and chedis within the grounds. The architecture blends traditional Khmer design with structural elements updated during the 20th-century renovation. Visitors can view royal relics, including gifts from foreign dignitaries, stored within the temple hall.
The exterior staircase and the ornate entrance gates, which allow for a view of the temple's traditional roof structure.
Carry a sarong or scarf to cover knees and shoulders, as strict dress codes are enforced.
Remove your shoes before entering the main temple building and leave them on the designated racks.
Focus on the gallery murals, which provide essential historical and cultural context for Khmer mythology.
Do not attempt to touch the artifacts or the silver floor tiles. Avoid engaging with unauthorized 'guides' who may approach you outside the palace gates.
Occasionally closed to the public during state functions or royal ceremonies.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; hats and sunglasses must be removed inside the temple; no photography allowed inside the main building.
