Booking Partner Best Deal

Wat Bo Pagoda

Wat Bo Pagoda

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • Wat Bo Pagoda, close to the Siem Reap River on the east side, is one of the oldest in Siem Reap and a peaceful place to escape and take a break from touring the major temple sites of nearby ...

OVERVIEW

Wat Bo is one of the oldest pagodas in Siem Reap, Cambodia and has a number of well-preserved wall paintings from the 19th century. Although it is a Buddhist temple some of the wall paintings describe the famous ancient love story of Rama and Shita, the strongest man and the most beautiful women of all times. Still today the royal families of the Southeast Asian countries claim to be descendants of Rama. Anyhow, these wall paintings describe a Hindu story that is most remarkable in a Buddhist temple. Wat Bo temple also contains a large collection of Buddha statues that you will find behind the main Buddha.

Video Travel Inspiration

Wat Bo pagoda was built in the 18th century and is therefore the oldest pagoda in town. The wall paintings in the Vihear are very special because they don't only present religieus scenes but also scenes of Cambodians daily living. It is only a pitty that the wall painting aren't in such a good condition. To keep them for many more years they should be restored. 
In Wat Bo you have also like in Wat Damnak a public school. Around lunch time and late afternoon you see the children running out of the school when the bell rings. Wat Bo has also it's own radiostation and Buddhist highschool where the monks can complete their education. 

Immersing yourself in a culture sometimes requires getting away from the tourist honeypots. Wat Bo, which gives the area of town its name where a hub of backpacker accommodation can also be found, is a quiet pagoda worth a stop if you’re interested in connecting more with Cambodia’s spiritual side.

The country may be Buddhist, but this 18th century pagoda is particularly notable for its detailed wall paintings portraying Reamker, the Cambodian version of one of the great Hindu epics, Ramayana. The mural montage of intricate Khmer art is painted finely on the walls. Though for some pieces time has evidently taken its toll, many are still well preserved. That said, not all can be viewed easily and not just because it’s gloomy inside, but because you’d need to be on stilts to see up high.

The patchwork of paintings is especially interesting here as it also depicts daily life and shows how scenes such as market shopping has little changed over the passage of time. You will also spot foreigners painted in the some hundred odd scenes, such as a row of French soldiers – there are some eyebrow raising outfits to be seen, as well as customs such as smoking suspect substances…

Wat Bo is located on the east side of Siem Reap River and gives Wat Bo Area its name. Cross the Siem Reap River on the ‘Wat Bo Bridge’ next to La Residence d’Angkor and just follow Samdech Tep Vong Street. You need to cross the River Road Achar Sva Street as well as Wat Bo Road and then continue straight until you reach Wat Bo Pagoda.

Pagodas and monks welcome visitors and tourists. Please always remember to not disturb prayer or eating times, women are not allowed to touch monks, bow slightly in the presence of older monks, don’t point soles of feet or fingers towards monks or Buddha statues, sit with feet tucked behind rather than crossed, hats off in the monastery grounds, take off your shoes in the building, speak softly, ask before taking pictures, don’t enter closed buildings without permission, contribute what you can to the donation box.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Cambodian Countryside Cooking Class

from Siem Reap

4 Hours

Cambodian Countryside Cooking Class

Sample traditional Khmer cuisine and get hands-on in the kitchen with this 4-hour, expert-led Cambodian cooking class from Siem Reap. With numbers limited to 12, enjoy an authentic small-group ...

Apsara Theatre Show at Angkor Village

from Siem Reap

1 Hour

Apsara Theatre Show at Angkor Village

After a full day of touring the temples of Angkor, enjoy a relaxed evening of entertainment and delicious food. With this Apsara Theatre ticket you can experience traditional Khmer culture through ...

Cambodia Family Package Tour with Horse Riding

from Siem Reap

4 Days

Cambodia Family Package Tour with Horse Riding

The half-day horse riding tour through the countryside, scenic rice fields and tourist-free temple ruins is the highlight of this tour. And you also have the chance to have a half day tour to Tonle ...

Angkor Wat and Banteay Srey Temple Discovery Tour

from Siem Reap

2 Days

Angkor Wat and Banteay Srey Temple Discovery Tour

We will continue our tour and arrive at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom comprises of renowned Bayon and Baphoun temples originally made up of 54 towers and 216 faces of Buddhisatva ...

Angkor Wat Temple Sunrise Tour

from Siem Reap

Half-Day

Angkor Wat Temple Sunrise Tour

Watch the sun rise over the Angkor Temple to reveal the natural beauty of this area. Roam around and gaze across at the amazing scenery and unrivaled architecture. Stroll through the temple's complex ...

Siem Reap Amazing Tour by Tuk Tuk

from Siem Reap

Full Day

Siem Reap Amazing Tour by Tuk Tuk

Before starting the day tours, the driver or member will show you an itinerary about your tour. After purchasing the Temple Pass, your trip will cover the Small Circuit which includes Angkor Thom ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

Residence Indochine D'angkor

Siem Reap

Authentic Khmer Village Resort

Siem Reap

Reveal Angkor Hotel

Siem Reap

Damrei Residence & Spa

Siem Reap

King Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap

Sonalong Boutique Village & Resort

Siem Reap

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter