Oudong Mountain, Cambodia: Overview, Photos, Best Things to Do, Tours

Home » Destinations & Things to Do » Attraction » Oudong Mountain, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Oudong Mountain, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A breathtaking view of Cambodia from atop Oudong Mountain.

Oudong Mountain situated in the north-western part of Kampong Speu Province.

Oudong Mountain located at the foothill of the mountain Phnom Udong, about 40 km northwest of the modern capital Phnom Penh.

Oudong Mountain was royal residence and Cambodia's capital for more than 250 years.

Oudong Mountain was founded by King Srei Soryapor in 1601.

Oudong means noble or excellent, and Meanchey means victory.

Oudong Mountain overview

Cambodia, a country of temples with distinctive architecture, has recently become a popular tourist destination for international visitors. The magnificent architecture of palaces and temples hides fascinating stories. Visitors can learn about each structure’s history and formation process while walking around and admiring it. We can’t visit Cambodia without seeing well-known attractions such as the Angkor Complex and the Bokor Plateau… And, Oudong Mountain is a lesser-known but irresistible destination due to its historical significance.

From the 17th to the 19th centuries, Oudong, also known as Udong, Odongk, and Oudong Meanchey, was Cambodia’s former capital. “Oudong” and “Meanchey” are Chinese words that mean “noble” and “victory,” respectively. This was the Khmer Kingdom’s last capital before relocating it to Phnom Penh. Despite being Cambodia’s ancient capital, Oudong lacks the number of ruins found in other ancient cities. Oudong, not far from Phnom Penh, appears to fade into obscurity as the forest encroaches.

Oudong Mountain was founded in 1601, 35 kilometers northwest of the modern capital of Phnom Penh, by King Srei Soryapor. Tourists can take a taxi to Oudong in about 15- 20 minutes. You can also take a tuk-tuk or rent a car to get around. Oudong Mountain is now a district of Kampong Speu Province in Cambodia.

Highlights of Oudong Mountain

Oudong Mountain was once an important territory of Cambodia’s Kingdom. It was the Royal residence and the capital of Cambodia for over 250 years. It is also strategically located in national independence wars. The architectural style of Oudong is not as refined or eye-catching as that of other Cambodian temples. It is tucked away in a small corner of the sprawling Phnom Penh and gives the impression of a forgotten capital. However, it is great historical values that breathe new life into Oudong. Because of its historical significance, it has become a popular tourist destination. Furthermore, the natural scenery in this location is a new tourist attraction.

Almost all visitors are interested in learning more about Cambodia’s wartime history. People often associate Oudong Mountain with the Queen of Chan Lap, a woman who made significant contributions to Cambodia’s protection in the past.

The war, specifically US imperialist bombs, is to blame for the damage to Oudong Mountain’s architecture. After some time, Oudong was officially restored, but some areas remained in ruins. The entire historic architecture cannot be restored. As a result, Oudong Mountain can no longer retain its former splendor.

This distinctive architecture is easily visible when we visit Cambodia. Humans must sometimes wonder how their forefathers were able to design and build such magnificent structures. The State is currently renovating Oudong’s ancient capital in order to preserve a historical landmark, develop a distinctive feature of Cambodian tourism, and bring haunting historical stories of the country to travelers.

You will be surrounded by majestic nature and towering stupas when you visit Oudong Mountain. The mysteriousness and pristine beauty of an ancient capital will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on you and any other tourists. There are still some religious relics on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list here. They include the tombs of Khmer kings as well as religious artifacts dating back over a century. The large Buddha that was damaged during the battle with the Khmer Rouge army is also well-known at this location.

How to travel to Oudong Mountain?

Oudong Mountain is approximately 35 kilometers from the center of Phnom Penh. There are multiple modes of transportation available to reach this historical mountain, including taxis, private car transfers, local buses, cycling, and even a tuk-tuk, one of Cambodia’s most popular transfer vehicles.

—————————————————————————————————————————-