Oudong Ancient Capital Tour

Starting at the base of the stairs that lead to up to the ridge is a memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge. It contains bones collected from mass graves that were found in the area. Nearby is a small pavilion with painted murals showing the atrocities that were committed during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Take the stairs to the top of the ridge where you will find a modern temple that contains a relic of Buddha, believed to be an eyebrow hair! Continue along the path to three large stupas that contain the ashes of former monarchs. The first is Damrei Sam Poan, next is Ang Doung with coloured tiles and the last is Mak Proum, with its four Buddha faces pointing in each cardinal direction.  Beyond Mak Proum are three small shrines, two which contain Buddha images and the third that housed a solid gold statue of Preah Ko - the sacred bull, the original which was looted by the Thais long ago.

The most impressive is the remains of Arthaross Temple, a massive enclosure housing a large Buddha that was destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Despite the battle scars the arm and part of the right side of the original Buddha remain.