Oudong (also romanized as Udong or Odong) is a town in Cambodia, situated in the north-western part of Kampong Speu Province. The town is located at the foothill of the mountain Phnom Udong, about 40 km northwest of the capital Phnom Penh. A mountain topped with the spires of stupas rears from the plain like a fairytale castle. This is Phnom Oudong, at one time an ancient capital.
As the capital, it was called Oudong Meanchey. Oudong means noble or excellent, and Meanchey means victory. From 1618 until 1866 it was home to a succession of kings, deposed from the former capital of Longvek by the invading Thais. The mountain itself runs from southeast to northeast, with a low saddle in the middle. Khmers say it has the shape of a Naga the magical multi-headed serpents that guard the Buddha. The temples are located on the mountain, which runs from the southeast to northeast, with a low saddle in the middle. Oudong is a monumental necropolis of royalty for the past kings of Cambodia.
Oudong was founded by King Srei Soryapor also known as (Barom Reachea IV) 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.
Legend has it that in the Arthross Temple (Temple of Eight Points), 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.
In the 18th century, locals say, a Chinese emperor sent his people out across Asia to identify potential threats. When they came to Oudong, they saw a mountain shaped like a naga, with a cavern on top of the Arthross end, and they observed the wealth and power of Khmer society. The Chinese told their emperor that the Khmers were already a powerful race, and should a naga appear through the cavern of Arthross, they would be strong enough to rule the world.
On top of Phnom Udong
The Chinese emperor did not want this, nor did he want a war. Instead, he asked the Khmer king if he could build a temple above the cavern, with the Buddha's face towards China in order to protect his empire. This was named the Arthaross temple, which means "eighteen corners", because there are 18 points, or corners, built into the temple's structure.
The ridge has an increasing number of shrines and several of the older ones are worth seeking out as you walk north. One of the first you’ll come to is Preah Ko, featuring a particularly appealing statue of Nandin, the sacred mount of Shiva. Worshippers pour water over the bull’s head, rendering the water holy, to then take home. Further north, Preah Neak contains a Buddha seated on a coiled naga, its multiple heads curved over to afford him protection. Easily recognized by the four faces that cap its spire, the pale-yellow chedi of Chet Dey Mak Prohm contains the ashes of King Sisowath Monivong (reigned 1927–41). Higher up the hill is the crumbling chedi Tray Troeng, built in 1891 by King Norodom for the ashes of his father, King Ang Duong (though there’s some dispute as to whether the ashes are really here or in the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh). Some of the glazed ceramic flowers that once covered the chedi can still be seen, but the local children used to sell them to tourists when they “fell off”, and now they have been replaced with modern alternatives.
Most visits start near the eastern end of the ridge, where a path allows cars to drive up to a small parking area. The flattened area is also the base for three stupas. From here, a stairway leads up along the ridge, past another chedi, before reaching the large, intricate, new chedi. Two more spires crown the highest peak of the ridge. Down towards the western end of the ridge are the remains of the thirteenth century temple, Preah Atharas. Not much of it is left after years of war.
At the base of the ridge is a new, large temple that also serves as a Buddhist study center. Some of the structures are quite impressive, although the main "attraction" is a mummified monk in a small chapel near the back of the temple.
What to do?
Oudong Mountain and Hills are highlights of trips to Oudong from Phnom Penh. On the top of the mountain, visitors can get the natural fresh air, great whole view surrounded and see ancient stupas dedicated to kings and royal families. The largest hill is called Phnom Preach Reach Throap (Hill of the Royal Fortune); it is claimed that a King hid national treasure there during a war with the Thais in the 16th century.
There a new stupa which also is a beautiful attraction, like Buddhist mausoleum, was designed according to traditionalKhmer architecture and adorned with authentically reproduced Angkorian decoration.
Other historical places are Veing Chase Pagoda (the former royal palace), Longvek city, Phnom-Reap castle or Prasidh mountain and Prasat Nokor Vimean Sour, a concrete replica of Angkor Wat.
Explore the local life is another interesting aspect of trips. Among them, Konpong Louang (Silver Craft Village) has been famous for its handcrafted products of pure silver which will be distributed to both local and foreign markets.
When to go?
The climate is tropical, with a monsoon season from June to October. Temperatures remain fairly constant. It is possible to travel year round.
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