🛕 Wat Ek Phnom

Wat Ek Phnom presents a striking visual contrast: the ruins of an 11th-century Angkorian temple sit directly beside a modern Buddhist pagoda featuring a massive 28-meter seated Buddha statue. The ancient temple, built by Suryavarman I, features carved lintels depicting scenes from the Churning of the Ocean of Milk (the same scene as the famous Angkor Wat bas-relief). While much of the temple has collapsed, several fine pediments and carvings remain visible among the scattered stone blocks. The juxtaposition of ancient ruins with the modern pagoda and its oversized Buddha makes for unique photo opportunities and illustrates Cambodia's continuous Buddhist heritage.