Wat Langka, Phnom Penh Overview

Wat Langka is a colourful Buddhist temple located in the heart of the city of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The temple, which gets its name from an order of monks from Sri Lanka, was initially built to store sacred Buddhist scripts and writings. One of those rare monuments to survive the Khmer Rouge, it is a popular attraction among the tourists visiting Siem Reap for its vibrant architecture and the massive collection of ancient Buddhist holy writings.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Wat Langka is early in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is pleasant.

What to wear

As with the other temples in Cambodia, it is expected that tourists dress appropriately. Women need to cover their shoulder at all times and wear knee-length attire. Sleeveless shirts and shorts aren't also allowed for both men and women. The rules are strictly followed, and you might be denied entry by the guards if you fail to obey them.

Wat Langka History & Significance

Constructed in 1422, Wat Langka is one of the five original Wats or temples of Phnom Penh. The temple served as a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, who resided here. The temple, fortunately, didn't come under the wrath of the Khmer Rouge for being a storehouse for inscriptions, thus becoming one of the few monuments in Cambodia to have survived with minimal damage.

Today Wat Langka acts as a central library more than a temple, being home to religious Buddhist writings collected from around the world. Tourists can find groups of monks meditating, learning these scripts and practising other things in the adjoining learning centre and monastery. Travellers can also join these monks in one-hour silent meditation sessions that take place every day during the early morning and late evening.

How To Reach Wat Langka

Wat Langka takes about 25 to 30 minutes to reach from the city centre of Phnom Penh. It is just 5 minutes away from the Independence monument, to the east of Norodom Boulevard so that you can combine the visit with this attraction. You can rent a motorbike for about 8 USD per day to get there. Or you can hire a Tuk-Tuk for about 10 USD for a round trip, which can be shared. The price also includes waiting charges. It takes about 40 minutes to reach on foot.