Wat Bo Temple
Wat Bo Temple
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
125 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
52
Average
30
Poor
2
Terrible
2
VickyRobinson
London, UK60 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I was staying nearby and popped in for a look around. Well what I didn’t expect was to be lucky enough to meet a local who went out of his way to show me around and explain everything to me !
I was then invited to have lunch with the locals and his family - I feel so lucky this was an amazing experience and such a beautiful place
I was then invited to have lunch with the locals and his family - I feel so lucky this was an amazing experience and such a beautiful place
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITomm
Edithvale, Australia75 contributions
Mar 2020
Wat Bo is North East from the Old Market, across the river. It is a bit dusty (as are most of the Monastery's in Siem Reap). GPS 13,21' 23.29631 103 51'41.0191 There were two or three main tourist highlights very worth browsing. The first is that this monastery has an area where temple reliefs, Buddha statues and ornaments are made (or practised to be made). You can watch wooden statues being carved or see plaster templates of architraves and columns. A second attraction is the "Path of Buddhas" - a long outside corridor of Buddha statues. A third is the cemetery area. Another area worth looking at was the Temple building - which at the time was being renovated - but care must be taken as the floor tiles can be easily cracked. Too, there are toilets available. Remember, as usual, that entering any buildings means shoes and hats off.
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulmp81
Western Australia, Australia88 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
I've visited this temple a few years in a row now and it is always a great visit. The monks are very welcoming, but please be sure to treat them with respect and have some cultural awareness. In my recent visit a tour group came barging into the temple during their afternoon chanting, they didn't remove their shoes and several of the female tourists touched the monks (a huge no no culturally speaking).
Highly recommend visiting if you are going to remember that this is an active temple, not a sideshow, if you are going to touch the monks, not remove your shoes, talk loudly and generally be obnoxious, please stay away and not ruin this experience for everyone else.
Highly recommend visiting if you are going to remember that this is an active temple, not a sideshow, if you are going to touch the monks, not remove your shoes, talk loudly and generally be obnoxious, please stay away and not ruin this experience for everyone else.
Written December 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rean d
Perth, Australia35 contributions
May 2016
Wat Bo is situated in Siem Reap itself, east of the river and is a functioning Buddhist temple and monastery built in the 18th century. It is easily accessible by bicycle or tuk-tuk in a few minutes from the main tourist areas.
Wat Bo Temple is a worthwhile addition to any Siem Reap itinerary. The painted murals in the temple date back to the 19th century and despite it being a Buddhist temple the murals depict Hindu scenes, including images of Rama and Shita. The old Wat or temple is the real attraction, apart from the many murals there is an impressive Buddha statue and a collection of other Buddha statues behind the main Buddha.
The architecture of the old temple is authentic and the grounds contain a cemetery and a crematorium pagoda. This is not a glitzy temple like so many in Indo China but is an authentic and historical, working temple.
There are many quiet shady spots to relax and catch the cool breeze.
Donation boxes are placed in the Wat and a small donation is asked as no entry fee is paid.
There is a large amount of construction on the outer edges were a new monastery and temple are being built and completed.
Remember to take your shoes off in buildings and to not disturb any ceremonies.
Wat Bo Temple is highly recommended for its murals, authentic old temple, general interest and proximity to Siem Reap's tourist areas.
Wat Bo Temple is a worthwhile addition to any Siem Reap itinerary. The painted murals in the temple date back to the 19th century and despite it being a Buddhist temple the murals depict Hindu scenes, including images of Rama and Shita. The old Wat or temple is the real attraction, apart from the many murals there is an impressive Buddha statue and a collection of other Buddha statues behind the main Buddha.
The architecture of the old temple is authentic and the grounds contain a cemetery and a crematorium pagoda. This is not a glitzy temple like so many in Indo China but is an authentic and historical, working temple.
There are many quiet shady spots to relax and catch the cool breeze.
Donation boxes are placed in the Wat and a small donation is asked as no entry fee is paid.
There is a large amount of construction on the outer edges were a new monastery and temple are being built and completed.
Remember to take your shoes off in buildings and to not disturb any ceremonies.
Wat Bo Temple is highly recommended for its murals, authentic old temple, general interest and proximity to Siem Reap's tourist areas.
Written May 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,110 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Wat Bo Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist monastery in Siem Reap. The temple has few visitors but nonetheless is worth visiting for its beautiful wall murals from the 19th century. It consist of a pagoda, a school and living quarters for the monks with quite a big temple ground. Situated across the river from the Royal Gardens, the temple also has a large number of Buddha statues. Ensure you are decently dressed for the visit. It was nice to sit and contemplate for awhile in this peaceful sanctuary.
Written June 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy&Gary
South Australia, Australia16,140 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Wat Bo which was built 425 years ago and is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Siem Reap; there is also a new Temple in there near the end of completion.
This was a very special visit for us. There is an area where antiques and art objects made from bronze, bone, silver etc are kept, including bones and skeletons thought to be over 1000 years old so Marom asked could we go in and look around, which we did.
Then an old man came over to us, he could not speak a word of English and he went over to the very old Pagoda and opened it up for us, including some windows so we would not be so hot.
We sat inside this amazing 425 year old Pagoda with him for about an hour asking him questions through Marom. I told him he had a beautiful smile; his reply was he had just got new teeth. This man was a monk for a long time, and then he left, married, had 9 children and has gone back to Wat Bo where he has been living for the last 20 years.
He is called a Master as he organizes everything that happens at Wat Bo. He invited my sister and I back for a special meditation event that afternoon in the Pagoda that only happens certain times of the year. Sadly it was our last day and we did not have time, but we will definitely go back next year.
151 monks live at Wat Bo and we watched the cooking process for lunch, very hard hot work on little wood ovens.
Wat Bo still also retains the traditions of a Buddhist Monastery by letting young and poor people come to take refuge, receive an education in traditional skills such as wood carving, hide carving, music and dance and be provided with food and a room in the dormitory.
This was a very special visit for us. There is an area where antiques and art objects made from bronze, bone, silver etc are kept, including bones and skeletons thought to be over 1000 years old so Marom asked could we go in and look around, which we did.
Then an old man came over to us, he could not speak a word of English and he went over to the very old Pagoda and opened it up for us, including some windows so we would not be so hot.
We sat inside this amazing 425 year old Pagoda with him for about an hour asking him questions through Marom. I told him he had a beautiful smile; his reply was he had just got new teeth. This man was a monk for a long time, and then he left, married, had 9 children and has gone back to Wat Bo where he has been living for the last 20 years.
He is called a Master as he organizes everything that happens at Wat Bo. He invited my sister and I back for a special meditation event that afternoon in the Pagoda that only happens certain times of the year. Sadly it was our last day and we did not have time, but we will definitely go back next year.
151 monks live at Wat Bo and we watched the cooking process for lunch, very hard hot work on little wood ovens.
Wat Bo still also retains the traditions of a Buddhist Monastery by letting young and poor people come to take refuge, receive an education in traditional skills such as wood carving, hide carving, music and dance and be provided with food and a room in the dormitory.
Written March 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan M
Tel Aviv, Israel15,593 contributions
Nov 2018
If you are at Siam Reap for more than 2 day's I'd recommend to visit this Temple.
We were at Siam Reap for 5 days so we decided to insert a break between visiting the tens of amazing old Khmer Temples.
Just to catch another aspect of Siam Reap and the actual living city.
So we visited this one, Wat Bo, and also Wat Preah Prom Rath or Wat Dam Nak (which will be reviewed here as well).
We did like it a lot, and as there were no tourists at all, it was even better, the atmosphere was quiet, serene, relaxing, no hustle bustle from hundred of tourists, no pushing, none stepping in front of my camera...
Yes, kind of an island of peace and a relaxing break walking slowly near the monks.
We were even lucky to listen to a rehearsal of a traditional band playing Cambodian music.
I have attached many pictures trying to give you an impression of what is awaiting you in this Temple, and if you like what you see, but more important, if you have the time ...
We were at Siam Reap for 5 days so we decided to insert a break between visiting the tens of amazing old Khmer Temples.
Just to catch another aspect of Siam Reap and the actual living city.
So we visited this one, Wat Bo, and also Wat Preah Prom Rath or Wat Dam Nak (which will be reviewed here as well).
We did like it a lot, and as there were no tourists at all, it was even better, the atmosphere was quiet, serene, relaxing, no hustle bustle from hundred of tourists, no pushing, none stepping in front of my camera...
Yes, kind of an island of peace and a relaxing break walking slowly near the monks.
We were even lucky to listen to a rehearsal of a traditional band playing Cambodian music.
I have attached many pictures trying to give you an impression of what is awaiting you in this Temple, and if you like what you see, but more important, if you have the time ...
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muguncjb
Chennai (Madras), India1,051 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
Approached Wat Bo Temple from Wat Bo road. While nearing saw some construction activities and unable find the main temple until getting closer. Then found the temple. Buddha main statue was inside along with stupas and ancient murals and articles.
This is one of the towns oldest temples and has a collection of well-preserved wall paintings from the late 19th century depicting the Reamker, Cambodia’s interpretation of the Ramayana.
Saw a monk inside. Also saw several small tables arranged for a feast or regular eating on one side of the temple. Outside the temple was a big metallic bell. I visited around 9:30AM and there were only a very few visitors. At 10 minute walking distance from here is the Wat Preah Prom Rath temple.
This is one of the towns oldest temples and has a collection of well-preserved wall paintings from the late 19th century depicting the Reamker, Cambodia’s interpretation of the Ramayana.
Saw a monk inside. Also saw several small tables arranged for a feast or regular eating on one side of the temple. Outside the temple was a big metallic bell. I visited around 9:30AM and there were only a very few visitors. At 10 minute walking distance from here is the Wat Preah Prom Rath temple.
Written January 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
georgemann
Chiang Mai, Thailand352 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
Buddhist temples in South East Asia are not just a religious retreat for the monks, but also an important community center. Which is why you will see children playing, relatives and friends visiting and consulting the monks, automobiles being blessed, dogs, cats, chickens and other creatures living out their lives. Wat Bo Temple is the closest temple to the apartment I am renting for my current stay in Siem Reap, so I drive my bicycle through the grounds fairly frequently and often stop to just relax or observe whatever activity is going on that day. Not too many tourists visit, but that is OK. If you do stop by, take a look at the old murals inside the main temple structure, the hundreds of small chedis, the old sala (meeting hall) and try sitting down and relaxing for a while.
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SzGabriella
Blanchardstown, Ireland71 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
Not really tourist place. The Temple has beautiful traditional painting and the windows and doors golden painted. I visited at lunch time and the monks were chanting in the dining area. Everyone brought their own plate for lunch. They invite me for lunch I had to sit on the floor with them. It was a fantastic experience, I never felt that such a calm atmosphere around me. After the lunch one of the monk brought me to Temple and around this area. Fantastic experience.
Written January 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wat Bo Temple, Siem Reap
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- Hotels near Wat Bo Temple:
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