"This temple is located on top of a hill. There is a small museum here, and it’s a great place to catch the sunset, as well as take in wonderful views. The Wat Leu is surrounded by a high stone wall. There is a three headed white elephant beautifully carved out of the stone wall with three statues of Buddha on the three heads of the elephant. "
The “Wat Leu” is one of the five main wats in the beautiful port city of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. These wats are Buddhist temples and are scattered around the city of Sihanoukville. Although Sihanoukville is an important port city and is known for its beautiful beaches and islands along the coast, the beautiful wats are a tourist attractions in Sihanoukville. The “Wat Leu” is situated on the Sihanoukville mountain and is only 6
kilometres away from the provincial town.
Sihanoukville is also known as Kampong Som. From the capital Phnom Penh is it a bus ride towards the south west of 3 hours. You can also reach the town by boat from Koh Kong.
Because the temple is located at the top of a hill, it’s commonly known as “Upper Wat”. Wat Leu is surrounded by a beautiful landscaped forest. The top of the hill at the Wat Leu offers a wonderful views of the town Sihanoukville and the islands.
The Buddhist temple ”Wat Leu” is not just a religious and historic wat, it’s also significant from the architectural point of view. The temple in Sihanoukville is surrounded by a high stone wall. There is a three headed white elephant beautifully carved out of the stone wall with three statues of Buddha on the three heads of the elephant. The golden coloured temple with thatched roofs and traditional design resembles the pagodas. In front of the staircase, that leads to the temple's door, is a large statue of lord Buddha, which is made of black coloured stones.
Three headed elephant
As you leave the temple and climb down the Sihanoukville mountain, you must pay a visit to Wat Kraom. This is also known as the “Lower Wat”. This temple is located along Independence Beach right at the foot of Sihanoukville Mountain. The Wat Kraom is located amidst the large landscaped forest. From this point you have a panoramic view at Sihanoukville. The temple itself is also ideal for photography. The
tranquillity and sacredness of the place attracts the travellers as well as those who are in search of peace.
The Wat Kraom
Apart from Wat Leu, Sihanoukville and Wat Kraom, tourists can also pay visits to Wat Otres, located behind Otres Beach and the 2 wats in Ream National Park. The Outer Wat is situated on the Road number 4 to Phnom Penh and the Inner Wat is located amidst the forest in Ream National Park.
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