What to see in Silver Pagoda
Searching for national treasures and seeing it with your own eyes is now possible by visiting the most notable royal temple known as the Silver Pagoda or commonly known as Wat Preah Keo. This is known to be a very special place in Cambodia for it boasts different Buddha statues regarded as one of the most significant treasures of the country,
and one of which is the Emerald Buddha. Apart from it being a house of jeweled and royal Buddha statues, the Silver Pagoda is likewise the official sanctuary and holy place of the king of Cambodia.
There are still many interesting facts about this place that sparks interest from many tourists, and among those remarkable and fascinating information are as follows:
•magnificence and grandiose – The temple of the Emerald Buddha was then made of wood in the year 1962. But as time passed by, the entirety of the place was re-erected and restructured into concrete and marble with more than 5000 silver tiles making up the entire flooring of the temple. Not to mention that each silver tile weighs an approximate mass of 1 kilo.
• Richness in terms of historical aspect – The Silver Pagoda has remained to be one of the most famous and favored historical places in Cambodia as it housed many ancient artifacts and jewels. Aside from this; the pagoda is the only temple that has remained intact and unharmed all throughout these years.
So for those tourists who are planning to visit this historical temple, an entrance fee of $3 is required along with $2 fee if you’re going to bring along a digital camera and $5 for video cameras. However, taking shots is only permissible outside of the temple and proper attire must be observed at all times.
Located in Royal Palace, the flooring of Silver Pagoda is inlaid with 5329 solid silver tiles, which is why this structure gets its name and a great destination to see in Cambodia.
What to see in Silver Pagoda
The original version of the pagoda was formally a wooden building and built in 1866. It was later rebuilt in marble and concrete and a floor that consists of over 5000 tiles in silver that each weighs 1 kilo. The latest version of the pagoda is famous for its many national treasures that include jewelled and gold Buddha statues.
The most notable of the statues is the famous life-sized Buddha in solid gold at 90 kg, decorated with thousands of diamonds and made in 1907, while there is also a further Buddha statue (the “Emerald Buddha” of Cambodia) that is believed to be made of baccarat crystal.
Beyond the major Buddha statues, there are a variety of unique jewels and artefacts that share the pagoda, including several solid gold figurines that depict the story of the Buddha.
The endless cabinets inside the Silver Pagoda showcase precious objects, icons and statues, but not all of these have explanations in English. Using an English-speaking guide on this trip can help those wishing to learn more about the objects and their significance.
It may be possible to sneak a peak at the 5000+ gleaming silver tiles near the entrance – although most are covered and hard to see, because the floor is protected to avoid environment and foot traffic damage. Plus, the staircase that leads up to the Silver Pagoda is made entirely of Italian marble.
The gardens of Silver Pagoda make a pleasant surprise where it is possible to see large-scale models of other temples, such as the well-known Angkor Wat temple.
Tips
All visitors to the royal palace grounds must abide by appropriate dress rules. This means it is necessary to keep the shoulders and knees covered. This can include a long skirt, three-quarter length trousers, a T-shirt, or other top with sleeves. Plus, it can benefit to wear shoes that are quick and easy to take off because they must be removed (convenient cubby holes for storing shoes are provided outside) before entering the Silver Pagoda.
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