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A province in the far north of Cambodia bordering Thailand, Preah Vihear is named after the famous Prasat Preah Vihear temple located in the province. Meaning 'sacred sanctuary,' Preah Vihear honors the ancient Hindu temple and is one of Cambodia's three most impressive heritage sites from the Angkor period.
Today, the province is an impressive destination for tourists because of its ancient temples and distinctive Cambodian culture.
The province is an impressive destination for tourists (Cre: Roma Lim)
The history of the province is closely linked to the rise of the Khmer Empire and complex border disputes. The area was once an important religious and administrative center of the Khmer Empire, featuring monumental structures such as the Prasat Preah Vihear temple.
Built in the 9th century to honor the god Shiva, the temple represents the height of Khmer civilization. However, after the decline of the empire, Preah Vihear also experienced historical ups and downs, particularly due to complex border disputes with Thailand.
Later, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia. Today, Preah Vihear is not only a tourist attraction but also a proud symbol of the Cambodian people.
Preah Vihear is not only a tourist attraction but also a proud symbol of the Cambodian people (Cre: Tapestry - CyArk)
Like many other provinces in Cambodia, Preah Vihear's attractions are mainly temples, historical and natural sites.
Preah Vihear Province is divided into seven districts, with Preah Vihear City serving as the capital. The province is home to many villages and the majestic Dangrek Mountains, which tower over the area and form the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
Preah Vihear is also one of the provinces that is part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO for its unique ecosystem surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake. Prasat Preah Vihear Temple is the top attraction in the province. You can choose to stop or stay in Preah Vihear City or Sra'em Town, one of the quieter areas, offering great views and friendly locals.
Preah Vihear's attractions are mainly temples, historical and natural sites (Cre: roma.lim)
Read more: Cambodia excursions
There are several ways to reach Preah Vihear: by car, bus, or motorbike, depending on your starting point in Cambodia.
From Siem Reap, you can travel by car or bus through Anlong Veng district to get to this province. The distance between the two provinces is about 200 kilometers and takes around 3 hours by car. The road system in Cambodia has been upgraded to make travel more convenient; however, both routes become gravel roads as you approach the Dangrek Mountains.
If you are traveling from Phnom Penh, you will need to go through Kompong Thom to reach Sra'em. From there, travel 30 kilometers from Sra'em to Preah Vihear. The total travel time is about 6-7 hours each way, so it is possible to make a round trip in one day, but it is quite challenging due to the long distance. You can also reach this area from Kampong Thom via NH 64, which is about 155 kilometers south of Tbeng Meanchey. The road in this area is fairly good and convenient.
You can use various modes of transportation from major cities to Preah Vihear (Cre: There Will Be Asia)
The country has a tropical monsoon climate, which affects the weather in Preah Vihear province. The year-round tropical climate makes Cambodia ideal for tourism.
The cool season lasts from November to March, with temperatures ranging from 22-28°C. The hot season extends from March to May, with temperatures ranging from 27-35°C, while the rainy season lasts from May to October, with temperatures ranging from 24-32°C and humidity reaching 90%.
When planning a trip to Preah Vihear, Cambodia, you should avoid the last two months of the rainy season, as rural roads can become impassable.
The best time to visit province (Cre: Mr Linh’s Adventure)
The Preah Vihear Temple, known as the "Temple of Temples," is also one of the remaining masterpieces of Khmer temples that still exists today.
With its special location, this site is not only a world cultural heritage and a popular tourist destination, but also a flashpoint in a long-standing dispute between Cambodia and neighboring Thailand.
Preah Vihear Temple was built in the 9th century to honor Shiva, the Hindu god of creation and destruction, along with the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. The temple was repeatedly renovated and expanded over the centuries by seven kings of the Khmer Empire.
Preah Vihear is located in the Dangrek Mountains, straddling the Cambodian-Thai border, with an architectural layout stretching 800 meters from the base of the mountain to the top on a north-south axis.
The Preah Vihear Temple is located in an area where the border between the two countries is unclear, making it a flashpoint of dispute between the two countries for decades. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
The Preah Vihear Temple, known as the "Temple of Temples" (Cre: siemreapshuttle.com)
Koh Ker, also known as Chok Gargyar, is a 10th-century temple complex and the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, located in the Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia.
The temple complex is situated in the middle of a forest and includes a total of 169 archaeological sites, including 76 temples, as well as civil structures, ponds, dykes, and ancient roads. It lies centrally among three other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cambodia: Preah Vihear, Angkor Wat, and Sambor Prei Kuk.
This site was recently officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site during a session held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Koh Ker, also known as Chok Gargyar, is a 10th-century temple complex (Cre: Travellez)
The Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple complex is another important archaeological site in the area. Believed to date back to the 11th century, it was the residence of kings such as King Suryavarman II and King Jayavarman VII.
The complex features a large baray (an artificial water reservoir), a common element in Khmer architecture. Impressively, an artificial island was created in the center of the baray to house a cross-shaped temple with a central tower.
Preah Khan Kompong Svay is also important for art and culture. On the baray temple of this religious site are the remains of a pyramid called Preah Damrei, which originally had four stone elephants displayed at the top corners.
The sculptures are very detailed; one of the elephants is now on display at the National Museum in Phnom Penh, and another at the Guimet Museum in Paris. Many of the most famous Khmer sculptures are believed to have originated at Preah Khan Kompong Svay.
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The Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple complex (Cre: Chris Travel Blog)
Preah Vihear is also one of the least populated provinces in Cambodia, and the people here are extremely friendly and approachable. Their main occupations are primarily agriculture and handicrafts.
Since Preah Vihear is a remote area of Cambodia, there aren’t many large restaurants. You can enjoy traditional Khmer dishes and some Thai specialties at local eateries or sample street food at the markets in the province.
You can enjoy traditional Khmer dishes and some Thai specialties (Cre: Cambo Ticket)
Since this is a remote area of Cambodia, there are not many well-known events and festivals for people to visit. To gain the best insight into local rituals, it is best to stay with local residents when possible. Major festivals often take place in April, especially Khmer New Year, one of the biggest events of the year. You should visit during this time to fully experience the atmosphere.
Major festivals often take place in April (Cre: The Star)
Preah Vihear is the province that most clearly reflects the spirit and beliefs of Cambodia as it is home to many ancient temples and unique Khmer architecture. Due to its historical and diverse significance, Preah Vihear has experienced many disputes in the past, which have impacted the lives of its people. However, today this province is a place you should visit to explore and appreciate the beauty of its heritage and the local way of life.
Hopefully, this article will provide you with more information about the beautiful land of Cambodia and promise a memorable trip.
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