Introduction

Preah Vihear is located near Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, in Choam Ksan District. It stands on the edge of the Dangrek mountain range that straddles the Thai border. Preah Vihear Mountain is 800m by 400m, and is very steep on the Cambodian side, but slopes gently towards Thailand.

Travel

No buses are available to Preah Vihear Province, though shared taxis do run on the arduous road between Kompong Thom and T’bang Menchey. There are three ways to get to Preah Vihear:

From Cambodia: the ancient road through Svay Chrum is now open to tourists and at Dang Rek mountain there is a stairway leading to the crest of the hill. The second way, also from Cambodia, is via Road C1 which was constructed by the Khmer Rouge. The third way is from Thailand. There is now a crossing close to the temple on the Thai side of the border, making it accessible from Bangkok.

Leave your passport at the border for the duration of your visit. The temple can be reached by crossing the Cambodia-Thai border from Ubon Ratchantani Province in Thailand.

Nowadays, most local people and vendors ascend the mountain by Road C1 because it is easier.

Money and Banking

Bring all the money you will need with you, as it is not possible to withdraw, exchange or change money in Preah Vihear town.

Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple is 405km from Phnom Penh, and 108km from the Provincial town of Preah Vihear.

Access is via road No.211 to the Choam Ksan District. Preah Vihear Temple was known as “Se Khari Svarak” (power of mountain) in ancient times,. It was built in the late 9th and early 10th centuries under the reigns of four kings:

Preah Bat Yasovarman I (AD 889-910)
Preah Bat Suryavarman I (AD 1000-1050)
Preah Bat Suryavarman II (AD 1114-1150)
Preah Bat Jayavarman VI (AD 1080-1108)

The architectural grandeur of Preah Vihear is comparable with almost any other temple in Cambodia. Its location on the crest of a mountain range, with commanding views over much of northern Cambodia, puts Preah Vihear in a league of its own. The experience is absolutely memorable. The temple has four levels and four courtyards, and also has five Gopuras, or entrance pavilions sometimes surmounted by a tower. Preah Vihear temple was handed to Thailand by the French in 1954, but was eventually returned to Cambodia by an International Court in June 1962. The area was long-held by the Khmer Rouge and was heavily mined. In the early 1980s, it became the site of one of the world’s forgotten atrocities. Thailand forcibly repatriated thousands of Khmer refugees who had fled Pol Pot. They were made to cross the border into Preah Vihear’s minefields where many were killed.

The temple is open from 8.00am - 4.00pm.

King’s Residence
The king had a residence at Preah Vihear where he would pay homage to the mighty God. The residence has two wings, which were probably shelters for pilgrims. The main temples were used to worship high-ranking supreme divinities, and this mighty group of buildings represents the center of the temple complex.

The Naga Courtyard
The paved courtyard is 7m wide by 31.8m long. From here, a stairway leads up to the first level Gopura. The stairheads are in the form of seven-headed snakes, called Ngu Suang, and these face north towards the Prasat (tower). The heads and tails of the nagas on both sides look like ordinary snakes, and characterize an early example of this type of sculpture. The head portion of the naga on the west side is impressive because it is carved from a single, solid stone.

The First Level Gopura
This pavilion looks Greek in its architectural style and has an elevated cross-plan, rebates and triangular lintels over its doorways. There are also stone lions at each doorway.

The Front Stairway
This is the main passage is on the north side. The stairway is 8m wide and 78m long. The first flight has 162 steps, and at the first landing, there is a large stone lion statue on a stone block. Another flight of 54 steps is 4m wide and 27m long, and leads up to the second landing, which also has a stone lion statue.

Other Temples and Attractions in the Province
As well as Preah Vihear temple itself, there are other temples, sites and resorts worthy of note in the Province:

Koh Ker Temple: Koh Ker is situated near Sra Yong Cheung Village, 72km from Preah Vihear town, and was the capital of the Angkorian Empire for 23 years. The Koh Ker site also contains 38 smaller temples in various styles.
It stands in the highland around Kork Koki, and was built by Preah Bat Jayavarman IV between A.D. 921 and 942. It is a mountain temple, and has seven decks rising to 35m high, and it looks like it belongs in South America. It is possible to climb Koh Ker, but the wooden ladder and steps are dizzying.

Oas Bak Kam Temple: The temple is located at Bac Kam Village, Chhean Muk Commune in Tbeng Mean Chey District, 17km from the Provincial town of Preah Vihear. The pagoda covers an area 400m x 1000m. Local visitors usually visit the pagoda during the holidays or national festivals.

Bakan Temple: Located in Ta Seng Village, Ranaksei Commune in Sang Kum Thmey District, it is 105km from the Provincial town. Access is via National Road No.12. Ba Kan is a cultural site that is rarely visited by tourists.

Steung Ksach Resort: Steung Kasch is a nature resort located on the River Sen near Thmey Village, Kampong Pra Nak Commune in Tbeng Mean Chey District. It is 3km from Preah Vihear town via rough road. The resort mainly serves local visitors, especially those who live in Preah Vihear. Activities include swimming and boating during national festivals. Preah Vihear Province has 228 ancient temples:

- 108 temples in Ku Len District
- 16 temples in Sang Kum Thmey District
- 55 temples in Cham Ksan District
- 18 temples in Chheb District
- 11 temples in Ro Vieng District
- 11 temples in Chey Sen District
- 09 temples in Tbeng Mean Chey District

Accommodation and Restaurants

The town of Preah Vihear town offers limited accommodation. The 243 Guest House offers pleasant fan rooms with two beds, and attached bathroom. 10.000-15.000 riel/night. Khmer food served. Helpful staff.