Prasat Preah Vihear
Temple Hilltop Hindu temple on Cambodia-Thailand border
Prasat Preah Vihear sits on a limestone escarpment in northern Cambodia; the ninth-century Khmer temple draws visitors for carved galleries, extensive cliff-top views and its contested border history.
Prasat Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple complex perched on the edge of the Dângrêk mountain range in northern Cambodia. It occupies a dramatic cliff-top position and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
The site consists of a series of sanctuaries, staircases and courtyards laid out on an elongated north-south axis along the escarpment, providing wide views over the Cambodian plains below. Visitors commonly note the temple’s linear arrangement of structures and the prominence of carved lintels and sandstone construction as highlights of its architecture.
The complex was developed by the Khmer empire during the Angkorian period, primarily between the 9th and 12th centuries, and was originally dedicated to Hindu worship with later Buddhist additions. In modern times the site has been the focus of cross‑border attention because of its location close to the Cambodia-Thailand boundary.
The temple sits on the Dângrêk escarpment in Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia, close to the Thai border and well above the flat plains that stretch to the south.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008 for its outstanding architecture and dramatic cliff-top setting.
How to Get to Prasat Preah Vihear #
Prasat Preah Vihear sits on a cliff on the Cambodia-Thailand border and is reached by road from the surrounding provinces. Visitors commonly travel by 4x4 or tour vehicle from Siem Reap or from Preah Vihear town; the approach involves driving on provincial roads to the temple access road and then a short climb/approach walk up to the complex. Many tour operators in Siem Reap run day trips that include overland transport and the final ascent to the site.
Tips for Visiting Prasat Preah Vihear #
- Aim for an early morning visit to Prasat Preah Vihear to enjoy cooler temperatures and the best light over the plains - the hilltop temple gives expansive views westward into Thailand at sunrise.
- Allow time for the approach and stairways up the ridge: the site is spread along a steep escarpment, so move deliberately and follow on-site signage to respect restricted areas and conservation work.
- Check current opening times and any visitor requirements with local authorities before you travel - access has been sensitive at times because of the site's border location, so confirm practicalities in advance.
Best Time to Visit Prasat Preah Vihear #
The ideal time is the cool, dry season (November-February) when roads and viewpoints are at their best.
Weather & Climate near Prasat Preah Vihear #
Prasat Preah Vihear's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 17°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1604 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain.
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March
March is warm, feeling like 28°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (183 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (237 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (254 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (290 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (329 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (149 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain.
