Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple is a Khmer Hindu temple complex situated on a cliff of the Dângrêk Mountains on the Cambodia-Thailand border, notable for its long axis of sanctuaries leading toward a main cliff-top sanctuary. Construction dates mainly to the 11th and 12th centuries and the complex served religious and ceremonial functions.

What visitors also find - Stone reliefs and architectural details typical of classical Khmer temple construction, plus accessible viewpoints and terraces that demonstrate the temple’s relationship to the landscape. Access involves a road and a climb up approaches leading to the main complex.

Built across the 11th and 12th centuries during the height of Khmer architectural activity, the temple was dedicated primarily to Hindu worship and was maintained and extended by subsequent Khmer rulers. The site’s border location has made it politically sensitive in modern times, but it remains an important example of classical Khmer temple architecture.

Sited on the Dângrêk mountain escarpment in northern Cambodia, the temple occupies a high, cliff-top position that overlooks the plains to the north and east and is accessed by road from the surrounding provinces.

• Dating and dedication: Principal construction dates to the 11th and 12th centuries and the complex is dedicated primarily to Hindu worship, notably to the god Shiva.
• Cliff-top location: Perched on the Dângrêk escarpment, the temple sits at the top of a steep cliff and includes dramatic views down to the plains, which factor into both its ceremonial layout and strategic importance.

What to See #

• Temple axis and sanctuaries: A linear sequence of sanctuaries, terraces, and causeways aligned along a ridge on the Dângrêk mountain escarpment with the main sanctuaries at the cliff edge.
• Access stairway and viewpoints: A long ceremonial stairway and viewing platforms that lead up to the main sanctuary and overlook the plain below.