Preah Vihear Province lies in the north of Cambodia, in Southeast Asia. It is best known for the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site set dramatically on a clifftop. For visitors, the province is above all a place to come for that temple and for the landscape around it.
The temple on the cliff
Preah Vihear Temple sits high on an escarpment, and its position is much of what makes a visit memorable. Approaching it means climbing toward the stone structures, with wide views over the surrounding country as you go. The site is listed by UNESCO, which recognises its heritage value and its setting together.
What a visit offers
- The temple itself, set on its clifftop and reached by a long approach
- Open views across the northern Cambodian countryside from the escarpment
- A quieter pace than many of the country's better-known sites
Because the province is in the north, it suits travellers who want to combine heritage with a journey through less-visited parts of Cambodia. Plan your route with some care, as travel distances in this part of the country can be significant.
Preah Vihear Province is a destination for visitors interested in ancient architecture, dramatic settings and the wider landscape of northern Cambodia. Go for the temple, and let the surrounding countryside shape the rest of your trip.
