Preah Vihear Temple

Temple was built in the late of 9th – 12th century by king Yasovarman I, king suryavarmanI &II. The temple perched mountaintop in the Dangrek mountain range near the Thai border, the magnificent temple complex of Preah Vihear sits facing a spectactular view of Cambodian countryside. The temple itself is long and comparatively narrow, displaying architectural and artistic features. Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Preah Vihear is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east. The temple gives its name to Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, in which it is now located

In 1962, following a lengthy dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership, a majority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ )in The Hague awarded the temple to Cambodia.

On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Generally requires at least a day overland trip from Siem Reap and back.