28/07/2025
Preah Vihear Temple
Preah Vihear Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located atop a 525-meter cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains of Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia. It was constructed primarily during the 11th and 12th centuries by the Khmer Empire, notably under Kings Suryavarman I and II. Architecturally, the temple is unique among Khmer temples for its long north–south axis, consisting of a series of sanctuaries connected by pavements and staircases extending over 800 meters. The site is well-preserved due to its remote location and is renowned for its exquisite carved stone ornamentation and its adaptation to the natural environment.
The temple sits near the Cambodia-Thailand border and has been the center of a long-standing territorial dispute. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia, a decision reaffirmed in 2013, which also extended Cambodian sovereignty over the surrounding land. Despite this, tensions have periodically escalated between the two countries, notably spikes in 2008 after its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with occasional clashes and military action near the site as recently as July 2025.
Due to ongoing border tensions, travel advisories recommend avoiding the area around Preah Vihear Temple for safety reasons.