Preah Vihear Province

Preah Vihear Province is quite a big northern province of Cambodia. Its capital is called Phnom Tbeng Meanchey. The province itself is named after the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear, what is definitely. Phnom Tbeng Meanchey is the mountain rising to 600m and 5 km south-west of Preah Vihear town.

Tample in Preah Vihear Province

1.    Phnom Pralean Temple (25 kilometers from Tbeng Meanchey) is on a 180 maters small hill located in Krang Dong village, Preah Kliang commune, Tbiang Meanchey district. The laterite and sandstone temple, built to worship Hinduism, is 160 meters long and 60 meters wide. Surrounding the temple is a beautiful nature and abundant fresh airs where a good place to visit is.

2.  Krapum Chhouk Temple (45 kilometers south of Preah Vihear town ) is located in Romdos commune, Rovieng district. The laterite and sanstone temple was built in the late 10th century to worship Hinduism.

1.   Prasat Bakan or Preah Khan Kompong Svay (105 kilometres southwest of the Preah Vihear town) Bakan (105 kilometers southwest of Tbeng Meanchey and 75 kilometers north of the Kompong Thom town, Stoung) is a group of temples located in Ta Siang village, Ronakse commune, Sangkum Thmei district on a plain that was occupied by a former worship place of a Khmer king. Also known as Preah Khan Kampong Svay Temple, the temple is surrounded by two ramparts-inside and outside rampart. Inside each rampart, there are many other temples such as Neang Peou and Dangkao Baodos temples. The temple was likely a royal palace and worship place. According to historians, the site used to be a hiding place of King Jayavarman VII before he ascended to the throne in A.D. 1181 based on the fact the style of some construction is similar to the style of Bayon and Ta Prohm temples. Outside the rampart, there are many other temples such as Preah Damrei, Preah Thkaol, Ta Prohm, Muk Buon and Preah Stung temples. Looking through into the large area beyond the wall of Prasat Bakan (Bakan Temple) in Preah Vihear province, laterite stone refracts the bright sunshine, enveloping the temple in a heavenly light. Prasat Bakan is situated in Ta Seng village, Sangkum Thmey district, Preah Vihear province. In 2006, the Ministry has been cooperating with provincial authorities to set up a team to protect the Bakan or Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple.

1.    Koh Ker (49 kilometers west of Tbeng Meanchey) was once an ancient capital of Cambodia. Located in the Chhork Koki highland near Srayong Cheung village, Srayong commune, Kulen district, the Koh Ker complex of temples was built by King Jayavaraman IV (A.D. 928-942). Koh Ker temple is 35 meters high, and its design resembles a seven-stepped stupa. The temple faces west toward Angkor city.

So far, 96 temples have been found in Koh Ker. They include: Dav, Rumlum Bey, Beung Veng, Trapiang Prey, Dey Chhnang, Srok Srolao, Lingam, Kuk Srakum, Trapiang Ta, Sophy, Krahom, Andoung, Ang Khna, Teuk Krahom, Damrei Sar, Krarab, Banteay Pichoan, Kuk, Kmao, Thneung, Thorn Balang, Rohal, Chamneh, Sampich, Trapiang Svay, Neang Kmao, Pram, Bat, Khnar Chen, Klum, Chrab, Dangtung, Prang, Kampiang. These temples were not constructed near each other. Today, many of them are no longer standing, and some are buried in the ground.

The Koh Ker complex is along a trail that is about 3 kilometers long. The first temple, Neang Khmao sits atop a small hill on the east side of the trail. The temple, which faces west toward Angkor city, is made of sandstone. It is 20 meters high and resembles a stupa. The temple terrace is 2 meters high and divided into three decks. The temple is surrounded by a laterite rampart, 44 meters square and 2 meters high.

About 700 to 800 meters north of Neang Khmao temple is another temple called Pram temple. Constructed of laterite and sandstone, it sits on a small hill surrounded by bushes. The main body of the temple is in good condition. Some of the temples are: Prasat Kuk is made of sandstone and has a sculpture of lotus petals on the temple fronton. Although the door frame is damaged, most of the temple is in good condition. Prang Prasat is constructed of sandstone and bricks.

About 300 meters farther to the west is Koh Ker temple. From a distance, the temple looks like a small hill, because it is covered by forest. Up close, however, it is actually a 35-meter-high stupa made of sandstone. At the top of the temple, there are large statues of garudas supporting Shiva. Nearby, there is a 4-meter square well, now completely covered by grass. According to local villagers, if a coconut is dropped into this well, it will appear in the pond near Neang Khmao temple. On the top of temple, and from there visitors have an excellent view of the surrounding landscape, in particular, Phnom Dangrek, Phnom Tbeng, and Kulen district. To the north of Koh Ker temple is another temple, Damrei Sar temple, but it is heavily damaged.

 Preah Vihear (three hours from Siem Reap, and two hours from Preah Vihear town) is a set of Khmer ruins near the Thai border which are accessible from Thailand and Cambodia. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It is regarded as the most spectacularly-situated Angkor-era Khmer site. Built from the ninth to the 12th centuries atop a peak of the Dangkrek Mountains, it occupies a triangular plateau rising from the Thailand border to a prow-shaped promontory. Preah Vihear Temple is awesomely perched 1,700 feet above Cambodia’s northern plains, near the Thailand.