In the 6th century, King Yasovarman I (889-900) began work on the main shrine dedicated to Shisa. As a result of spiritual development, increased political prestige and economic growth, the temple was naturally reflected in the temple, which underwent more than 300 years of consultation, with the agreement of renovation under the successor of King Suryavarman II (111500) changing the nature. The temple is the most magnificent Khmer temple of all time. This ranking is the result of the best carvings in the site, which demonstrate the highest standards of unique Khmer architecture.
Under the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907, the border between Cambodia and Thailand along the Dong Rak mountain range, following the judgment of the Hague, officially found that Preah Vihear Temple was in Cambodian territory.
Preah Vihear Temple is located in a pleasant environment with attractive countryside, east of the central part of the Dangrek mountain range.
It is located on a massive cliff about 625 meters above sea level in Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia, 625 kilometers from the capital Phnom Penh. It is also located near the Cambodian-Thai border.
What to see at Preah Vihear Temple
The temple has four floors and four courtyards, with five gopuras (entrance pavilions sometimes with towers).
The royal palace or gopura is on the third floor.
This group of buildings was the residence of the king when he came to worship the Almighty, and the two wings were shelters for pilgrims. The main temple was used for high-ranking deities; this group of magnificent buildings is considered the center of the entire temple.
Front stone steps: The main road is to the north. The staircase is 8 meters wide by 78 meters long. The flight of steps has 162 steps. At the first landing is a large stone statue on a block of stone. Another flight of 54 steps, 4 meters wide and 27 meters long, leads to the second landing, which is decorated with stone sculptures.
Nagaraj Hall: This stone platform is 7 meters wide by 31.8 meters long. From here, the staircase leads to the first level of Gropura. The head of the staircase is in the shape of a seven-headed snake called Ngoc Suong, facing north towards the temple. The head and tail of the dragon on both sides look like ordinary snakes, characteristics and early examples of this type of animal figure. The dragon head on the west side is particularly impressive, as it is made of a single solid stone.
First-tier gopura: This is a pavilion in the Greek architectural style with a cross plan on the elevation and a rotating base on each gable. Stone lions are placed on each gable.
Getting to the temple
The temple can be reached by crossing the Cambodia-Thai border from Ubon Ratchanatani province in Thailand. Currently, visits are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The grandeur of its site
For its magnificent location, perched on the edge of a large cliff and with commanding views over northern Cambodia, Preah Vihear Temple is difficult to see in its entirety. The experience is truly a memorable one – a series of climbs for the better part of a kilometer. The ornate gopuras and wealth of decorative detail really amaze one’s imagination.
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