budget travel asia

If you are thrilled and fascinated about the archaeological treasures and mystique of the Angkor Wat through its depiction in popular media, and are yet to learn more about what Cambodia has to offer, than you would be thrilled to know that there is even more wonders to discover. The Preah Vihear Temple, located in the province with the same name next to the Siem Reap province, where the Wat is found, is one of the most important historical attractions in the country. The Preah Vihear Temple is located on the very edge of the northern frontier of the country with Thailand.

The foundations for the Preah Vihear Temple were probably laid even earlier than the Angkor Wat itself during the reign of Khmer Emperor Yasovarman I during the 9th century. As time went on, the construction of the temple was taken on by his successor Suryavarman I, and was not completed until the era of Suryavarman II, who also built the Angkor Wat. In the manner of many temples found in Cambodia, the Preah Vihear is built on the top of a cliff called Pey Tadi with a height of about 525 meters. The cliff is among the Dangrek Mountains, which separate Cambodia and Thailand around this point.

The Preah Vihear Temple was built in honor of the Hindu deity Shiva, and given its grandeur you can tell that it was a special temple of its time. The temple like traditional Hindu temples is built on an elevation, with a massive stone staircase leading to it, with no less than 162 steps. But probably your first sight of the temple will be that of one of its Gopuras, or elaborate entrance platforms, which stand prominent welcoming the visitors. In fact, these Gopuras have become a symbol with which the Preah Vihear Temple is widely recognized.

The architecture and structure of the Preah Vihear Temple will leave you awestricken. The temple is built with four layers and also contains four courtyards. Among the features of the Preah Vihear Temple, which the tourists really look forward to, the Palace on the third floor and the Nagaraj Courtyard are the most important. The Nagaraj Courtyard is particularly interesting with the beautiful seven-headed snake sculptures, as this part of the temple is dedicated to snake, one of the symbols associated with Shiva. But nothing can compare to the breathtaking view of the Cambodian plains from the temple cliff, which you should not miss on your trip.

As mentioned earlier, the Preah Vihear Temple is located just on the border of the border of Thailand and Cambodia, and it is worth noting that it has actually been in the middle of a bitter border dispute between the countries over which country gets to keep this historical asset, which really tells you about its importance. In 1962, the International Court of Justice put an end to the row by awarding the site to Cambodia. However, you can also access this wonderful site from the Thai border. Wherever you may be in the world, but if you are interested in the wonders of the Khmer Empire, then a trip to the Preah Vihear Temple is a must, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.