Preah Vihear Temple is located in Svay Chhrum village, Kantuot commune, Choam ksan district, about 108 kilometers in the north of Preah Vihear provincial town, Tbiang Meanchey. Preah Vihear province was created in 1964 by cutting the land from Stung Treng, Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces. The province is at The province is at the north of Cambodia, on the plateau that is rich in forests, mountains and streams.


Preah Vihear temple, which is 800 meters long and 400 meters wide, site a top the 625-meters-high Phnom Preah Vihear in the Dangrek Mountain range on the border of Thailand. The Cambodia side of the mountain is very steep, while the Thai side is gently rolling.

Preah Vihear temple is a culture and historical site. The temple was originally known as Sreisikharesvara, which means the power of the mountain. The temple was built over 300years in late 9th and early 12th centuries to worship Shiva Brahmanism by four kings:

- King Yasovarman 1(AD 889-900 or 910). The king built the central tower of Preah Vihear temple. King Yasovrman I built Yasodharapura city and preferred to build the temple on a natural mountaintop.

- King Suryavarman I (AD 1002-1050) The king built a long hall next to the central tower, the rampart and three gopuras. According to the temple inscription, the king prepared a ceremony to invite the god Patresvara who stay at Wat Pu ( now in Lao) to stay together with the god Sreisikharesvara to protect and take care of the Khmer Empire and its people.

-King Jayavarman VI (AD 1080-1150) The king built two libraries and repaired some parts of the temple.

-King Suryavrman II (AD 1113-1150) The King built a terrace with serven-head-nagas, statues of standing lions along the working path and some more naga staircases. He also prepared the inauguration ceremony for the temple and regarded it as worship place for all Kings. 

In the end of 2008, Preah Vihear Temple will be listed in the World Heritage by UNESCO.


The Royal Government is making more strenuous efforts to protect Preah Vihear Temple and establish infrastructure around this area. In order to fulfill some conditions requested by UNESCO such as the National road from Kampong Thom Province to Preah Vihear should be rebuild and completed in the end of 2008. 


At the same time, the National road from Battambang Province to Pailin City in distance of 80 kilometers should be also rebuild and finished in the same period.
According to the above Government's plans, tourists could continue their trip to Preah Vihear Temple from Phnom Penh through Kampong Thom then continue to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Temple before proceeding to Battambang Province by visiting Pailin City.


PAILIN:

Pailin lies 80km south-west of Battambang and only about 30km from Thailand. This small town near the border with Thailand, with its gem and timber resources, was long the economic crutch.


There are some interesting places such as :
Phnom yat: Phnom Yat is a cultural and historical site located in Pailin city. It is not only a holy place where people come to worship, but also the heart of Pailin city.

The mountain is 60 meters high, 700 meters long, 300 meters wide and covers 30,000 square meters. The top is accessible on foot or by vehicle. A staircase of 242 steps, each step about 25 centimeters high, was completed on Oct 13, 1998.
 

The site includes an old pagoda similar to Kola pagoda. It was built on the hilltop by the Kola people in 1922. There are many ancient structures on Phnom Yat, including big and small stupas and Asroms. The area hold more. Many kiosks, or small cottages, are available for visitors to relax in on the mountaintop.

 
Wat Rattanak Sopoan

About 50 meters from the foot of Phnom Yat is another pagoda, Wat Rattanak Sopoan. On the walls of the fence surrounding the pagoda is a bas-relief depicting the story of Churning of the Ocean of Milk which is similar to the wonderful bas-reliefs on the wall of Angkor Wat.


Phnom Koy:

Phnom Koy is located in Sangkat Stung Kach, Khan Saia Krao, about 20 kilometers north of Pailin city. Phnom Koy is a national site rich in forest and big lianas. A natural stream flows down this mountain.
 

O'Eb

OÉb is a natural site located in Sangkat O'Chras, Khan Pailin about 10 kilometers northwest of Pailin city along the road to Bo Yakha and Bo Tang Sour. It has a waterfall.


O'Tavao

O'Tavao is located in Sangkat O'Tavao, Khan Pailin, about 5 kilometers from Pailin city. It is a natural site rich in beautiful scenery and clean water, which flows from Phnom Khieu.
 

Preah Vihear Temple Tour from Siemreap