“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Preah Vihear

Location

Reminded to Preah Vihear Province the temple named Prasat Preah Vihear is the first thing people think and talk about. Preah Vihear Province is not the tourist destination popularly but this place is the point for whom who loves the wild nature without the effects of the smokeless industry.
Preah Vihear is located in the north of the country. It is bordered with Laos and Thai Lan in the north, with Stung Treng to the east, with Kampong Thom to the south and with Siem Reap to the west. The infrastructures in Preah Vihear province is in the plan of the government. It is promised that the province is to become a wonderful tourist destination for tourists in the future.


  • Districts: The capital of Preah Provicen is Phnom Tbeng Meanchey. There are 6 districts in this province. The districts are Chey Saen, Chhaeb, Choam Khsant, Kuleaen, Rovieng and Sangkom Thmei Districts.
  • Climate: Preah Vihear province has its climate as such as other provinces in the country. The rain time in the province is from May to October. The rest time it is dry. The average temperature in the province is about 27 C degree. 
  • Transportation: It is possible to transfer by land to the province and from it to other provinces.
         The distance (by airlines) is for reference as below:
         From Preah Vihear to Ha Noi, Vietnam: 788 km
         From Preah Vihear to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: 404 km
         From Preah Vihear to Vientiane, Laos:  501 km
         From Preah Vihear to Bangkok, Thailand:  470 km
         From Preah Vihear to Bangkok, Pattaya:  446 km
         From Preah Vihear to Phnom Penh, Cambodia:  274 km
         From Preah Vihear to Sihanouk Ville:  403 km
         From Preah Vihear to Stung Treng:  131 km
         From Preah Vihear to Kratie:  177 km
         From Preah Vihear to Kampot:  371 km
         From Preah Vihear to Kampong Thom:  129 km

 

Landscapes

  • Preah Vihear Temple: or called Prasat Preah Vihear Temple. It is said that the temple is famous more than the same name of the province. People hear about the temple before knowing where is located the province. Preah Vihear Temple has its great architecture and it is one of the world heritage sites by its value about the years, cultural meaning and historic of building. The temple is located in the countryside to the east of Dongrek Mountains and nearly the border area between Cambodia with Thailand.
  • Wat Peung Preah Kor: The modest worship place and has its nice architecture. The place is located in Tbeng Meanchey District. It is near the area of Tbeng Mountain so it has the wonderful view by the natural landscape around. Wat Peung Preah Kor is believed that this is the scared place so there are many people who to visit frequently.  
  • Kor Beng Temple: the temple is located in Tbeng Meanchey District also. The original temple was built in the very long time ago. It is considered the temple original was built in 10th century. However that old architecture was damaged by the time. And now the temple is the new one that was rebuilt in 1988.
  • Krapum Chhouk Temple: the temple was built in 10th century. It is one of the many years old temples in Preah Vihear Province. The temple is located in Rovieng District and far from the center of Tbeng Meanchey Center more than 40 km.
  • Neak Buos Temple: this is not so famous place for foreign tourists because the road that leads to the temple is not easy. However for the local people, this is one of the scared temples. It was built a long time ago. The temple belongs to the area of Choam Khsant District and far from Tbeng Meanchey provincial town more than 70 km.
  • Noreay Temple: this is one of the oldest temples in Preah Vihear. It was built in 7th century and damaged by the time that goes by. It is same with Neak Buos Temple that it is not easy to reach to by the difficult of the way to come although it is nearer than Neak Buos Temple. From the center of Tbeng Meanchey Town, it takes you more than 30 km to transfer. The temple belongs to Choam Khsant District also.
  • Phnom Pralean Temple: the temple has its natural landscapes in the most in Preah Vihear. Phnom Pralean Temple is located in a hill. The old architectural temple is impressed by the green natural picture around. Phnom Pralean Temple belongs to Tbeng Meanchey Town. It is far from the center more than 20 km.     

And there are many other famous destinations in the cities.

Festivals:

  • Independence Day: the event is happened in 09 November each year in Preah Vihear and all provinces in Cambodia.
  • Victory Day: the event is happened in 08 January each year in Preah Vihear and all provinces in Cambodia. .
  • Khmer New Year: it is happened from 13 April to 16 April in Preah Vihear and all provinces in Cambodia.

And there are many other unique festivals and events in the province.

Local specialties

Preah Vihear is not the strong develop tourist province so the main things here that you can find are the local specialties without strong influence from the foreign cuisine. You can explore the local food in the strong Khmer style of cooking. There are the dishes based on seasonable local food. It brings you the chances for tasting and exploring this point in the very interesting mood.