Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Cambodia Kantuot Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple

This impressive clifftop temple was once at the center of an international custody dispute.

Kantuot, Cambodia

Added By
joel
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Preah Vihear Temple   សៀកហ៊/cc by-sa 4.0
Preah Vihear Temple   William Brehm/cc by 2.0
Preah Vihear Temple   Detlef Garbrecht/public domain
Preah Vihear Temple   Lawrence Murray/cc by 2.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Sitting majestically atop a perilous cliff among the Dângrêk Mountains, the Preah Vihear Temple is a gem of Cambodian temple architecture, although for a long time, many fought for this jewel to belong in Thailand's crown. 

A temple has existed on the site since the 9th century, but the elaborately detailed complex found here today dates back to around the 11th century. It was built by the Suryavarman kings who were replicating the glorious intent of the nearby temples at Angkor. While the temple buildings at Preah Vihear are not as glorious as those at Angkor, they were meant to represent the same holy pinnacle. The whole complex is set up in a long horizontal line along the edge of the cliff, comprised of multiple structures, each impressive in their own right. 

As the Dângrêk Mountains have borders belonging to both Cambodia and Thailand, the site's ownership became an issue between the two countries when the temple was rediscovered in the early 20th century. Both sides wanted to own the ancient site and its rich trove of artifacts, and the dispute even went to The Hague. In 1962, the matter was finally settled when the international court decided that the temple belonged to Cambodia, a ruling that stands today. 

Related Tags

Temples Ruins Territorial Dispute Borders

Know Before You Go

Although open from the Cambodian side, the Thailand side is often blocked.

Community Contributors

Added By

leiris

Edited By

hrnick, PathsUnwritten, alisonkyra, Meg

  • hrnick
  • PathsUnwritten
  • alisonkyra
  • Meg

Published

February 11, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preah_Vihear_Temple
  • http://wikitravel.org/en/Preah_Vihear
  • http://pathsunwritten.com/2014/01/29/preah-vihear-ruins-victim-to-conflict/
Preah Vihear Temple
Cause Way
Kantuot
Cambodia
14.391561, 104.680174
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew

Si, Thailand

miles away

Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai Hell Garden

Tambon Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Thailand

miles away

Kbal Spean

Phumi Khna Rôngvoas, Cambodia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cambodia

Cambodia

Asia

Places 30
Stories 10

Nearby Places

Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew

Si, Thailand

miles away

Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai Hell Garden

Tambon Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Thailand

miles away

Kbal Spean

Phumi Khna Rôngvoas, Cambodia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cambodia

Cambodia

Asia

Places 30
Stories 10

Related Stories and Lists

10 Unusual Border Feuds Around the World

List

By Meg Neal

10 Places Caught Up in Odd Border Disputes

geographic markers

By Meg Neal

Related Places

  • Turkey

    Ancient City of Magnesia

    These ancient ruins include a stadium dating back to 400 BC.

  • My Son Santuary temple

    Duy Xuyên District, Vietnam

    My Son Sanctuary

    Showcasing some of the best-preserved temples of the Champa Kingdom.

  • Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Hindu Temples of Rawalpindi

    Hidden among Rawalpindi’s modern buildings are the remains of dilapidated Hindu temples.

  • Nahwa.

    Nahwa, United Arab Emirates

    Nahwa

    A small United Arab Emirates territory within an Omani enclave within the United Arab Emirates.

  • Ghorpade Ghat

    Pune, India

    Ghorpade Ghat

    A set of stairs leading down to the Mutha River sits by the foundations of a former temple.

  • A 1,200 years old dilapidated temple with a water tank.

    Nagpur, India

    Karpur Baoli

    Locals say the water level in this 1,200-year-old tank never goes down.

  • 1915 Michigan border post

    Erie, Michigan

    Michigan's Lost Peninsula

    This small piece of Michigan is entirely surrounded by Ohio.

  • Trilithon at the southern temple

    Mġarr, Malta

    Ta' Hagrat Temples

    At more than 5,000 years old, these structures are among the oldest free-standing stone buildings in the world.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.