Preah Vihear Province

Introducing Preah Vihear Province

Bordering Thailand and Laos to the north, vast Preah Vihear Province – much of it heavily forested and extremely remote – remains desperately poor. This is in part because many areas were under Khmer Rouge control until 1998, and in part because of the catastrophic state of the infrastructure – there’s not a single paved road in the entire province!

However, Preah Vihear is home to three of Cambodia’s most impressive legacies of the Angkorian era. Prasat Preah Vihear, high atop the Dangkrek Mountains escarpment, is truly stunning, though for now this temple is much easier to get to from Thailand than from the provincial capital, Tbeng Meanchey. The trip from the Cambodian side involves a tough overland journey and, in the wet season, the distinct possibility of a night in the forest. The mighty Preah Khan isn’t as far north but is reachable only in the dry season. Fortunately, there’s good news regarding the 10th-century capital of Koh Ker, now an easy toll-road drive from Siem Reap (via Beng Mealea).

Hidden Cambodia (www.hiddencambodia.com) operates dirt-bike tours to these temples during the dry season. For something more upmarket, try the temple safari offered by Hanuman Tourism (www.hanumantourism.com).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009