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Preah Vihear at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Province Name | Preah Vihear |
| Type | Province |
| Area | 13,788 km² |
| Population (2024) | ~195,000 |
What Preah Vihear Is Famous For
Prasat Preah Vihear UNESCO clifftop temple, Koh Ker ancient Khmer capital, and vast protected forests
Famous Places and Attractions
Prasat Preah Vihear UNESCO World Heritage Site, Koh Ker Temple Complex ancient Khmer capital, Rovieng Waterfalls, Chep Wildlife Sanctuary
Tourism
~130,000 visitors/year
Food and Local Cuisine
Bamboo sticky rice, smoked and dried forest meats, wild honey, Samlor Korko vegetable soup, highland stream fish
History of Preah Vihear
Prasat Preah Vihear was built in the 9th to 12th centuries by successive Khmer kings and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Its spectacular clifftop location on the Dangkrek Mountains made it a powerful religious and strategic site. The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 triggering a brief military standoff with Thailand. Koh Ker served as the capital of the Khmer Empire from 928 to 944 AD under King Jayavarman IV.