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Preah Vihear Temple
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The imposing mountain temple of Prasat Preah Vihear has the most dramatic location of all of the Angkorian monuments perched atop the cliff face of Chuor Phnom Dangrek, toweing 550m above the plain below. The view from this most mountainous of temple mountains are breathtaking.
Prasat Preah Vihear was built by a succession of seven Khmer kings beginning with Yasovarman I (reigned 889-910) and ending with Suryavarman II (reigned 1112-1152), builder of Angkor Wat. The temple ruins of Preah Vihear were again opened to visitors' 1998, thanks to an agreement between Cambodian and Thai governments and disbanding of the Khmer Rouge forces. The agreement was a ncesessity because Preah Vihear Temple is a Cambodian nation landmark that is much easier to access from Siem than from Cambodia.
The temple complex has been restored, but many of the entranceways and walls lean precariously and a two-story-high pile of stone blocks in the last curtyard, some ornately carved, have yet to be assembled. It's a fascinating piece of history to explore. The walkways and temple buildings extend to an area of over 800 meters. The original stairs and stonelined pathways leading to the temple complex are in good condition and unfortunately lined with souvenir stands.
If you walk to the far end of the ruins, you will have a sweeping panoramic view of the Dangrek Mountains as they zigzag in sw-tooth fashion along the Cambodia-Siem border and of the thickly foested jungles and plains that seem to stretch out forever into Cambodia. Standing on the temple grounds, one can see for miles into Cambodian territory.
Preah Vihear Temple successfully re-belonged to Cambodia in the 1960s, under the leader of an intelligent king, Norodom Sihanouk.
Koh Ker Temple
Koh Ker is a remote temple complex established by Jayavarman IV (AD 928-942) as a rival capital to Angkor in the 10th century. It may have been the capital for just 15 years, but Jayavarman IV was determined to legitimise his rule through an extensive building program, and lect behind 30 major temples and some gargantuan sculpture seen today in the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
Thet most impressive temple at Koh Ker is Prasat Thom, a giant pyramid spanning seven levels, offering major views of the surrounding country. Another stately structure
here is Prasat Krahom, or the Red Temple, named after the pinkish Banteay Srei style stone from which it is built.
Beyond the main temples hide many other smallerr sites, some of which are found along the road to Beng Mealea. Prasat Damrei used to be guarded by large elephant statues.
Preah Khan Temple
North-east of the walled city of Angkor Thom, about 3,5 km from the Bayon, is the rambling 12th century complex of Preah Khan. It was Jayavarman VII's first capital before Angkor Thom was completed and means 'Fortunate City of Victory'. It is similar in ground-plan to Ta Prohm, but great attention was paid to the approaches: one of the avenues is lined with carved-stone boundary posts. Holes in the inner walls of the central sanctuary of Preah Khan suggest they may once have been decorated with brass plates - an obvious target for looters. The complex includes a hall built to house the king's dancers - an unusual Khmer architectural extra. A stele was discovered at the site glorifying the builder, Jayavarman VII and detailing what it took to keep the place ticking over. The inventory mentions that for Preah Khan's upkeep, it required the services of 97.870 men and women, 444 chefs, 4.606 footmen and 2.298 servants.
Little os known for ure about the history of the Preah Khan (to distingush it from the temple of the same name at Angkor, it's sometimes suffixed with the province name "Kampong Thom" or Preah Khan Kampong Svay by scholars, or Prasat Bakan by locals. The earliest buildings here ar attrivuted to Suryavarman I, and it's believed that Jayavarman VII spent time at Preah Khan before moving to Angkor. The famous carved stone head of the king displayed in the National Museum in Phnom Penh was found here.
Preah Khan is connected to Beng Mealea and Angkor by an ancient Angkorian road with elaborate stone bridges spanning the many rivers, including 77-meter Spean Ta Ong with its 15 arches and two guardian nagas, a sight to behold in the midst of the jungle.
Preah Khan is about 130km east of Siem Reap on some miserable roads. Access is by 4WD or torbike during the dry season only, and can be attempted from Siem Reap, Kampong Thom or Tbeng Meanchey. It really requires a two-day trip with an over-night in the nearby village of Ta Seng, but can just about be accomplished as a day trip from Kampong Thom or Tbeng Meanchey. Food and drinks are available in Ta Seg, 'but it's necessary to bring a mosquito net and hammock.
Preah Vihear Map
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