Preah Vihear is set atop a 547 metre spike of the Dongrek Mountains. Located on the Cambodian/Thai border about 140 kilometres northeast of Siem Reap there has been a long running dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over ownership due to the fact that the temple entrance is accessible from just inside the Thai border but the central sanctuary stands on Cambodian soil.

Built around the same time as Phanom Rung as a tribute to the Hindu God Shiva, this is one of the most astonishing religious monuments to be seen in Cambodia and arguably more spectacular than its more esteemed counterpart Angkor Wat. The steep climb to the summit is rewarded with rest stops at the various temple platforms and the stunning views from the top are truly worth the climb.

Preah Vihear is a historical landmark and bears witness to centuries of worship, and, in recent years, was as a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. After a number of years of instability visitors are again permitted to the region which is home to this UNESCO world heritage site and a key attraction for those visiting Cambodia.