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Preah Vihear

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City
—°1
Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
ℹ️

Practical info — Preah Vihear

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Start your journey to the Preah Vihear temple very early to avoid the intense midday mountain heat.
  • You must present your original passport to buy the temple entrance ticket.
  • At the base of the mountain, you are required to hire a local 4x4 or motorbike taxi to negotiate the steep road to the ruins.
  • Consider staying in the nearby town of Sra'em, which is closer to the temple than Preah Vihear city itself.

🍽 Food

🍽
Grilled Chicken (Sach Moan Ang) with Rice

A filling staple found at small eateries near the temple base.

🍽
Khmer Sour Soup (Samlor Machou)

Enjoy this tangy soup at traditional guesthouse restaurants.

🍽
Fresh Coconut Water

Buy from vendors at the mountain base to stay hydrated.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Tbeng Meanchey Market

Explore the provincial capital's market for authentic snacks and everyday goods.

🛍
Temple Souvenir Stalls

Pick up small carved wooden trinkets near the entrance of Prasat Preah Vihear.

🧘
The Cliff Edge of Prasat Preah Vihear

Stand quietly at the peak for panoramic, expansive views over the plains.

🧘
Local Pagodas in Tbeng Meanchey

Sit in the shaded courtyards for a moment of reflection.

Preah Vihear, commonly known as Tbeng Meanchey, is the capital city of Preah Vihear Province in northern Cambodia. Situated along the banks of the Sen River, the city serves as a crucial administrative and commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural plains. The province is globally renowned for the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 100 kilometers north of the city on the Thai border. Tbeng Meanchey itself has seen steady growth, reflecting Cambodia's post-conflict development while maintaining its role as a gateway to ancient Khmer architectural sites. The local economy is primarily driven by rice farming, forestry, and increasingly by mining activities, specifically iron ore extraction. Improved road connectivity via National Road 62 has significantly integrated the city with the national trade network and other provincial centers.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C262830302928272626262625
Rain mm562965147172238239258104227

Geography

Population
24,380 (2026)
Coordinates
13.80000, 104.98330

Facts

  • Capital of Preah Vihear Province
  • Located on the banks of the Sen River
  • Gateway to the UNESCO Preah Vihear Temple
  • Significant center for iron ore mining
  • Commonly known as Tbeng Meanchey
  • Major hub for rice and timber industries

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Phnom Dek Iron MinePhnom Dek Iron Mine9 km · NEExplore →
Tmatboey Ibis SiteTmatboey Ibis Site11 km · SExplore →
Prey Lang ForestPrey Lang Forest16 km · NEExplore →
Sambor Prei KukSambor Prei Kuk28 km · EExplore →
Phnom SantukPhnom Santuk31 km · EExplore →
Kampong ThomKampong Thom33 km · EExplore →
Phu Chong Na Yoi NP WildlifePhu Chong Na Yoi NP Wildlife34 km · NWExplore →
Preah Vihear TemplePreah Vihear Temple38 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Preah Vihear (1)

Kampong Pranak Market🎭 culture

Kampong Pranak Market is a traditional Cambodian commercial center offering daily necessities and fresh foods in the Preah Vihear region.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Preah Vihear Temple located?
On the Thai border atop the Dangrek Mountains, about 100 km from the town.
Is Tbeng Meanchey town touristy?
Not very, it mostly serves as a base for trips to the temple or Koh Ker.
What is Koh Ker?
A former capital of the Khmer Empire featuring an impressive stepped pyramid.
Do you need a passport for the temple?
Yes, foreigners must present their passport when purchasing tickets.
How to get up the mountain to the temple?
You must switch to a 4x4 vehicle or a motorbike taxi at the base of the mountain.
Preah Vihear: where is it located?
Preah Vihear is located in Cambodia.
Preah Vihear: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Preah Vihear: why is it worth visiting?
Preah Vihear, commonly known as Tbeng Meanchey, is the capital city of Preah Vihear Province in northern Cambodia.
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History & landmarks

Oudong — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
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Oudong was the royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 to 1866.

More places

Phnom Dek Iron Mine — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
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One of the country's largest known iron ore deposits, whose extraction is intended to support heavy industry.
Tmatboey Ibis Site — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Tmatboey Ibis Site
An internationally recognized conservation area in northern Cambodia, known for its successful efforts to preserve endangered ibis species.
Preah Vihear Temple — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Preah Vihear Temple
A majestic Hindu temple complex spectacularly situated on a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains along the border with Thailand.
Koh Ker — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Koh Ker
An abandoned jungle city and former capital of the Khmer Empire, dominated by a massive step pyramid.
Dangrek Mountains — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Dangrek Mountains
A sandstone mountain range forming the natural border between Cambodia and Thailand.
Prey Lang Forest — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Prey Lang Forest
Prey Lang Forest is one of Cambodia's largest remaining lowland forests.
Sambor Prei Kuk — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Sambor Prei Kuk
Archaeological site and former capital of the Chenla Kingdom, renowned for having the oldest temple structures in Cambodia.
Phnom Santuk — Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Phnom Santuk
A wooded hill that represents a significant religious site in central Cambodia.