PREAH VIHEAR: According to the press release from the National Authority of Preah Vihear, Preah Vihear welcomed 5,801 visitors to the temple site in July, including 478 foreign tourists. Nearby Koh Ker Temple was exclusively visited by domestic tourists, totalling 4,158 entries, a sizeable increase from the 3,000 recorded in June.
Preah Vihear Temple is one of Cambodia’s three official World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO. It is located in the Dangrek Mountains, which form a natural border with Thailand. The site’s history dates back to the 9th century before it was eventually developed as a shrine to the Hindu goddess Shiva in the 11th century.
Koh Ker is a smaller and more remote temple complex that is about halfway between Preah Vihear Temple and Siem Reap. Built during the 10th century, it was briefly a Khmer Empire capital. Unfortunately it was heavily looted upon European contact and its stolen artifacts remain in public and private collections, such as in the Musée Guimet in Paris.
On the morning of August 9, 2023, the National Authority of Preah Vihear announced the renovation of an 8,200 meter road that leads to the Koh Ker temple, which was previously only accessible by a long and dangerous climb. The road is meant to facilitate travel to the temple and allow visitors to enjoy the natural landscape of the surrounding area.
