Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple is an ancient Hindu temple built during the period of the Khmer Empire in the Preah Vihear province, Cambodia. Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Preah Vihear is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east. On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.