Things to See and Do - Kratie, Cambodia

Wat Vihear Lao - Kratie

Wat Vihear Lao is 36 km (1h:30mn) from Provincial Town. Wat Vihear Lao, Kratie is one of the popular sightseeing destinations of the city. There are many ancient sightseeing spots in Kratie, which have been standing here for ages. The town of Kratie is the capital of the province by the same name. The provincial capital is located on the banks of Mekong River. The stretch of river is famous for the group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins that are found here. According to studies there are as few as 170 dolphins left in the upper Cambodian Mekong area. Various quaint and ancient tourist attractions in Kratie are present. A popular one among them is the Wat Vihear Lao, Kratie.

Wat Vihear Lao in Kratie is listed among the historical sites and buildings in the area. It is located in Sambour Village in the Sambour District. The structure is set about 36 kilometers away from Kratie. To reach the Wat Vihear Lao you will have to travel approximately for an hour an half. Sambour is a settlement dating back to the pre-Angkorian era. The temples here house colorful murals that tell stories of nature. Also depicted in the murals are traditional Buddhist stories. The famous 100 Column Pagoda is present here. Though the original structure no longer stands, the reconstructed building is no less beautiful.

Wat Vihear Lao, Kratie is present on the site of Sam Phu Borak Capital of the Chen La time. In this area you will find 4 Buddhist temples facing the 4 directions. Among these is the Wat Vihear Lao, Kratie. This temple faces the west direction. The other temples facing the other directions are Vihear Sar Sar-100, Vihear Kork Keut and Vihear Kork.