The Mekong River

About the Mekong
Mekong River Ports
Visit Angkor Wat on a Mekong River Crusie

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the Mekong River

Along the Mekong River and nearby you can find these amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some will be included in your river cruise itinerary, but some may require some creative travel planning by your River Cruise Artist in order to visit.  Learn more below about these UNESCO Sites and the history you can experience when you visit them. Let River Cruise Your Way take you away to the history around the Mekong River.

Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura

The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, “the temple in the richness of the forest” in the Khmer language, has been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th centuries. The property consists of more than 100 temples, ten of which are uniquely octagonal. Decorated sandstone elements in the site are examples of the pre-Angkor decorative tradition, known as the Sambor Prei Kuk Style. The art and architecture that developed here became models for other parts of the region and lay the ground for the unique Khmer style of the Angkor period.

Angkor

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The Angkor Archaeological Park contains the exceptional remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the popular and famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings. This is a favorite for any river cruise vacation on the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Temple of Preah Vihear

Located on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The Temple consists of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases that dates back to the first half of the 11th century. Its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is very well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is notable for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation.

Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape

The Champasak cultural landscape, including the Vat Phou Temple complex, is a very well-preserved planned landscape more than 1,000 years old. It was shaped to express the Hindu vision of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending for miles. Two planned cities on the banks of the Mekong River are also part of the site, as well as Phou Kao mountain. The whole site represents a development ranging from the 5th to 15th centuries, mainly associated with the Khmer Empire.

Your Mekong River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Mekong River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.