Discover: Banteay Srei Temple

Further outside the city is Banteay Srei, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Often referred to as the Citadel of Women or the Lady Temple, the temple is much smaller than other temples, with doors only four feet wide. Famous for intricate carvings throughout the site. It is worth the drive to experience the temple. One of the few temples not created by a monarch, it was built in the 10th Century by a scholar and counselor to the ruler of the time. Visiting Banteay Srei Temple was a key highlight of our trip to Angkor Wat.

Banteay Srei pre-dates Angkor Wat and Bayon by approximately. 250 years. Like most of the Angkor Wat complex, this site was hidden and overrun by nature until 1914, when it was rediscovered. The full restoration was completed in the 1930s, and further updates to protect the site were done in the early 2000s.

Remarkable for etchings and engravings covering the entire site and it’s red color. Built using distinctive red sandstone, a porous and easily manipulated material. The artists were able to create bas-reliefs similar to wood engravings.

We recommend getting an early start to avoid many of the tour buses and crowds of visitors. This will give you some quiet time and the best lighting to really see the incredible details. You can expect to spend one to two hours here. There is a small outdoor market with food and shopping for items created by local artisans. The bathrooms are numerous and clean, always a plus when traveling. Banteay Srei Temple is part of the Angkor Wat Pass, and no additional ticket is needed to visit. Read Discover Angkor Wat for details you need to plan your trip to visit all the temples.

• 2 Day Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour – this tour explores the main temples, Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom in one day. The second day takes you to the outer edges of the park, visiting several of the smaller temples, including Banteay Srei – the oldest temple within Angkor Wat.
• Banteay Srei, Pre-Rup & Ta Prohm Temples Private Tour – hotel pick up and drop off, explore the intertwined jungle of Ta Prohm, the sandstone temple of Banteay Srei and the majestic Pre-Rup temple. The personalized service of the private tour and guide gives you an inside look to the history of the temples. 
• Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean Jungle Walk and Ruluos Photo Tour – This full-day tour takes you through the Cambodian countryside to the oldest temple, Banteay Srei, to explore the intricate details and carvings in the early light. From there, you go to the jungle temple of 1000 Lingas, ending at Ruluos temple, where the afternoon sun changes the colors on the stones of the ancient ruins

Banteay Seri is a wonderful temple and is worth the trip.