Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest; the very thing that Grimm delighted to imagine, and that every child's heart has yearned after, but which mature years has sadly proved too lovely to be true. And here it is, in the Cambodian forest at Banteay Srei, carved not ...
The roads have been recently repaired and it takes about 30 minutes from Siem Reap to get to the temple. To reach Banteay Srei, follow the main road north out of Siem Reap, turn right at Angkor Wat and follow the road to Srah Srang where you turn right past Pre Rup.
At the East Mebon there is a check post where you need to obtain clearnce. Turn right again at the road before the East Mebon; pass through the village of Phoum Pradak, where there is a junctions (if you continue straight, after about 5 minutes, you will reach Banteay Samre). At this point, you come to a fork; take the road on the left and follow it to Batneay Srei which you will reach shortly after crossing two rivers - on your left hand side.
Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest; the very thing that Grimm delighted to imagine, and that every child's heart has yearned after, but which mature years has sadly proved too lovely to be true. And here it is, in the Cambodian forest at Banteay Srei, carved not out of the stuff that dreams are made of, but of solid sandstone.
Location: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) north-east of East Mebon
Access: enter and leave the temple by the east entrance
Date: second half of the 10th century (967)
King: Rajendravarman II (reigned 944-968) and Jayavarman V (reigned 968-1001)
Religion: Hindu (dedicated to Shiva)
Art style: Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយស្រី) is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor in Cambodia. It lies near the hill of Phnom Dei, 25 km (16 mi) north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a "precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art.
The temple was rediscovered only in 1914, and was the subject of a celebrated case of art theft when André Malraux stole four devatas in 1923 (he was soon arrested and the figures returned). The incident stimulated interest in the site, which was cleared the following year, and in the 1930s Banteay Srei was restored through the first important use of anastylosis at Angkor whereby a ruined building or monument is restored using the original architectural elements to the greatest degree possible. Until the discovery of the foundation stela in 1936, it had been assumed that the extreme decoration indicated a later date than was in fact the case. To prevent the site from water damage, the joint Cambodian-Swiss Banteay Srei Conservation Project installed a drainage system between 2000 and 2003. Measures were also taken to prevent damage to the temples walls from nearby trees. Unfortunately, the temple has been ravaged by pilfering and vandalism. When toward the end of the 20th century authorities removed some original statues and replaced them with concrete replicas, looters took to attacking the replicas. A statue of Shiva and his shakti Uma, removed to the National Museum in Phnom Penh for safekeeping, was assaulted in the museum itself.
Banteay Srei is built largely of a hard red sandstone that can be carved like wood. Brick and laterite were used only for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. The temple is known for the beauty of its sandstone lintels and pediments.
A pediment is the roughly triangular space above a rectangular doorway or openings. At Banteay Srei, pediments are relatively large in comparison to the openings below, and take a sweeping gabled shape. For the first time in the history of Khmer architecture, whole scenes of mythological subject-matter are depicted on the pediments.
A lintel is a horizontal beam spanning the gap between two posts. Some lintels serve a structural purpose, serving to support the weight of the superstructure, while others are purely decorative in purpose. The lintels at Banteay Srei are beautifully carved, rivalling those of the 9th century Preah Ko style in quality.
Many niches in the temple walls contain carvings of devatas or dvarapalas.
Noteworthy decorative motifs include the kala (a toothy monster symbolic of time), the guardian dvarapala (an armed protector of the temple) and devata (demi-goddess), the false door, and the colonette. Indeed, decorative carvings seem to cover almost every available surface. According to pioneering Angkor scholar Maurice Glaize, "Given the very particular charm of Banteay Srei – its remarkable state of preservation and the excellence of a near perfect ornamental technique – one should not hesitate, of all the monuments of the Angkor group, to give it the highest priority." At Banteay Srei, wrote Glaize, "the work relates more closely to the art of the goldsmith or to carving in wood than to sculpture in stone".
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#60 Road, Angkor Cultural & Tourism Complex Junction, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Value!
Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Center offers accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap. The resort has a spa centre and an outdoor swimming pool. Guests can enjoy meals at any of the 5 dining options at the resort or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Angkor Wat is 4.1 km from Sokha Siem Reap Resort, while Apsara Theatre is 800 m away. Angkor Pass Ticket Centre can be reached within 300 m away. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 8 km from Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Center. The property offers a complimentary airport pick-up service.
Air-conditioned rooms have a seating area fitted with a flat-screen TV. Rooms feature views of the pool or garden. All rooms come with a private bathroom. Extras include bath robes and slippers.
Guests can approach the 24-hour front desk for currency exchange, tour arrangements, ticketing and concierge services. The resort also offers bike and car hire at a surcharge. Free shuttle service to the city area is offered in the evening time.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.6 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
Hotel chain/brand: Sokha Hotels & Resorts
Street 60, Chong Kao Sou Village, Slor Kram Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
Located just 3.1 mi from Angkor Wat, Paradise Angkor offers accommodations with free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service in Siem Reap’s city center. It features an outdoor pool, a spa and 4 dining options.
A 5-minute drive from the bus station, Paradise Angkor Villa Hotel is a 20-minute drive from Siem Reap International Airport. Located within 1.9 mi away are the Pub Street and Psar Leu Market. A free pick-up service from the airport or bus station is provided.
Each air-conditioned room at the Paradise Angkor Villa Hotel has a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safe and mini-bar. Tea/coffee making facilities, bathrobes and slippers are provided.
The Lian Hau Restaurant features Chinese cuisine and Dim Sum. An international buffet is served at The Palm Leaves Restaurant. Drinks are available at The Palm Village Bar.
Guests can workout at the fully equipped fitness room or have a relaxing massage at the spa. Younger guests can enjoy the children's pool.
We speak your language!
R90 Street, Salakonseng Village, Svaydangkum Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast Included
Nestled within private gardens, The Pleasant Villa Siem Reap offers accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap. It features an outdoor swimming pool and guests can enjoy meals at the in-house restaurant or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Rooms at The Pleasant Villa Siem Reap are air conditioning and are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar and a safety deposit box. Some units have a seating area for your convenience. Certain rooms include views of the pool or the city. All rooms come with a private bathroom fitted with a shower. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries.
Guests can approach a 24-hour front desk for currency exchange, tour arrangements, ticketing and concierge services. At The Pleasant Villa Siem Reap, guests can indulge in massage treatments or relax with a drink at the sun deck.
The vibrant Pub Street is 1.8 km from The Pleasant Villa Siem Reap, while King's Road Angkor is 2.5 km away. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat Temples is a 15-minute drive away. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 7.5 km from The Pleasant Villa Siem Reap.
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Treak Village Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
The luxurious Sojourn Boutique Villas is located in Siem Reap. Set amidst palm trees and rice paddy fields, it features a restaurant, spa, swimming pool and rooms with free WiFi.
The spacious rooms and villas at Sojourn Boutique are well-equipped with a satellite TV, safety deposit box and minibar. Hot rain shower facilities are available in the private bathrooms.
Guests can cycle to explore the area, or take a stroll in the garden. The hotel offers free parking, and provides laundry services upon request.
Restaurant Sojourn serves Western and Asian dishes. Other dining options include light snacks and refreshing beverages at the Pool Bar.
Boutique Sojourn Villas is within walking distance to Ancient Wat Athvea Temple and a 15-minute drive from Siem Reap Airport. The Angkor Temples are a 20-minute drive away.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.3 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
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344 St. Wat Bo Sangkat Sala Komreouk, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Location!
One of our top picks in Siem Reap.
Situated in the heart of Siem Reap, Chayra Angkor Hotel welcomes guests with pampering spa treatments and free bike rentals. Guests also enjoy free WiFi access throughout the hotel.
Just a 10-minute walk to the lively Pub Street, the famous Angkor Wat and Siem Reap – Angkor International Airport can be reached within a 15-minute drive from Chayra Angkor Hotel. The property also offers guests with a complimentary airport pickup service.
Fitted with hardwood floors, rooms feature traditional Cambodian-style furnishings. It includes air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar and a seating area. An en suite bathroom comes with hot shower facilities.
At Chayra Angkor Hotel you will find a communal sauna, cycling facilities and a peaceful garden. The 24-hour front desk can assist with luggage storage, safety deposit box and car rental services.
Guests can sample a variety of authentic Cambodian-style and Western meals at the on-site restaurant. In-room dining options are possible.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.6 for a two-person trip.
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Sala Kamreuk Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Price!
Resort D' Popular is offering accommodations in Siem Reap. Featuring a fitness center, this 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The property has a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi is available.
All rooms at the hotel come with a seating area and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Resort D' Popular provides certain units that feature a terrace, and every room is equipped with an electric tea pot. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge.
A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property. Guests can dine in the on-site restaurant, which serves a variety of French, European and Asian dishes.
The accommodation has an outdoor pool.
King's Road Angkor is 2.3 km from Resort D' Popular. The nearest airport is Angkor International Airport, 14.5 km from the hotel.
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Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.
Guest Name: Ms. Lyn
Country: Philippines
City: Manila
N.of Person: 1 pax
Travel date: 23-09-2024
Booked: Ream National Park Kayaking & Boat Trip Day Tour
Tour Style: Beach Break Holiday
Duration: Full Day
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