Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei
4.7
About
Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor, it lies near the hill of Phnom Dei, 25 km north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.7
7,309 reviews
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316
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35
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17
Dan and Reb
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK110 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We visited this temple on a day combined with Beng Mealea. We really appreciated how off the beaten track they felt compared to the Main and Grand Circuits of Angkor.
The carvings on this temple are stunningly intricate, and the quiet nature of this temple meant you could really take the time to appreciate them without feeling in the way of others.
This day was by far our favourite day of exploring temples in Cambodia.
We have a video showcasing the site which is on our YouTube Channel, link in our bio 😊
The carvings on this temple are stunningly intricate, and the quiet nature of this temple meant you could really take the time to appreciate them without feeling in the way of others.
This day was by far our favourite day of exploring temples in Cambodia.
We have a video showcasing the site which is on our YouTube Channel, link in our bio 😊
Written 16 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy599
Two Rivers, WI903 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We are on a OAT post trip following 24 days in Vietnam
one of the oldest and most well-preserved temple sites in Cambodia. It was a 30 minute long bumpy ride from Siem reap as we passed many other temples that are not open to the public.
This complex was started around AD 967 within the rugged jungle and about 20 miles from Angkor. Its name Banteay Srei means “Citadel of Women” and is recognized as a tribute to the beauty of women, who are featured in painstakingly carved sandstone bas-relief murals. We were told the temple is a favorite of archeologists and tourists for its delicate designs, as it is in a wonderful state of preservation, but we were told is relatively small size as compared to other Angkor temples. The entrance and internal layout is very similar to Anchor Wat, but just in a smaller scale.
The complex in 1920 was discovered by Europeans archologist totally falling apart as large “strangler” tree roots had disturbed most of the blocks, with some of the stone images missing as looters had sold them to brokers who marked them to rich collectors in Europe and the US. The archaeologist had to put everything back together like a gigantic jig saw puzzle (German formula called Anastitas). One problem was they used modern concrete as a mortar, and such does NOT
work well over time with the iron-based sandstone blocks.
one of the oldest and most well-preserved temple sites in Cambodia. It was a 30 minute long bumpy ride from Siem reap as we passed many other temples that are not open to the public.
This complex was started around AD 967 within the rugged jungle and about 20 miles from Angkor. Its name Banteay Srei means “Citadel of Women” and is recognized as a tribute to the beauty of women, who are featured in painstakingly carved sandstone bas-relief murals. We were told the temple is a favorite of archeologists and tourists for its delicate designs, as it is in a wonderful state of preservation, but we were told is relatively small size as compared to other Angkor temples. The entrance and internal layout is very similar to Anchor Wat, but just in a smaller scale.
The complex in 1920 was discovered by Europeans archologist totally falling apart as large “strangler” tree roots had disturbed most of the blocks, with some of the stone images missing as looters had sold them to brokers who marked them to rich collectors in Europe and the US. The archaeologist had to put everything back together like a gigantic jig saw puzzle (German formula called Anastitas). One problem was they used modern concrete as a mortar, and such does NOT
work well over time with the iron-based sandstone blocks.
Written 21 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,875 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
Banteay Srei was not very busy the morning of my visit. At that time the rain came but it just added to the beauty of the place.
There were so many intricate carvings to see all around. It probably was the most concentrated and in great condition of any temple. The pink sandstone was primarily used due to its ease of carving but also made the coloring quite unique and beautiful.
While one cannot go inside many of the buildings the pathways do bring visitors up close.
Definitely a must see if you have the time. The visit was combined with Kbal Spean and the Landmine Museum.
There were so many intricate carvings to see all around. It probably was the most concentrated and in great condition of any temple. The pink sandstone was primarily used due to its ease of carving but also made the coloring quite unique and beautiful.
While one cannot go inside many of the buildings the pathways do bring visitors up close.
Definitely a must see if you have the time. The visit was combined with Kbal Spean and the Landmine Museum.
Written 21 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PoipuJim
86 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
There are hundreds of temples in the Siem Reap area, but this one is profoundly special. Banteay Srei lies about 30-60 minutes NE of Siem Reap and is well worth the visit. It is a 10th century Hindu Temple. Made of pink sandstone, it is also referred to as the Citadel of Women. What really makes this temple special are the plentiful carvings which are considered by many to be the finest stone carvings anywhere on planet earth ...... I cannot disagree. I have visited dozens and dozens of temples in the Siem Reap area, and in my opinion, this is a MUST SEE. It really stands apart from the main temples that attract tourists. This is a SHOWSTOPPER.
Written 21 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance W
16 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
I was in the same rap area and Cambodia for eight days. I spent three days visiting sites in town of Siem Reap, plus visit in at least 10 temples throughout the area including watching the sun come up at Phenom Bakheng. Then I visited the bion in Angkor Thom, along with many other sites there. After which I visited all the temples in the inner circuit. Then in the next four days, I traveledl to amazing ruins in other parts of Cambodia ~ Benteay Chhmar, Benteay Srei, Preah Vihear, Koh Kur, and Beng Mealea, all with a superb, certified local tour guide, affectionately known locally as Mr. Bunny. (Bunthorn Tha.) His knowledge, his gentle sense of humor, and his unflagging energy made it a trip of a lifetime for me.
Written 10 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rene H
Lexington, VA65 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
This was one of my favorites of all we saw in the Seam Reap area. The color is a striking deep red and the carvings are very intricate and well preserved. It is much smaller than Angkor Wat and I liked that. A visit here wasn't so daunting.
Written 18 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BTS1972
Munich, Germany3,748 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
This temple is a bit offside the normal tourist flows as it is located outside the inner area. Therefore you can visit a temple in good condition with interesting outside works and figurines with few other tourists. A clear recommendation.
Written 9 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darshad
Auckland Central, New Zealand8 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
The intricate carvings on the smooth, pink sandstone are unbelievably detailed, even after all these centuries. Walking hand-in-hand through the ancient doorways, we felt transported back in time. This temple is a true testament to the skill and artistry of its creators - an absolute must-see!!!
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jannah s
4 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
A must go for sure. Cambodians were raised with the legend that the temple was built by women due to the patience the carvers must have had to produce intricate carvings on the pink sand stone. It is flat, so no stairs to climb up like Angkor Wat and Bayon.
Written 8 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martainn B
New York City, NY13 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
We drove an hour to get here and spent about 45 minutes looking around. The pink sandstone and intricate carvings are beautiful, but the temple is smaller than expected. Nice break from the main temples, though the souvenir sellers were quite persistent.
Written 10 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, it was a beautiful temple.
Written 19 November 2019
I have ONE full day to visit temples (Staying Siem Reap 2 DAYS IN January 2020). I was thinking of starting my tour at Banteay Srei then backtracking to Angkor Thom, finishing at Angkor Wat. Doing this route HOPING to avoid (most) of the maddening crush of my fellow tourists. As I would like to enjoy the countryside on my way to BS I was thinking of leaving hotel about 6am to arrive by 7am.
How much time should I allow to visit BS?
Recommendations on which temples to visit next?
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate any input you can share:-)
Written 18 October 2019
You should spend a whole day for Banteay Srei Temple with some other activities along the way such as Butterfly Center, Landmine Museum, Sugar Palm Produce, Preah Khan temple, Neak Pean Temple.
Written 22 October 2019
Is the road to Banteay Srei very dusty (now in April) or is it possible to go by tuk tuk or in an open jeep without swallowing/inhaling a lot of dust and pollution?...thanks
Written 12 April 2019
Sorry I’m probably too late to answer, but yes quite dusty!
Written 31 May 2019
Hi
Is it poss to have a full day (1 day) in Oct to include Banteny Srei, Koh Ker, Neak Pean
Thx
Written 26 July 2018
hola perdona que te moleste he leido en algunos blogs que en siem reap no alquilan a turistas las motos , es que no alquilan en general o es que no se alquilan para ir a angkor ?muchas gracias
Written 19 August 2017
Para Angkor sin duda mejor Tuk Tuk para el resto de Camboya alquilar moto es facil i barato. En Battambang me fué muy útil para aprovechar el tienpo. 1 dia 10 dolares.
Written 21 August 2017
Just wondered if people recommend a time of day that is best to visit Banteay Srei as I have been told it's colour varies with the light? The private trip I am considering goes to B Srei in the morning then Tonle Sap in the afternoon but I know someone else has told me to go for sunset sos thought I'd ask what people think. Many thanks
Written 25 July 2017
We were there in the late afternoon (4 p.m.) in March on a slightly cloudy day but even then I would have been hard-pressed to call the sandstone colour "pink", more like a "pale reddish-brown". We were supposed to go back to one of the Angkor Wat temples for sunset, but decided to visit the Land Mine museum near Banteay Srei instead. Just as well, as the cloud cover increased so no sunset - just the amazing gold outline behind the jagged cloud fringes - looked like forked lightning! The most important thing about BS is the exquisite sandstone carvings - small but beautifully-formed - so go for that reason not the colour.
Written 26 July 2017
I am doing sunrise at Ankor Wat and wanting to also visit on the same day TA PROHM and BANTEAY SRIE temple - are they all included on the 1day pass - there are 5 of us so want to purchase the most economical ticket to cover all! kind regards
Written 22 June 2017
I think you have the option to do more than one temple all together. Check on line...
The ticket that I got was around U$D 62 y was for more than 3 temples.
Written 23 June 2017
Is it possible to do Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm on the same day? I know that Banteay is a bit of a distance from the other two and I'm not sure how feasible this is. I'm not much of a lingerer, and prefer to take in the sights as I walk as opposed to staying in one place for long periods of time.
Written 14 March 2017
The problem of distance can be solved with tuktuk.
I recommend you to purchase admission tickets the day before.
The tickets are be sold from 5 am, but the ticket center is very crowded and takes a very long time from the 5 am. So I recommend to purchase the tickets is sold after 7 pm the day before, the next day, you can sightseeing with a margin by using it.
Written 1 April 2017
Hi There,
We have some guests asking more information about the distance to this Banteysrei temple and does it require one day pass or more than that to visit this temple? Any other good restaurants nearby the temple if guests visit during late morning until lunch time there?
Thank you,
Por Cuisine, Siem Reap
Written 31 December 2016
Hi,
A one day pass would be fine for visiting Banteay Srei temple as it is a small temple. Won't take more than 2 hrs to see it. On the other hand, if you plan to visit several temples in the Siem Reap area, you might as well go for a multi-day pass. The same pass that you get for seeing the Angkor temples is valid for Banteay Srei.
We were staying in Siem Reap and it took us about 45 mins by car to reach Banteay Srei. The roads are good. You might want to visit Preah Khan nearby or Neak Pean on the way for which you have to plan on more time.
There are restaurants on the way but to be on the safe side we had our lunch after returning to Siem Reap which offers a lot of good, clean restaurants.
Hope that helps.
Enjoy!
Written 31 December 2016
Does our Angkor 3 day pass allow us entry to Banteay or is there an extra charge ?
Written 5 December 2016
It's included. But if you can, try and go to Beng Mealea, a wild place but costs $5.00 more as it is on private land. Same area within 10-15KM.
Written 6 December 2016
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