Cambodia truly lives up to its tourism slogan as a “Kingdom of Wonder” with its many well-preserved historical sites from the heyday of the mighty Khmer empire. Though nowhere near the size and majesty of Angkor Wat, the Banteay Srei temple has a distinct charm all its own.
Banteay Srei means “Citadel of Women” in Khmer and was built in honor of the Hindu god Shiva.
Although Banteay Srei was one of the last Angkorian temples we visited, it was also one of the most unique since it was constructed using predominantly red sandstone so even from afar, we could appreciate the temples’ pinkish hue. Considered by many as having the most intricate carvings among all the Angkorian temples, beautifully detailed apsaras or female deities can be found all over the temple.
It takes approximately an hour to get to this UNESCO World Heritage site from Siem Reap but it’s well worth the trip to see for yourself this “jewel in Khmer art”.
Banteay Srei, north of Angkor, Cambodia
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