BANTEAY SREI BEYOND TEMPLE IN 37KM

History

Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carving anywhere on earth. Begun in AD 967, it is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stature.The art gallery of Angkor, Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, is wonderfully well preserved and many of its carvings are three-dimensional. Banteay Srei means ‘Citadel of the Women’ and it is said that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are supposedly too fine for the hand of a man. Banteay Srei is one of the few temples around Angkor to be commissioned not by a king but by a brahman, who may have been a tutor to Jayavarman V. The temple is square and has entrances at the east and west, with the east approached by a causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated libraries and the three central towers, which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work. Classic carvings at Banteay Srei include delicate women with lotus flowers in hand and traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking re-creations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel). However, the sum of the parts is no greater than the whole – almost every inch of these interior buildings is covered in decoration. Standing watch over such perfect creations are the mythical

guardians, all of which are copies of originals stored in the National Museum. Banteay Srei was the first major temple restoration undertaken by the EFEO in 1930 using the anastylosis method. The project, as evidenced today, was a major success and soon led to other larger projects such as the restoration of Bayon. Banteay

Srei is also the first to have been given a full makeover in terms of facilities, with a large car park, a designated dining and shopping area, clear visitor information and a state-of-the-art exhibition on the history of the temple and its restoration. There is also a small baray (reservoir) behind the temple where local boat trips (US$7 per boat) are possible through the lotus pond. When Banteay Srei was first rediscovered, it was assumed to be from the 13th or 14th centuries, as it was thought that the refined carving must have come at the end of the Angkor period. It was later dated to AD 967, from inscriptions found at the site. In 1923 Frenchman André Malraux was arrested in Phnom Penh for attempting to steal several of Banteay Srei’s major statues and pieces of sculpture. Ironically, Malraux was later appointed Minister of Culture

 under Charles de Gaulle. Banteay Srei is about 32km northeast of Siem Reap and 21km northeast of Bayon. Banteay Srei is well signposted and the road is surfaced all the way, so a trip from Siem Reap should take about 45 minutes by car or one hour by remork-moto . Moto and remork-moto drivers will want a bit of extra cash to come out here, so agree on a sum first. There’s plenty to do in Banteay Srei district as well as several homestays should you wish to stay and explore the area. It is possible to combine a visit to Banteay Srei as part of a long day trip to the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean and Beng Mealea. A half-day itinerary might include Banteay Srei, the Cambodia Landmine Museum and Banteay Samre. It takes 45 minutes to explore Banteay Srei temple, but allow 90 minutes to visit the information centre and explore the area.

BANTEAY SREY PALM SUGAR (ON THE WAY TO BANTEAY SREY TEMPLE)

When you take vehicle or Tuk Tuk to Banteay srey in 37km from the town on the smooth raod, you will see country markets on the way, these are the real life of local people they produce the natural palm sugar from the palm juice, and selling handicraft productions also made by palm trees, come to know and study for your new experience.

LANDMINE MUSEUM AKIRA (ON THE WAY TO BANTEAY SREY TEMPLE)

Established by DIY de-miner Aki Ra, this museum has eye-opening displays on the curse of land mines in Cambodia. The collection includes mines, mortars, guns and weaponry, and there is a mock minefield where visitors can attempt to locate the deactivated mines. Proceeds from the museum are ploughed into mine-awareness campaigns. The museum is about 25km from Siem Reap, near Banteay Srei.

SHOOTING RANGE (ON THE WAY TO BANTEAY SREY TEMPLE)

Siem Reap Angkor Wat is the most popular tourist destination around the country and beside the great temples there are some other natural tourist sites like mountains, river, waterfall and human creative, and all the things which offered to human in order to provide to people a great pleasure when those of traveler has been adventured the place. So, human has been developing a lot things and the among of product is Shooting Range/Shooting Bazooka thus gun fire is one of the Cambodia attractive  tourist spot.

Temples and Firing Tours: Of course we can greet any gun fire customers at anywhere around Siem Reap town for your sightseeing around Siem reap. Morning, Our professional military police and also a driver will go to greet you at your hotel or anywhere else that we have set the meeting point, and escort you guys to visit some of Angkor Wat great temples, and then Shooting Range club, by sun set or before sun set we will take you guy back to your place.

BBC BUTTERFLY CENTER (ON THE WAY TO BANTEAY SREY TEMPLE)

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre (BBC) is an interactive butterfly exhibit located 25 km north of Siem Reap, on the road to the Landmine Museum and Bantey Srey temple. The exhibit consists of a netted tropical garden with thousands of free-flying butterflies, all of which are native species to Cambodia. The enclosure is South East Asia’s largest butterfly exhibit and provides residents and tourists with an interactive and visual environment to learn about butterflies and support local communities.