Further Afield Of Siem Reap Attractions Site

Banteay Srei

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 few temples around Angkor not to be commissioned by a king, but by a Brahman, perhaps a tutor to Jayavarman V.

Banteay Srei means ‘Citadel of the Woman’ and it is said that it must have been built by women, as the elaborate carvings are too fine for the hand of a man.

Banteay Srei, 21km northeast fo the Bayon and about 32km from Siem Reap, can be visited along with Kbal Spean and the Cambodia Landmine Museum. Transport out to here will cost a little more than the Prices quoted for the central temples of Angkor.

Kbal Spean

Kbal Spean is a spectacularly carved riverbed, set deep in the jungle about 50km northeast of Angkor, more commonly reffered to in English as the ‘River of a thousand Lingas’ it’s a 1,5km uphill walk to the carvings, which include phallic lingas and Hundu deitics. From the carvings you can walk your way back down to the waterfall to cool off. Carry plenty of water.

Kbal Spean was only discovered in 1969, when ethnologist Jean Boulbet was shown the area by a local hermit; the area was soon off-limites due to the civil war, only becoming safe again in 1998.

At the nearby Angkor center for Conservation of Biodiversity trafficked animals are nursed back to hcalth.

Phnom Kulen

The most sacred mountain in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen is where Jayavarman II proclaimed himself a devaraya (god-kings) in AD 802, giving birth to Cambodia. It’s a popular place of pilgrimage during weekends and festivals; the views it affords are absolutely tremendous.

At no point during a visit to Phnom Kulen should you leave well-troddern paths, as there may be landmines in the area.

Phnom Kulen is 50km from Siem Reap and 15km from Banteay Seri. The road toll is US20$ per foreign visitor. None of this goes towards preserving the site. It is possible to buy a cheaper entrance ticket to Phnom Kulen for US$12 from the city Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap.

Beng Mealea

Built by Suryavarman II to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea is the Titanic of temples, utterly subsumed by jungle. Nature has well and truly run riot here. Jumbled stones lie like forgotten jewels swathed in lichen, and the galleries are strangled by ivy and vines.

Beng Mealea is about 65km northeast of Siem Reap on a sealed tool road.

Remote Temples of the Northwest

See the relevant sections under Northwestern Cambodia for more information on remote remotes such as Koh Ker, Beanteay Chhmar, Preah Khan and Prasat Preah Vihea.

We welcome to suggestion you to see more Siem Reap Attractions area to visit around your holiday plan.