Archaeological Complex of Banteay Chhmar

Overview

Under the guidance of a professional archaeologist visit Banteay Chhmar which is one of the most impressive temple complexes beyond the Angkor area both for it’s scale and it’s remote location.
Located 110km west of Siem Reap, Banteay Chhmar fits the picture of a lost Khmer city with its ruined face-towers, carvings, forest surroundings and bird life flying through the temple. For 800 years, the temple has remained mostly undiscovered and untouched.

Highlights

Detailed visit of the temple complex under guidance of an experienced English-speaking tour guide
Learn about the community-based tourism project
Countless Buddhist images and startling bas-reliefs of Angkorian-era daily life
A bas-relief of Avalokiteshvara, the deity of compassion represented with many arms, on the west gallery wall
Visit to the provincial museum of Banteay Meanchey: exhibits of artefacts from the Iron age through the Bayon period (13th century) found in the area

Itinerary

Full-day tour from Siem Reap.

Banteay Chhmar Temple complex is located about 110-km west of Angkor Wat. It was built of sandstone and laterite of the highest quality in the Angkorian period (802-1432) with the main temple measuring 770 x 690 metres. The central complex of colonnaded galleries, measuring approximately 250 x 200 meters, is enclosing five interconnected sanctuaries aligned along an east-west axis. The area includes six artificial ponds or pools, two structures known as “libraries” and two elevated, terrace-platforms. This central core of the structure is surrounded by 63 meter wide moat. The area outside the moat includes eight monuments that may have been hospitals or monasteries.

On the way back to Siem Reap, there will be a visit to the Banteay Meanchey provincial museum.