Cambodia

Whilst visiting the Banteay Torp Temple in Banteay Chhmar district, right within the same complex is the very new looking Pagoda. Beautifully adorned with exquisite paintings I had to do a separate slideshow for this building in it's own right.

Banteay Torp (pronounced Tor-op) Temple is a fascinating and interesting temple site. The name is thought to mean ‘Fortress of the Army’ and it was built during the same period as the Banteay Chhmar temple complex. It is believed to have been built as a tribute to the Khmer army for their defeat of the Cham army leading to Khmer control of the region. The temple is located about 12 km south of Banteay Chhmar.

The site basically consists of three large (and very precarious looking) stone towers. Also, you can visit the nearby pagoda with its lovely wall paintings. The trip to Banteay Torp will take you through small villages, a large water reservoir and picturesque rice fields.

During my stay in Banteay Chhmar in December 2022, we visited the Soieries Silk center and were shown how they make silk in Cambodia.
Providing meaningful work for some local women in Banteay Chhmar, it was a very interesting visit.

The Soieries du Mekong Silk Center is a renowned organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the art of silk weaving in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Mekong region.

Silk weaving has a long and rich history in Southeast Asia, and the Mekong region is known for its high-quality silk production. The Soieries du Mekong Silk Center plays a crucial role in supporting local artisans and communities involved in silk weaving by providing training, resources, and a platform to showcase their products.

Silk weaving is not only a traditional craft but also an important part of the cultural heritage of the Mekong region. By supporting and promoting silk weaving, organizations like the Soieries du Mekong Silk Center contribute to the preservation of local traditions and the economic empowerment of communities involved in the silk industry.

The Phimeanakas Temple is an ancient temple situated in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia. It is one of the oldest structures in the park, dating back to the 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman.

The temple was used for religious ceremonies and served as a royal palace during the Khmer Empire. The temple's design includes intricate carvings and sculptures, including depictions of Hindu gods such as Vishnu and Shiva.

Visitors can climb to the top of the temple via steep stairs made of laterite stone for a breathtaking view of Angkor Thom, the former capital city of the Khmer Empire. While some parts of the temple are in ruins, many sections have been restored.

Not a lot of info about this one anywhere. I can tell you its just across the road from Banteay Chmmar temple and down a small lane that you wouldn't know was there unless someone showed you it.

Ta Prohm (which shares its name with a larger temple near Siem Reap and not to be confused with) consists of a single well-preserved face-tower looming over a moat.

Far from being abandoned, Ta Prohm still enjoys attention as a worship area for the locals. again, sporting the Bayon-style faces, and moat in front. Reached by foot just a few meters away from the CBT office! A magical place indeed.

Silk Center

The Soieries du Mekong Silk Center is a must-see on your trip to Banteay Chhmar.

The silk center began as a collaboration of two NGOs – Enfants du Mekong and Espoir en Soie. Soieries du Mekong has been training young Cambodian women in the art of silk weaving since 2001.

Today, about a hundred people are actively contributing to the creation of Soieries du Mékong’s collections: weavers, seamstresses, embroiderers, and dyers. All silk products are entirely handcrafted and reflect the talents of the local Khmer women. You may just want to spend a few of your travel dollars on a beautiful kramav (scarf), or maybe two.

You can receive a tour of the silk center, observe the silk-making process and maybe even get invited to lend a hand and try to weave yourself. Please visit the French-based organization’s website: Soieries du Mekong.

12 Km away from Banteay Chhmar is Prasat Samnang tasok, another temple which is embedded in the jungle. Our local tour to the nearby temples to Banteay Chhmar brought us here by tractor! what a great way to observe the local surroundings.

Approaching this temple on foot takes you back to that 'Lara croft" moment. look up and realise you’re stumbling around under a Bayon-style tower. it also has a small moat just in front of it. This was one of my favourite temple visits.

Prasat Ta Krabey or Prasat Ta Krabei, in Khmer (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាក្របី) and also known as Prasat Ta Khwai

The temple is located on Dangrek mountain range, basically on Cambodian-Thai border, 57 km west of Samraong city which is the capital of Oddar Meanchey province.

The Third in our "remote temple tour" for the third day at Banteay Chhmar. A little easier to get to than Prasat Ta Muen, only a small easy set of steps (shallow cut) to this pretty temple set in the trees. Again with military personnel, who were actually delighted to see us (we gave them shortbread too). This temple was in better shape than Prasat Cham.

Before our two-kilometre hike up to to Prasat Ta Moen, we visited this smaller and much more ruined temple, about a kilometer from Prasat Ta Moen, this Temple is in the middle of Casava fields and the most stunning scenery I have ever seen.

In a much more ruined state than many of the temples we visited, it non the less had a great charm about it and I almost loved its untouched and abandoned state. It certainly was a beautiful and calm place to be surrounded by cool shady trees!

This Temple was more about its setting than its architecture,

As part of our "remote temples tour" on our third day in Banteay Chhmar, we visited this one of three remote temples.

Prasat Ta Muen Thom is located at Ta Muen col (or Chong Khao Ta Miang) within Phanom Dong Rak Mountain Range. It is the largest Prasat in the Prasat Ta Muen Historical Park, which consists of the Prasat Ta Muen Thom is the largest building of the group (Thom is Khmer language meaning large). The castle is on the hill over the sacred natural rocks in a form of Sayumphu Siwalueng.assorted sizes three stone castles, the largest to the smallest size: Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Muen Tod, and Prasat Ta Muen.

These are set in the hills close to the Thai border and as such have a Cambodian military presence. It is customary to take some small treat with you for the soldiers who guard the temples from theft. Our guides took cigarettes and other small treats. We brought with us some shortbread biscuits. They were very touched that we had taken something in addition to the guides offerings.

This Prasat is at the top of a two kilometer road, although military folk are allowed to drive up and down it we were not, so parking the car at the bottom we walked the two kilometers up the hill. In itself not totally unpleasant, as when i stopped for breath (which was often lol) there were spectacular views to be had of the most utterly green and beautiful countryside.

The wide road itself os flanked by rocks and hill on one side and dense-ish forest on the other.

But oh boy! when you got to the top and climbed the steps up to the Temple it was stunning! just stunning! I will let the pictures speak for themselves now....

We spent four days with the Banteay Chhmar CBT during which time we had some amazing tours with them and our own english speaking guide who saw to our every need, and no its not as expensive as you would think. The flipside is we had an amazing visit to Banteay Chhmar, I am so glad I got to walk amongst the ruins and experience this real fell of "Lara Croft" I also will add that the Khmer are the kings of Bas relief of which many had only just been returned from the National Museum in Phnom Penh.

I cannot speak highly enough of their help and organisation of our trip, you can contact them ;
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: +855 (0)97 516 5533
Phone: +855 (0)12 435 660

GHF-CBT Coordinator:
Tath Sophal
[email protected]
Phone: +855 (0)12 237 605
Phone: +855 (0)97 723 7605

Banteay Chhmar temple is the fourth largest temple complex in Cambodia and one of the biggest in the world, situated about 164 km northeast of Siem Reap (Banteay Meanchey Province), nearby the Dangrek mountain range in the border with Thailand. Since 2010, thanks to a new road, Banteay Chhmar temple is only one hour drive from Sisophon on the highway 56 and about three-hour drive from Siem Reap. Another way of reaching Banteay Chhmar from Siem Reap is to take the road 68 north of Kralanh and the road 56 west.

Banteay Chhmar, also known as the small citadel, is a massive temple complex oriented west-east with 5 enclosures (2.2 by 1.7 kilometers) and 4 entrances. It is surrounded by a 6 meters wide moat it has also a large Baray on the east with its own temple on the center.

The temple complex was commissioned by King Jayavarman VII during the late 12th century, begging of 13th century and dedicated to his son.

It is sometime described as a twin hub of the Khmer empire because of its size and its layout containing a large main temple with extensive carved walls, many satellite temples and a complex hydraulic system.

Banteay Chhmar follows the Bayon style and has also many face towers. As this temple was left in nature for 800 years, it suffered considerable damages and only 10 towers are still standing with only few face towers.

Banteay Chhmar was added to UNESCO tentative list in 1992, the same year that Angkor Wat temple was listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Because of its remote location, like Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, Banteay Chhmar was unfortunately the target of extensive lootings in the 1990s.

During my visit to Banteay Chhmar, I saw pictures of the Lions at the Baray (Lake). I have never seen anything quite like this before so this became a "must see" visit during one of our tours.

We reached it at the peak of the day when it was very dry and hot, so we didn't cross the bridge to the Mebon on the Island. Instead we explored the steps and Lions at the edge of the Lake.

Banteay Chhmar's baray lies approximately 7-800 metres east of the main temple site and measures some 800 metres by 1.6 kms. Alignment is as per Banteay Chhmar, so slightly north of east-west. The baray today is filled with paddy fields rather than water but a mebon temple is located in the centre of the reservoir.

In 2020, the local authorities have restored the west terrace of the baray, where they discovered a large immaculate sandstone lion buried in the baray, along with a range of other carved stones. The stone terrace has now been restored using old and new blocks to replace those that are too damaged or missing.

What you see in this slideshow is it's current restored state 2022.

Starting my visit to Cambodia in December 2022, just around the corner from my hotel was this beautiful and auspicious Wat, Wat Botum.

Wat Botum means “Temple of the Lotus Blossoms” is a colorful temple in the center of Phnom Penh. In Cambodian known as Preah Vihear Wat Botumvatey, the serene and peaceful temple has recently been restored.

Wat Botum is one of the oldest temples in Phnom Penh. King Ponhea Yat ordered construction of the temple during his reign in the first half of the 15th century.
The viharn, the assembly hall, has recently been restored.

Inside the viharn a golden Buddha in meditation pose is seated on a pedestal. In front of it is a Reclining Buddha. The wall behind the image is adorned with a painting of a forest and the Bodhi tree the Buddha meditated under when reaching enlightenment.

The ceiling is adorned with colorful paintings depicting Buddhist stories. Which you will throughout this slideshow.

On our return from Banteay Chhmar to Siem Reap, we stopped at this beautiful stone mason's garden. Whilst I see these as a common feature here in Thailand, and not too dissimilar is this Cambodian one.

Quite often because I am travelling from one place to another I don't often have time to stop and take in the enormous amount of work and skill that goes into these sculptures.

They do differ, especially when it comes to the Buddhas/Gods and other deities.

I could have spent longer here, photographing them all, but I think this gives anyone a good flavour of what is there.
Please click on the image to see the wonderful collection there!