ANGKOR TEMPLES IN CAMBODIA
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Banteay Prei


Banteay Prei, sometimes spelt Banteay Prey, means "citadel of the jungle". The Khmer word "banteay" is often used in names of temples that seem to be fortified by outer galleries or simple enclosure walls. Banteay Prei’s location is not really a jungle any more, but at the border of the forested Archaeological Park to the surrounding farmland. Sometimes the meadow of the temple is used as pastureland for cattle.

Banteay Prei is a noteworthy "off the beaten path" insider tipp for those who hope to enjoy an untouristed Khmer temple in an idyllic setting. And by sure, if Banteay Prei was not located in Angkor, but close to a beach resort, every tour operator in town would offer regular half-day excursions to visit it. But almost no tour package for bus group excursions in Angkor includes Banteay Prei, as there are too many other more important sites along this Grand Tour, where Banteay Srei is located. It is just north of the contemporary gigantic flat temple Preah Khan. Banteay Prei is neighboured by the smaller Prasat Prei and may have been connected with it.

Banteay Prei, by the way, is not at all small, it is a medium-sized compound. In layout and style, it is similar to Ta Som and Ta Nei, two more famous temples originating from the same period. But galleries, Gopurams and the central Prasat tower are less high at Banteay Prei, that's why it almost appears to be a temple en miniature.

Banteay Prei is one of the many edifices founded by the record-breaking temple-builder Jayavarman VII, about 1200. Inside the exterior (counted "third") enclosure there is a moat surrounding the core compound. It measures 80 m by 60 m. The galleries forming the inner ("first") enclosure are 30 m from east to west and 25 m from north to south, they connect enbtrances near the corners and Gopurams with towers in the cardinal directions.

There is a pillar with a peg motif of unknown function in the southwestern part of the courtyard. Similar stelae were found in other Bayon style temples, e.g. two in Preah Khan and one in Ta Som.

Walls of all buildings are decorated with floral ornaments and Devatas (Apsaras) in the typical Bayon-style. As in the case of other Buddhist monuments in Angkor, many sculptures are defaced, some by Hindu iconoclasts in the 13th century, but others during the civil war period when Khmer Rouge art thefts plagued this part of Angkor frequently.

Both morning and afternoon are recommendable for a visit. In the afternoon, also go to the back of the temple or even cross the moat at that western side, for a perfect view to the whole complex.

Entrance tickets will not be checked at this secluded temple. But you should have it when traveling along the Grand Route (Grand Circuit).

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famous attractions are marked bold, highly recommendable hidden treasures in bold italic letters
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Prasat Bakan
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Prasat Kravan
Prasat Leak Neang
Prasat O Ka-aek
Prasat Prei
Prasat Sampeau at Angkor
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Prasat Suor Prat
Prasat Tonle Snguot
Prasat Top at Pre Rup
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Prasat Tor
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Preah Khan at Angkor
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Ta Prohm  at Tonle Bati
Ta Prohm Kel
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Terrace of the Elephants
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Wat Athvea
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All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2015 Hor Sopheak
Texts and Photos by Ando Sundermann and Hor Sopheak, unless otherwise stated
with special thanks to contributers Günter Schönlein and Jochen Fellmer
  • Home
    • Welcome
  • About
  • Cambodia
    • Geography
    • Khmer History
  • Travel Info
    • Visa and Customs
    • Climate
    • Food
    • Shopping
  • Destinations
    • Phnom Penh
    • Siem Reap
    • Battambang
    • Sihanoukville
    • Kep
    • Tonle Sap
  • Temples
    • Cambodia jungle temples
    • Preah Khan
    • Ta Som
    • Phnom Kulen
    • Bang Melea
    • Koh Ker
    • Banteay Chhmar
    • Preah Vihear
    • Bakan
    • Sambor Prei Kuk
    • Tonle Bati
    • Phnom Chisor
    • Phnom Da
  • Angkor
    • Angkor Wat
    • Angkor Thom >
      • Bayon
      • South Gate
      • North Gate
      • Victory Gate
      • East Gate
      • Prasat Chrung
      • Elephant Terrace
      • Leper King Terrace
      • Tep Pranam
      • Prasat Suor Prat
      • Preah Palilay
      • Vihear Prampil Loveng
      • Wat Preah Ngok
    • Yashodharapura >
      • Bakheng
      • Baksei Chamkrong
      • Bei Prasat
      • Baphuon
      • Phimeanakas
      • Royal Palace
      • Preah Pithu
      • North Khleang
      • South Khleang
      • West Prasat Top
      • Mangalartha
      • Ta Prohm Kel
      • Siem Reap River
      • Kapilapura
    • Small Circuit >
      • Thommanon
      • Chau Say Tevoda
      • Spean Thma
      • Chapel of the Hospital
      • Ta Keo
      • Ta Nei
      • Jayendranagari
      • Ta Prohm
      • Banteay Kdei
      • Kutishvara
    • Grand Circuit >
      • Prasat Tonle Snguot
      • Krol Romeas
      • Preah Khan in Angkor
      • Prasat Prei
      • Banteay Prei
      • Neak Pean
      • Krol Ko
      • Ta Sohm
      • East Mebon
      • Pre Rup
      • Leak Neang
      • Prasat Top
      • Srah Srang
      • Bat Chum
      • Prasat Kravan
    • Angkor East >
      • Prasat Tor
      • Banteay Samray
      • Phnom Bok
      • Chau Say Vibol
    • Angkor West >
      • West Baray
      • West Mebon
      • Ak Yum
      • Spean Memay
      • Phnom Rung
      • Kok Po
      • Neam Rup
      • Prasat Char
      • Prasat Sralao
      • Prasat Sampeau
      • Banteay Thom
      • Prei Prasat
    • Siem Reap area >
      • Wat An Kau Sai
      • Wat Athvea
      • Phnom Krom
    • Roluos Group >
      • Bakong
      • Preah Ko
      • Lolei
      • Prei Monti
      • Trapeang Phong
      • Toteung Thngai
      • Prasat O Ka-aek
      • Trapeang Srangae
    • North of Angkor >
      • Banteay Srei
      • Kbal Spean
  • Tours
  • Hotel
  • Blogs
    • Schönlein Blog
  • Contact
    • Deutsch