Cambodia: Banteay Kdei - A Citadel of Chambers

Date: 13 May 2018

We were on our home stretch. After starting the day at Angkor Wat, followed by visits to Bayon, Ta Keo and Ta Prohm temples, we were now at the final stop on our tour of Angkor Archeological Park.

Banteay Kdei entrance Siem Reap — With our one day ticket, we visited 5 temple structures… but mind you, there are many more places you can visit if you have the time or you buy the multi-day ticket. See this post for details about the various tickets.

Traditional art Siem Reap Cambodia — We saw some artisans handcrafting some stencil-like art pieces. Quite impressive!

Banteay Kdei shops Siem Reap — You need to walk past these shops and stalls before you get to Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei was built in the mid-12th to early 13th century AD during the reign of Jayavarman VII. Lore says Jayavarman VII was accused of wasting money on extravagant temple building projects while ignoring society and other duties… but that shouldn’t be a shocker by now. It’s not like you walk past remains of universities or villages in Angkor park.

Banteay Kdei ruins Siem Reap — Banteay Kdei translates to “A Citadel of Chambers”

Banteay kdei citadel Siem Reap — Banteay Kdei is one long temple

Banteay kdei chambers Siem Reap — You keep walking straight down

Banteay kdei pillar held up Siem Reap — Some pillars are merely held up using wooden logs

Banteay kdei window Siem Reap — Honestly, by now me and my girlfriend were pretty bored and not very keen to spend much time at Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei corridor Siem Reap — So we just kept walking through the central corridor until we reached the end

Banteay Kdei temple Siem Reap — Banteay Kdei temple doesn’t offer anything that different or unique from other structures you visit on these tours. The sculptures (mostly Apsaras) are the same as elsewhere.

One perk Banteay Kdei offers is that it isn’t very crowded. It maybe because people often come here towards the end of their day tour and choose not to spend much time here because they’re tired (or skip it entirely). So if you want to take some photos where you wish to pose without other tourists making an appearance in the shot, Banteay Kdei would be a good spot to do it.

Banteay Kdei temple renovation — Banteay Kdei’s renovation is being funded by Japan

Behind Banteay Kdai Siem Reap — And this is it… the end

Banteay kdei temple Siem Reap Cambodia — I took one photo from my phone

Banteay Kdei long chamber Siem Reap — And then we walked back

Me and my girlfriend started our day at 7am and after walking visiting, climbing, and walking through five temples with my camera equipment, by the time we reached Banteay Kdei… I honestly just looked at it like: “oh, another ruined structure made of stone blocks”. Yesterday I really wanted to do the whole catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat experience. Now, I just wanted to get back to our hotel, shower and rest! We were sooooo tired.

Angkor moat Siem Reap Cambodia — The skies weren’t the best in the mornings anyway

Leaving Angkor Park Siem Reap — That is not to say I did not enjoy my time at Angkor

Tourist area Siem Reap Cambodia — Visiting Angkor Wat is a must when in Cambodia and no matter how touristy it may appear to be, it’s worth it

Intersection Siem Reap Cambodia — But I was done. I saw enough once great Hindu temples for this trip.

We got back to our resort (Lavender Angkor Boutique Hotel), showered and then hit the swimming pool to cool off. It was a fun and relaxing way to end what was otherwise a very tiring day.

Date: 14 May 2018

The following morning, we just slept in and relaxed. We did not step out until the afternoon.

Siem Reap local market Cambodia — We checked out the local market after lunch

Inside Siem Reap local market Cambodia — Nothing special, but you get fresh seafood, meats, vegetables, fruits…

Clothes Siem Reap Cambodia — … and clothes, souvenirs and stuff catered to tourists as well

Drying meat Siem Reap market Cambodia — Dried meats on display

Lucky Mall Siem Reap Cambodia — On the way back, I went to Lucky Mall which is located close to Lavender Angkor Boutique Hotel

Inside Lucky Mall Siem Reap — It’s not a big mall or anything but it houses a supermarket, a small food court and some brand stores

By the way, inside the supermarket I saw international brands like Johnny Walker, Jack Daniel’s and other famous liquor brands being sold at prices I could not believe. They were shockingly low. I wondered if these liquors were even original. Turns out they most likely were. Fake liquor manufacturing and distribution is a real thing in Cambodia. So be careful! For all you know it’s cheap whiskey mixed with cola but who knows what they put in the bottles to mimic the appearance of whiskey.

Me and my girlfriend relaxed for much of today because… a) we needed it, and b) this was our last night in Siem Reap before catching the bus to Bangkok tomorrow. And that will be my final post in this Cambodia series.

Previous posts in this series:

Cambodia: Ta Prohm temple – the one famous for the tree roots

Cambodia: Ta Keo temple

Cambodia: Bayon temple – the one famous for stone faces

Cambodia: Visiting Angkor Wat

Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus

Cambodia: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh

Cambodia: Mekong River Sunrise Cruise… and an insight into Chinese investment in the region

Cambodia: Phnom Penh Central Market and Wat Phnom

Cambodia: S21, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Cambodia: Choeung Ek genocidal center — the infamous “Killing Fields”

Cambodia: Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh Night market