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angkor archeological park

Banteay kdei temple Siem Reap Cambodia

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

Date: 13 May 2018

After Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Keo temples, we were now at our fourth stop on our trike tour around the Angkor archeological park.

Ta Prohm tree Siem Reap
Seeing such tall trees as you walk toward Ta Prohm should give you a hint to the role trees play here
Ta Prohm India funding restoration
After seeing so many of the temples being renovated with the financial support of Germany, Japan, China and France, finally I came across one that is being funded by India (since 2010)!
Ta Prohm entrance Siem Reap
We entered Ta Prohm through here
Ta Prohm wedding shoot Siem Reap
Cambodians make use of these heritage ruins as backdrops for wedding photoshoots
Ta Prohm temple Siem Reap
Ta Prohm is yet another temple made on the orders of one of the Jayavarman kings but what really sets it apart from the other structures…
Ta Prohm tree roots
… is seeing these gigantic tree roots that have grown over the stones over the decades

Ta Prohm (or “Old Brahma”) was initially called Rajavihara. Whatever it was called then or now, Ta Prohm is more famous for being the temple in Angkor archeological park which has many trees whose roots have extended themselves around and through the gaps of the structures.

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Ta Keo temple Siem Reap

Cambodia: Ta Keo temple

Date: 13 May 2018

After Angkor Wat and Bayon, we were headed to the third stop on our tour around the Angkor archeological park.

Angkor park road Cambodia
We were getting around in a tricycle taxi that we hired for $15
Bayon entry gate Cambodia
Along the way we would stop to take photos
Stones Ta Keo Angkor park
As mentioned in previous posts, in between the major temples and structures of the Angkor park are other ruins
Ta Keo temple Siem Reap
This is Ta Keo temple

Ta Keo is one of the tallest monuments of the Angkor empire. Built to resemble a mountain, it was commissioned by Jayavarman V in early 11th century but the work was never finished. No one really knows why construction stopped.

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