“The lady temple”, “the tiny temple”, “the pink temple”; Banteay Srei goes by many nicknames, an indication of the distinctiveness of this little gem of a temple, which feels so different to the imposing grandeur of the main Angkorian complex.
Originally called Tribhuvanamahesvara, the name Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is a modern one, meaning “citadel of the women” or, “citadel of beauty”.
People speculate that this is due to its miniature scale, the pink colour of the limestone, and the elaborate decorative carvings of many devatas (minor female deities) that grace its walls.
How to get there
Banteay Srei is just over 20km from the main Angkor complex and a little over 30km from Siem Reap center.
It’s a pretty drive by tuk tuk, through villages and rice fields, and takes around 30 minutes from the temples of Angkor.
It’s also possible to do by bicycle, and is accessible by taxi as well. On the way to the temple you will pass the superb Landmine Museum; an information center and NGO which specializes in relief work for children affected by landmines and is well worth a short visit.
When to visit
The ideal time to visit Banteay Srei is in the early morning or late afternoon.
The site is very exposed and there is little shade from the heat of the day.
The temple doesn’t feature the same mazes of corridors as Bayon, and it’s not possible to sit in the shade of its walls like at Angkor Wat as they are too small to create much shadow.
It’s best to visit during the cooler times of day, which can also give you the opportunity for some stunning photos of the pink-coloured temple in the changing light.