Banteay Kdei & Srah Srang
បន្ទាយក្តី / ស្រះស្រង់
A late 12th-century Buddhist temple with a flat, open plan, and the royal bathing pool opposite it. At sunrise the water reflects the morning light, making it quiet and uncrowded.
Banteay Kdei, meaning 'citadel of monks' cells,' is a Buddhist monastery built in the Jayavarman VII era. Its galleries stretch out flat, its four-faced gate towers stand among fallen stone heaps, and large trees dot the grounds. The atmosphere is quiet, with far fewer visitors than the nearby Ta Prohm.
The temple's east gate faces Srah Srang, an artificial pool about 700 metres long, said to have been reserved for the king and royal family to bathe in. Its western bank has a sandstone platform carved with nagas and lions. At sunrise, the sun rises over the far shore of the lake and its reflection is serene, making this a fine alternative to sunrise at Angkor Wat.
The temple lies about 1 km southeast of Ta Prohm and is on the Small Circuit. It requires an Angkor Pass (US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days, US$72 for 7 days).
Opening hours
Royal baths from 05:00; temple 07:30–17:30