Siem Reap’s Lesser Visited Temples

While Angkor Wat may get the most glory, there are hundreds of temples worth visiting in the Siem Reap area, in particular in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Some you may even end up liking better, as I did. Get outside of the main groupings in favor of the Roulos Group or those outside of Siem Reap altogether.

If you’re lucky, they may have hardly anyone there, which gives you the illusion you’re discovering it for the first time. I highly recommend the Canby Publications website and guides for more information on lesser-visited temples and their histories.

Must-See Temples in Siem Reap

Baphuon

We visited Baphuon at the end of our whirlwind day around the Angkor complex, which our tuk tuk driver parked in front of. I hadn’t heard anything about the temple, despite its easy proximity to the others. Built in the 11th century, Baphuon has recently been restored and reopened for visitors.

It features a long causeway to the temple and steep stairs that allow for a great view of the surrounding temples. End at the west side, where you’ll see the impressive reclining Buddha with a face similar to the iconic ones over at Bayon.

Bakong

As one of the most impressive of the Roulos Group, Bakong is a late 9th-century Hindu temple. It’s the center point of the original Angkor capital, Hariharalaya. It’s been well preserved and has much of the same design style as the later Angkor Wat temples. Climb up to the top for a view.

Beng Melea

Ta Prohm may get attention from those who saw it featured in Tomb Raider, but Beng Melea is a real jungle temple, with vines covering nearly every inch of rubble. I visited this temple because I had heard it had been less restored and would be less crowded, but only the first proved to be true.

But unlike Ta Prohm, you can get much closer to the temple. It was surrounded by land mines until the last seven or so years. Beng Melea is located 60 kilometers from Siem Reap, making it a long trip in a tuk tuk or motorbike.

I visited on a day tour with Beyond Unique Escapes, which I highly recommend. Note that this temple requires separate $5 entry not covered by the Angkor pass.

Banteay Srei

Known as the “Citadel of the Women,” Banteay Srei is differentiated by its almost pink-colored sandstone and single level. Built in the late 10th century for the god Shiva and rediscovered by the French as recently as 1914, the temple has some of the best examples of Khmer carvings featuring women, monkeys and other figures from Hindu stories. It features two libraries with false doors.

Bantay Kdei

Largely unrestored, this 12th-century monastic Buddhist complex sprawls across much of the area outside Angkor Thom. While some of it has suffered from wear and vandalism, it has some impressive sandstone carvings. It’s also called a “citadel of chambers” for the many cells that make up the temple where monks took up residence until the 1960s.

Have you seen any of Siem Reap’s lesser visited temples? What was your favorite?