Banteay Kdei Tours

Less visited than Siem Reap’s “big three” (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm), Banteay Kdei is a 12th-century Buddhist monastery that lies conveniently close to Ta Prohm and Srah Srang. The towering trees that overgrow the site add atmosphere, while it’s easy to imagine ancient monks praying and sleeping in the tiny cells as you stroll.

The Basics
As with most other Angkor-era sites, gain admission to Banteay Kdei with your Angkor Archaeological Park ticket. Choose between 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day passes; multi-day tickets can be spread across nonconsecutive days.

Banteay Kdei is typically visited as part of a broader Angkor day or multi-day tour, generally before or after nearby Ta Prohm, the “Tomb Raider temple.” Travel by tuk-tuk, by air-conditioned vehicle, on the back of a motorbike, or even by foot or on a bicycle.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Banteay Kdei is perfect for travelers who prefer their ruins without the crowds.
• Modest dress is required throughout the Angkor Archaeological Park: Cover shoulders and thighs.
• Be prepared to bargain if souvenir shopping from the stalls at Banteay Kdei.
• Banteay Kdei is mainly on one level, with some wheelchair access. However, as elsewhere at Angkor, rugged causeways and the occasional step mean it’s far from fully accessible.

How to Get There
Banteay Kdei lies about 7 miles (12 kilometers) northeast of downtown Siem Reap, five minutes’ walk from the Srah Srang reservoir and about 20 minutes on foot from Ta Prohm, within the Angkor Archaeological Park. There is no public transport to or within the park, so most travelers opt to join a tour or arrange a private driver/guide.
 
When to Get There
Banteay Kdei is open from early morning to late afternoon seven days a week and is rarely crowded. Morning is a particularly atmospheric time to visit, as the sunlight glistens on the waters of nearby Srah Srang. A stroll around Banteay Kdei is a calming way to start a day exploring the Khmer Empire.

How to Get off the Beaten Track Around Angkor Wat
One of the world’s largest religious monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat draws many millions of tourists to Cambodia each year. Yet it’s possible to beat the crowds by exploring some of the Khmer Empire’s less-visited sites. Besides Banteay Kdei, consider Ta Nei, Banteay Samré, and the river carvings at Kbal Spean.