Banteay Chhmar
Discover Banteay Chhmar
Banteay Chhmar Temple is in northwestern Cambodia. The temple complex is from the Angkorian era, just like Cambodia's top attraction, but more remote, less famous and therefore without the tourist crowds. The name also refers to the adjacent village of Khum Banteay Chhmar, where the services can be found. Banteay Chhmar Temple and its nine satellite temples form one the great temple complexes from the Angkorian era. The temple was constructed by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. The temple complex is one of the largest from the Angkorian era and is one of only two sites outside of Bayon Temple bearing the enigmatic Bayon-style face towers. Banteay Chhmar Temple is undergoing a multi-year conservation project by Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and the Cambodian government is in efforts to have Banteay Chhmar listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2010, Banteay Chhmar won the "Hidden Treasures Cambodia" destination award.
What to Experience in Banteay Chhmar
Taste of Banteay Chhmar...
Being so far away from a major city makes dining options somewhat limited. Whatever is available in the market usually becomes the main meal of the day. There are no Tex-Mex, Italian, or nouvelle cuisine here. The market area starts closing down around 17:00, so eat early or, if you are not eating in the CBT restaurant, ask the Chan Rom to prepare a meal to eat later. There are no bars, nightclubs or swinging karaoke joints in Banteay Chhmar. Beer (US$0.50 can) and other drinks can be bought in various shops and there are a couple of ice sellers where you can buy ice to keep your beverages chilled. There is electricity only from 18:00-23:00 in Banteay Chhmar. There are no Internet facilities. If you really need to use the Internet you can ask the CBT to borrow one of their computers and/or their USB modems. Please offer some compensation. As of early 2025 the operator Smart Mobile has spotty 4G coverage in and around Banteay Chhmar. The most popular half-day trip is to 14.0037103.11567 Banteay Torp Temple. This temple is 9 km south of Banteay Chhmar off of Hwy 56. The temple consists of three soaring and precarious looking towers teetering on the verge of collapse. The nearby pagoda has some beautiful wall paintings. Frequently, tourists will have a picnic lunch here on their way back to Sisophon. For groups, the CBT will arrange a kuyon for transportation. Otherwise, it is best reached by motorbike or taxi. Bicycles are not a good idea, especially in the rainy season.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBanteay Chhmar is most easily reached from Sisophon, 65 km south of Banteay Chhmar. Sisophon is at the junction of Hwy 5 and Hwy 6 and is a major transit hub linking Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, and Poipet (Thai border). There are numerous buses and taxis from Sisophon all day long. It should not be a problem getting to Sisophon. From Sisophon, taxis are the only practical way to reach Banteay Chhmar. You can find taxis at Psaar Thmei (New Market) on Highway 56, the road leading to Banteay Chhmar. The CBT provides taxis with its logo at this taxi stand. Shared taxis (carrying six passengers—four in the back and two in the front, plus the driver) cost $5 per person. If you need extra legroom, you can pay for two seats. A private taxi costs $25. During the dry season, the journey from Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar takes approximately one hour. However, in the rainy season, travel times may be longer depending on rainfall and road conditions....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Banteay Chhmar village, the main temple and the homestays are all close and can be easily covered on foot. Most of the satellite temples can also be reached on foot, or the CBT has bicycle rentals (US$1.50/day). There are two barays (large water reservoirs). The Mebon Baray can be walked or biked to. The Pol Pot Baray (3 km) is easier to reach by motorbike. There is no ATM in Banteay Chhmar. The closest ATM is in Sisophon. US dollars, Thai baht and Khmer riel are all accepted in the market and by the CBT. Being so far away from a major city makes dining options somewhat limited. Whatever is available in the market usually becomes the main meal of the day. There are no Tex-Mex, Italian, or nouvelle cuisine here. The market area starts closing down around 17:00, so eat early or, if you are not eating in the CBT restaurant, ask the Chan Rom to prepare a meal to eat later. There are no bars, nightclubs or swinging karaoke joints in Banteay Chhmar. Beer (US$0.
Where to Stay
There is electricity only from 18:00-23:00 in Banteay Chhmar. There are no Internet facilities. If you really need to use the Internet you can ask the CBT to borrow one of their computers and/or their USB modems. Please offer some compensation. As of early 2025 the operator Smart Mobile has spotty 4G coverage in and around Banteay Chhmar. The most popular half-day trip is to 14.0037103.11567 Banteay Torp Temple. This temple is 9 km south of Banteay Chhmar off of Hwy 56. The temple consists of three soaring and precarious looking towers teetering on the verge of collapse. The nearby pagoda has some beautiful wall paintings. Frequently, tourists will have a picnic lunch here on their way back to Sisophon. For groups, the CBT will arrange a kuyon for transportation. Otherwise, it is best reached by motorbike or taxi. Bicycles are not a good idea, especially in the rainy season.
Money & Budget
There is no ATM in Banteay Chhmar. The closest ATM is in Sisophon. US dollars, Thai baht and Khmer riel are all accepted in the market and by the CBT. Being so far away from a major city makes dining options somewhat limited. Whatever is available in the market usually becomes the main meal of the day. There are no Tex-Mex, Italian, or nouvelle cuisine here. The market area starts closing down around 17:00, so eat early or, if you are not eating in the CBT restaurant, ask the Chan Rom to prepare a meal to eat later. There are no bars, nightclubs or swinging karaoke joints in Banteay Chhmar. Beer (US$0.50 can) and other drinks can be bought in various shops and there are a couple of ice sellers where you can buy ice to keep your beverages chilled.