Banteay Chhmar

Overview Banteay Chhmar is a large late Angkorian temple complex in Banteay Meanchey Province, northwestern Cambodia, noted for its extensive bas-reliefs and monumental stone faces. It dates principally to the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th to early 13th century.

What visitors find The complex contains a central sanctuary, ruined towers bearing carved godlike faces, long galleries and outer walls decorated with large bas-relief panels illustrating religious and historical scenes. Because it is remote and less visited than major Angkor sites, the carvings and avenues are often experienced with few other tourists present.

History Built under Jayavarman VII as part of a program of Buddhist monuments, Banteay Chhmar originally formed a major state temple featuring devotional imagery and royal iconography. Over subsequent centuries the complex fell into disuse and partial ruin; conservation efforts have been undertaken in recent decades to document and stabilize the structures and their carvings.

Location Banteay Chhmar sits in a rural area of Banteay Meanchey Province, near Cambodia’s northwest border with Thailand, accessible by road from Sisophon (Serey Saophoan) and farther towns in the region.

• Jayavarman VII architecture: Constructed in the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th to early 13th century, the site is notable for large-scale bas-reliefs and multiple stone faces on towers.

What to See #

• Main temple complex: The central temple complex with its ruined towers and sanctuary structures containing extensive carved bas-reliefs and blind galleries.
• Perimeter galleries and bas-reliefs: Peripheral galleries and walls lined with large bas-relief panels depicting scenes and devotional figures from the Jayavarman VII period.