Banteay Srei, Siem Reap, Cambodia

After exploring the temples of Angkor Thom on our first full day in Cambodia (including Bayon Temple, which I shared last week), we headed out to Banteay Srei in the afternoon. It's a bit of a drive from the city of Siem Reap, but it is definitely worth the extra time because of the intricate nature of the carvings.



Banteay Srei means "Citadel of Women," so named because the temple seems to have been built by women. This is because (1) the carvings are very intricate and detailed, which is considered to be more feminine, and (2) the temple is built to a smaller scale than most temples in Cambodia, which hints the buildings may have accommodated women better than their larger male counterparts. Here are just a few examples of the delicate carvings at Banteay Srei:















I don't know why, but I just loved these windows, which were carved as seen above at almost all the temples we visited. Our guide explained they were built to help with ventilation inside the temples. (After only a few days in the Cambodian humidity, I definitely support this architectural trend!)









If the pictures above haven't already convinced you, trust me: Banteay Srei is worth the short drive if you ever find yourself in Siem Reap! You will also get to see the beautiful countryside and many traditional Cambodian houses on the way, which I will (of course) share in a later post.

Which carvings do you like better: those at Banteay Srei or Bayon Temple?

P.S. — I'm thrilled to announce I'm taking over the @girlgoneinternational Instagram account this week, thanks to the lovely Bonnie Rose! Be sure to head over and check out my travel posts. :)

Linking up with Bonnie Rose for Travel Tuesday, Ash for Two for Tuesdays, and Nicole for Treat Yo'Self Thursday.