Banteay Chhmar
The Lost Jungle Temple

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The age-old temples amidst the lush green and exotic jungles of Cambodia make it an explorer’s paradise. Cambodia is full of such jungle-temples but Banteay Chhmar or Narrow Fortress is the most exiting of all! 

Tourist Info:

• Tourists can reach Banteay Chhmar from Sisophon by taking Road 56. The trip will take approximately 3 hours. The road needs a 4×4 vehicle.


• There is no entry fee to the temple but you can give the guard at the temple entrance some dollars.


• Hiring a taxi from Sisophon will cost between $35 and $50 for a day.


• Hiring a taxi from Siem Reap will cost between $50 and $70 for a day and will take approx 4 hours to reach Banteay Chhmar.


• Get food and water along with you.


• Bring a hat, strong walking shoes and some mosquito repellent.

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What makes Banteay Chhmar so exciting?

The enormous complex of Banteay Chhmar is one of the most intriguing in the Khmer empire, both for its scale and its secluded location. The never-excavated Banteay Chhmar fits the picture of a lost Khmer city with its ruined structures, carvings, forest surroundings and bird life flying through the temple. The structure has a romantic and mystic feel to it…and this is what makes it so special to tourists.

Banteay Chhmar, which dates from the late 12th to the early 13th century, is thought to have been built by Jayarvarman II. It was rebuilt later by Jayarvarman VII as a funerary temple in honor of his sons and four generals who were killed in a battle repelling a Cham invasion in 1177.

Two interesting diversions on the way to Banteay Chhmar:

Ta Prohm: It is a single tower in the village, just within the original walls of the outer enclosure.

Banteay Top: It is the citadel of the Army, approx 15 kms south of Banteay Chhmar. It boasts a spectacular ruined tower, with some original 12th Century timber still in position.

The mystery of the lost city…

Just like Preah Khan, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Banteay Chhmar formerly enclosed a city with the temple at the heart. However, there are no traces of the city that once surrounded the temple. The temple city covers an area of 2 kms by 2 and a half kms. It includes the main temple complex and several other religious structures.

Banteay Chhmar is surrounded by a wide mote similar to that of Angkor Thom. This mote is used by the locals for fishing and daily chores. There is a bustling small market and a village bounds the east and south east of the temple.

The exciting journey to this exotic Cambodian site is one thing you will never forget all your life!