The tenth century temple of Banteay Srei is renowned for its intricate decoration carved in pinkish sandstone that covers the walls like tapestry. This site warrants as much time as your schedule allows.
The roads have been recently repaired and it
takes about 30 minutes from Siem Reap to get to the temple. To reach Banteay
Srei, follow the main road north out of Siem Reap, turn right at Angkor Wat and
follow the road to Srah Srang where you turn right past Pre Rup.
At the East Mebon there is a check post where
you need to obtain clearnce. Turn right again at the road before the East
Mebon; pass through the village of Phoum Pradak, where there is a junctions (if
you continue straight, after about 5 minutes, you will reach Banteay Samre). At
this point, you come to a fork; take the road on the left and follow it to
Batneay Srei which you will reach shortly after crossing two rivers - on your
left hand side.
Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy
palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest; the very thing that
Grimm delighted to imagine, and that every child's heart has yearned after, but
which mature years has sadly proved too lovely to be true. And here it is, in
the Cambodian forest at Banteay Srei, carved not out of the stuff that dreams
are made of, but of solid sandstone.