Ban-teay Kdei Temple is a charming ancient temple located opposite the grand basin of Srah Srang to which it was once connected. Built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries during the reign of King Jayavarman seventh, it is in the Bayon architectural style, with a flat layout plan similar to the nearby Ta Prohm and, a short way to the north, Preah Khan Temple.

The main entrance is from the east, opposite Srah Srang while it is also possible to exit/enter via the western gate. The eastern gate is restored and the west only partially.

Shortly after entering via the east gate, there is a hut that surrounds an excavation site where you can see a statue that has been left in the ground partially exposed to showcase the archeological finds made here. The other artifacts found, including numerous Buddha statues and the wonderous piece of Khmer art that is the Thousand Buddha Pillar, are now on display at Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum.

The highlights of the site are its ruinous charm, eastern terrace with naga and lions, the gopuras (gates), the Buddha statue in the east gopura, the Hall of Dancers, pediment reliefs, and the majestic tree on the western side to name just some.

The site is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is included in the Angkor Pass. It’s recommended to spend at least one hour or longer if you like as it’s another site where you can make multiple visits and always come across something new.

Outer enclosure
The external enclosure, 700 m × 500m, is constructed of laterite with four gopuras (entry pavilions/gates) at each cardinal point featuring the monumental face towers similar to those at Ta Prohm being a cruciform shape with large entrances that are flanked by grand depictions of Garuda (the mythical bird) and side walls adorned with devata reliefs and false windows. Above the doors, the frontons and pediments are no longer in situ in places, while remnants can be seen in other places such as the north gate featuring a scene of Buddha’s defeat of Maya. Atop the entrance, a single tower rises up with monumental smiling faces pointing in each direction from which rises two false floors of a prasat, reducing in size and topped with a double lotus crown and spire.

Inside, there is a vast space before reaching the outer moat and entrance causeway, perhaps once occupied by the temple servants and lay people as per nearby sites such as recorded at Ta Prohm. On the eastern side, the causeway is flanked by remnants of two edicules, in a similar location to where Ta Prohm has a Dharmasala albeit what is seen here is much smaller in scale.

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