From its birth in the 12th century all the way to the 19th century, the Banteay Kdei, which means ‘The Citadel of Chambers’ in the local tongue, was once a monastery in use by Buddhist monks. Now fallen to ruin, these sacred grounds provide for an incredible maze-like journey through its stone chambers.

Unlike the chaos and crowd that engulfs the traditional Big 3 Angkor ruins, namely the Angkor Wat, the Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, the Banteay Kdei is a serene, silent and restful spot. A forgotten gem in the craze for the Angkor temples, this citadel calls out to explorers to meander through its stony hallways in order to imagine the life of the many devout men who used to worship and pray at this forgotten monastery.

With its intricately carved stonewalls and gigantic trees casting shade from the relentless Cambodian sun, Banteay Kdei is indeed a place of meditation and reflection. Lose yourself within her walls and just for a moment, experience what it feels to submit yourself ancient forces much greater than we are. Even if you’re not the spiritual type, the Banteay Kdei nevertheless offers you a much-needed respite from the crowd at the main temples while still serving as a quaint and majestic spot for you to admire the ruins of Angkor.