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Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Chhmar) is the main tourist attraction in the province of Banteay Meanchey Province, is one of the 12th century temples often looted and many of its treasures taken away to private collections around the world.

Banteay Chhmar built during the reign Dzhayavarmane VII (reign 1181-1201), on the spot the previous church was built in 9 century. This complex was the largest and most spectacular of the Buddhist temples in Ankorsky period and most important, after Angkor. Until now, there is debate about the origin of Banteay Chhmar, some scientists believe that it was built in memory of his son Jayavarman VII, other sources suggest that it could be built as a funerary temple for the king's grandmother. Initially, its scope was 2 to 2.5 kilometers, surrounded the perimeter of his 9-kilometer wall adorned with images of military and religious scenes.

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Most of the wall has already collapsed and the best of it's reliefs are on the west side. Banteay Chhmar is one of the few temples in Cambodia where the person depicted Avalokiteshvara, both at the Bayon temple at Ankor. Many of the towers of Banteay Chhmara collapsed, and now has only 3 towers with these mysterious facial expressions. The temple complex is striking in its carvings depicting daily life in Angkor period. Similar images adorn the walls of Angkor.

The uniqueness of Banteay Chhmar was in a sequence of eight-armed Avalokiteshvara, who adorned the outer galleries, 6 of them were destroyed in 1998 as a result of the attack of marauders. Cambodian and Thai authorities have begun to suppress the illicit trade in antiquities in Cambodia and many values regained. Just Banteay Chhmar was included in the World Monuments Fund, which is engaged in its protection and restoration of the bas-reliefs of the temple. Banteay Chhmar was closed before the end of the Civil War, and was almost completely absorbed in the jungle, which gave him a mystery, but authorities decided to remove the jungle, in a place with them taking a magical effect.

Tourists with great interest, visit temples in Cambodia, and attend not only to Siem Reap and Banteay Chhmar. But they should not expect anything that is as impressive as the main temple of Angkor. Around Banteay Chhmar there are several tens of smaller temples, which also can be visited. One of them Banteay Top (Army Fortress), a small temple, with its unique atmosphere. The temple was constructed during the reign of Banteay Chhmar, quite possibly as a tribute to the army Jayavarman VII. Banteay Chhmar located 63 km north of Sisophon and about 20 km east of the border with Thailand. To get to the place you can order a day trip from Siem Ripa or rent a car, motorcycle Sisophon. Admission to the territory of Banteay Chhmar is $5.