Recently cleared of mines and with restoration work under way, Banteay Chmar may one day be an attraction as large as Angkor Wat. The news link also has a video in it.
2nd Angkor Wat to wake
CNTN, 13 April 2012
The temples at Banteay Chhmar, dubbed as Cambodia’s “Second Angkor Wat” are slowly returning to life after eight centuries of isolated slumber.
Archaeologists have been invited to rebuild the ancient temples stone by stone. With landmines cleared and roads being paved, the temples will soon be on the tourist trail.
The famous temples at Angkor Wat are Cambodia’s biggest tourist attraction, drawing around 7-thousand tourists a day from around the world.
Yet 160 kilometers to the west, in Banteay Chhmar, the scene couldn’t be more different.
Known as Cambodia’s “Second Angkor Wat”, the 12 square kilometer complex of ancient Angkorian temples attracts just one or two visitors a day. The temple was built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th Century – shortly after he constructed Angkor Wat – to commemorate his son, who was killed in battle.
Full story (and video) here.
