The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is a relatively new eco-tourism tourist attraction in Siem Reap. It is, in fact, on the way to Banteay Srei Temple from Siem Reap. So you may consider taking a quick break to support, and enjoy a local centre.

En-route To Banteay Srei Temple

The moat around Banteay Srei

The drive from Angkor to Banteay Srei Temple has a few attractions along the way. The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is one of them (the Land Mine Museum is another). Our local guide insisted that we make a quick pit stop at the centre as it wouldn’t take more than 30 mins. We obliged.

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is a sanctuary for Cambodian butterflies. The exibihit is the largest of its kind in South Asia and boosts of numerous species of butterflies including the Lime butterfly, Atlas Moth and Peacock Pansy butterfly.

The centre aims to serve two purposes:

1. Protect, and preserve local butterfly species,
2. Help alleviate poverty in the region by providing employment

The centre timings are 9 AM to 5 PM daily, and the entry is $4 for adults, and $2 for children. Proceeds go towards sustaining local livelihoods, and butterfly species.

Once we paid the entry fee, we were assigned our guide, who was extremely knowledgeable, and friendly as he took us around the enclosure. He answered all our questions (even the stupid ones), and showed a genuine interest in the butterflies.

The enclosure was full of butterflies, of all colours, and sizes. We saw the different stages of metamorphosis, various exotic Cambodian species, and insects of all kinds (including a stick insect).

Is It Worth It?

Yes, of course.

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is even better if you have kids, but I’d still say it makes a short and sweet stop on your way to the Banteay Srei Temple. You’ll really enjoy it, and support local livelihoods while doing so.