🛕 Beng Mealea
បឹងមាលា
Also known as: Lotus Pond
Province
Siem Reap
Era
Classical Angkorian
Difficulty
🟠 Challenging
Crowds
👥 Moderate
Key Facts
Built: 12th century
Built by: King Suryavarman II
Religion: Hindu
Entry Fee: $5 (separate from Angkor Pass)
Time Needed: 1–2 hours
A massive, largely unrestored jungle temple about 40 km east of the main Angkor group — one of the most adventurous and atmospheric temple experiences.
Beng Mealea is the "Indiana Jones" of Cambodian temples — a massive, largely unrestored complex buried under centuries of jungle growth, about 40 km east of the main Angkor group. Built in the same period and style as Angkor Wat, it shares similar architectural features but on a smaller scale. The temple remains mostly collapsed and overgrown, creating an incredibly atmospheric adventure as visitors scramble over moss-covered stone blocks, through dark corridors, and under massive tree roots. Wooden walkways have been installed through some sections, but much of the temple requires careful navigation. The sense of discovery — of finding a "lost" temple in the jungle — makes Beng Mealea one of the most memorable experiences in Cambodia.
Background
Beng Mealea ("Lotus Pond") is a temple from the Angkor Wat period located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, on the ancient royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay. Its history is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. It was built as a Hindu temple, though some carvings depict Buddhist motifs, and its primary material is sandstone. The basic layout is three enclosing galleries around a central sanctuary, now collapsed, tied together by "cruciform cloisters" like Angkor Wat. Largely unrestored, it has trees and thick brush thriving amid its towers and courtyards, with many stones lying in great heaps.
Adapted from the Wikipedia article “Beng Mealea” (revision 1380146378, retrieved 19 October 2026), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; text condensed and edited.
Highlights
- ✦ Adventure through collapsed ruins
- ✦ Massive jungle overgrowth
- ✦ Minimal restoration — "lost temple" feel
- ✦ Wooden walkways through ruins
- ✦ Significantly fewer tourists than Angkor
- ✦ Similar layout to Angkor Wat
Best Time to Visit
Morning for cooler temperatures
Visitor Tips
- 💡 Located 65 km from Siem Reap — allow 1.5 hours each way
- 💡 Wear sturdy shoes with good grip
- 💡 Combine with Koh Ker for a full day trip
- 💡 Entry fee is separate from the Angkor Pass
Nearby Temples
13.5883°N, 104.0699°E
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