Beng Mealea

Located 42 km northeast of Siem Reap and 6.5 km southeast of Phnom Kulen, Beng Mealea—literally meaning “Lotus Pond”—is a Buddhist temple and one of the most mysterious sites in the ancient Angkor complex. Isolated and enveloped by thick jungle, this archaeological gem exudes a serene and almost magical atmosphere, making it a dream destination for adventurers and lovers of ancient ruins.

Historical Background

Beng Mealea Temple was built between 1112 and 1152 during the reign of King Suryavarman II. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it was initially a Hindu place of worship.

The temple gained wider recognition after it was used as a filming location for Jean-Jacques Annaud’s movie Two Brothers. The majestic ruins served as a perfect backdrop for this cinematic production, helping to popularize the site globally.

Visiting Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea is surrounded by an immense moat measuring 1.2 km long and 900 meters wide. Within its grounds are three concentric enclosures containing libraries, galleries, a central sanctuary, and a cruciform terrace.

Despite its ruined state, the architectural resemblance to Angkor Wat is still evident. Both temples were constructed around the same period, and some historians believe that Angkor Wat was modeled after Beng Mealea, making the former a large-scale replica of this temple.

Built in blue sandstone and oriented to the east, the temple features three galleries leading toward the central sanctuary. The outermost gallery is the most prominent, measuring 181 meters in length and 152 meters in width. It is flanked on the south and east by towers that bear striking similarities to those found in Angkor Wat.

Today, much of Beng Mealea lies in ruins. The once grand structures have collapsed and are now entirely overtaken by the jungle. Yet, the scattered remains continue to captivate visitors. Hindu and Buddhist bas-reliefs emerge from moss-covered beams, lintels, pediments, and crumbling sandstone blocks, entwined with roots and vines.

Although originally a Hindu temple, Beng Mealea was later converted into a Buddhist site. Its discreet yet intricate decoration reflects both Hindu and Buddhist cultural influences.

The bas-reliefs depict various Hindu scenes, including episodes from the Ramayana, as well as figures such as Krishna, Yama, and Brahma. The cruciform terrace features Naga balustrades—sculpted representations of serpents and cobras, important mythological creatures in Khmer tradition.

Among the Angkor temples, Beng Mealea is among the least preserved. Today, it is fully reclaimed by nature. Giant trees grow throughout the site, with their massive roots and vines winding around columns and sandstone blocks. Two dominant species—the silk-cotton tree and the strangler fig—have taken over much of the temple, earning it the reputation of a hidden treasure in a secret garden.

Because of its jungle-covered ruins, Beng Mealea has become a kind of adventure park for visitors, where one can experience the thrill of exploration. Treasure hunts are even organized here, inviting participants to search for hidden clues among the fallen stones, clamber over sandstone blocks, step across giant roots, and peel back moss in search of secrets. For anyone who has dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, Beng Mealea holds a special allure.

How to get there

From Siem Reap, the journey takes approximately 1 hour by car and around 1.5 hours by tuk-tuk.

Several local travel agencies also offer minibus or private car services to the site.

Opening Hours

Beng Mealea is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.