Explore Beng Mealea Temple, Siem Reap: Angkor's Mysterious and Fascinating Temple

Deep in the dense jungles of Cambodia , Beng Mealea Temple in Angkor is one of the lesser-known but extremely attractive Siem Reap tourist destinations with its wild and mysterious beauty. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II, the founder of Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea carries a mysterious history and is a must-see for those who love to explore ancient architectural works.

Location and history of Beng Mealea temple

Beng Mealea is one of the most mysterious Angkor temples in Siem Reap. (Photo: Collected)

Beng Mealea Temple in Angkor is about 77 km from the center of Siem Reap city on Highway 6. This is a special temple located in the Angkor complex, but little known to tourists, largely because the area was forgotten for centuries. The temple was discovered by French archaeologists in 1954, when they realized that this could be the burial place of King Suryavarman II along with the treasures of the Angkor dynasty.
King Suryavarman II was one of the greatest kings of the Khmer Empire, the one who built Angkor Wat, the wonder of the world known to millions. However, after his death, the temple and the Angkor dynasty fell into oblivion for centuries.

Discover the architecture and secrets of Beng Mealea temple

Beng Mealea is almost completely wild. The central tower lies in ruins and the walls are crumbling under the weight of vines and tree roots. (Photo: Collected)

Built in the Hindu style, mainly made of sandstone, Beng Mealea Temple in Angkor has a similar architecture to Angkor Wat but is much smaller. However, this temple is no less magnificent. Most of the structures have been destroyed over time, but you can still see the intricate carvings depicting the gods Vishnu, Garuda and Apsaras - symbols of Hindu mythology.
The special feature of Beng Mealea is that the temple grounds are almost completely invaded by trees and vines, creating a mysterious and magical space. Tree roots emerge from the rock crevices, wrapping around the ancient gates, making this area like a "secret garden" that cannot be found anywhere else in the Angkor complex.

Highlights of Beng Mealea Temple

The style of Beng Mealea temple and Angkor Wat are very similar, the Apsara carvings are almost identical. (Photo: Collected)

The Beng Mealea Temple at Angkor was built in a cruciform shape, with three galleries surrounding a central sanctuary. Today, the site is nothing more than a pile of rubble, but the grandeur of what was once the religious and cultural center of the Khmer empire is still evident.
Over the years, Beng Mealea Temple in Angkor has become a tourist attraction not only because of its ancient beauty but also because of its unsolved mysteries. This place was once the burial place of King Suryavarman II, but after many excavations, his body was not found. This remains a big question, increasing the attraction and mystery of this temple.

Explore the road to Beng Mealea Temple

Except for a few plank walkways, the temple remains completely untouched and desolate. (Photo: Collected)

Today, visitors can reach the Beng Mealea Temple in Angkor by following a trail that leads into the temple area. However, in previous years, the area was difficult to access because it was covered in dense jungle, along with dangers such as unscrutinized landmines after the war. Since 2003, the Cambodian government has opened the road to the temple, making it easier for visitors to visit and admire this ancient structure.

Source: https://travel.com.vn/tin-tuc-du-lich/den-beng-mealea-siem-reap-ngoi-den-bi-an-cua-angkor-v16883.aspx