Go to one of many few remaining misplaced temples of Cambodia and get properly off-the-beaten-track at Beng Mealea – the wild ruins overrun by the jungle, not by the vacationers.
By: Mark Barnes |
Revealed: 16 Mar 2024
Beng Mealea is likely one of the most evocative Angkor temples round Siem Reap.
A central tower lies in rubble with vines and roots slowly constricting partitions adorned with historical Khmer artwork. By way of the dappled gentle of big timber rising by the ruins, spectacular carvings trace on the significance of this as soon as nice temple.
There may be simply sufficient standing at Beng Mealea to understand the grandeur, but the invading jungle offers it the haunting really feel of a ruined metropolis.
The whole lack of vacationers solely provides to the misplaced world vibe at Beng Mealea.
Learn on to learn the way to go to this magnificent smash in Cambodia.
IN THIS GUIDE
VISITING BENG MEALEA TEMPLE
WHY VISIT BENG MEALEA
Beng Mealea is the most evocative Angkor temple round Siem Reap.
Whereas different temples have a consumed-by-the-forest really feel reminiscent of Ta Prohm and Ta Som, their roots and vines are literally maintained to cease the temples from being utterly overrun.
Beng Mealea however, is totally wild. The central tower lies in a pile of rubble and partitions are crumbling from the load of vines and tree roots.
Aside from a couple of boardwalks, the temple stays utterly untouched. However there’s simply sufficient temple standing to counsel a misplaced grandeur. The invading jungle offers it the haunting really feel of a really ruined metropolis.
The opposite foremost purpose to go to is that nobody goes and also you’re very more likely to have the entire place to your self.
HISTORY OF BENG MEALEA
Beng Mealea was constructed within the 12th century within the reign of King Suryavarman II. It was constructed as a Hindu Temple, however like many Angkor Temples, the carvings depict a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist symbols.
Designed within the Angkor Wat type, the central sanctuary is surrounded by three galleries, that are enclosed by 4 partitions. Your complete space is surrounded by a moat 1200 metres lengthy and 900 metres extensive.
It’s thought the temple was deserted within the 16th century and was not found till French explorers stumbled upon it within the 19th century. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative Record in 2020 in anticipation of turning into a completely recognised UNESCO web site.
WHAT TO SEE AT BENG MEALEA
The most effective factor to do at Beng Mealea is to easily stroll round and take in the ambiance, however right here are some things to maintain an eye fixed out for.
- The collapsed tower within the central sanctuary.
- The 3 galleries surrounding the sanctuary.
- The north-eastern library with the depiction of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
- The southwest library with the curved roof intact.
- The adorned lintels depicting Hindu scenes.
It’s not permitted to climb over the boulders, however be sure to stroll across the again of the temple to see a great part of the outer wall nonetheless in place.
BENG MEALEA TICKETS
Till just lately, it was doable to purchase a person ticket on the entrance. Nevertheless, Beng Mealea is now included on the Angkor Go, and you can’t see it with out buying this go.
Remember, you can’t purchase the go on the entrance to Beng Mealea. The one place you should purchase the Angkor Go is on the ticket centre in Siem Reap (Nook of Highway 60 and Apsara Highway) or on-line.
We advocate ordering your Angkor Temples Go on-line earlier than you go.
- 1-Day Go ($37) – Entry to all of the Angkor temples for 1 day.
- 3-Day Go ($62) – Entry to all of the Angkor temples for any 3 days in a 10-day interval.
- 7-Day Go ($72) – Entry to all of the Angkor temples for any 7 days in a 1-month interval.
We advise you purchase the 3-day go and comply with our 3-day Siem Reap itinerary.
BENG MEALEA HOURS
Beng Mealea is open every single day from 7:30 am to five:30 pm.
WHERE IS BENG MEALEA?
Beng Mealea is 40 kilometres east of the primary Angkor temples.
HOW TO GET TO BENG MEALEA
Beng Mealea is a 1-hour drive from Siem Reap and finest visited by taxi. It prices about $45-$55 for a taxi driver to take you from Siem Reap to Beng Mealea, wait whilst you go to the temple, after which take you again to Siem Reap.
The 60-minute drive from Siem Reap retains customer numbers down. Now we have been twice, arriving shortly after it opens each instances, and had been the one folks there.
You too can go by tuk-tuk, it’s a bit cheaper, but it surely takes 90 minutes every method so that you’re on the highway for an additional hour.
BENG MEALEA DAY TRIPS
You’ll be able to go to Beng Mealea by itself, but it surely typically makes extra sense to incorporate it on a half-day or full-day journey that features a number of the different highlights round Siem Reap.
Listed here are another concepts:
OUTER TEMPLES TOUR
There are a number of temples dotted round Siem Reap that may be mixed on a day tour to Beng Mealea.
Begin on the Roluos Group, subsequent head to Beng Mealea, after which to Banteay Srei for the unbelievable Khmer carvings.
Many excursions embrace the ‘lingas’ (fertility symbols) within the river Kbal Spean, however personally we don’t assume it’s definitely worth the effort. As an alternative make a cease on the Cambodia Landmine Museum, which is on the highway again to Siem Reap.
Prices & Length – A taxi ought to price about $75 to finish the circuit of the above websites. The Landmine Museum is $5 per individual. Your complete round route with stops takes about 6-7 hours.
BENG MEALEA, BANTEAY SREI AND KOMPONG PHLUK
This can be a busy, however glorious day. Within the morning get and early begin and take a taxi to Beng Mealea, after which go to Banteay Srei earlier than heading again to Siem Reap.
Within the afternoon be a part of a floating village tour of Kompong Phluk. That is what we advocate on Day 2 of our 3-day Siem Reap itinerary.
Prices & Length – The taxi to Beng Mealea and Banteay Srei must be round $65, the Kompong Phluk tour is round $25 per individual.
BENG MEALEA & KOMPONG KHLEANG
Beng Mealea and the floating village of Kompong Khleang make an incredible day trip.
Each are close to one another to the east of Siem Reap and each are extra off the crushed observe than different temples and villages.
Moreover, you may also assist the neighborhood by utilizing Kompong Khleang Excursions. This organisation will get ongoing approval for its actions from the village, entails them in selections, and employs villagers. Income are reinvested again into the neighborhood with nearly 50% serving to to fund training on the Bridge of Life Faculty.
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