The jungle temple of Beng Mealea was a perfect grand finale for our exploration of Cambodia’s Khmer temples. It fed our desire for adventure and sense of discovery. If exploring Ta Phrom made us fantasize we were some kind of Indiana Jones, at Beng Mealea we played the part!
Beng Mealea is one of the remote and unrestored Khmer temples. It was not opened to the public until it was cleared of landmines in late 2003. With the completion of the new road, it is now more accessible and can be reached by car from Siem Reap in about one hour and a half.
Beng Mealea was built in early 12th century by the same king who founded Angkor Wat. The two temples, in fact, were constructed in identical design. Beng Melea was built earlier and smaller in scale. Other than these few facts, the history of Beng Melea is unknown as there were no inscriptions found on site.
Upon entering the causeway that lead to the main site, we were greeted by well-preserved sculptures of Naga (serpents) heads like the ones in Angkor Wat. And apparently, this is where the good state of preservation ended……
This sight of the amazing mound of rubbles made us stop and gasp. (We wondered if the French explorers had the same reaction when they first stumbled into the site in the 19th century?)
The remnant of the library in the outer enclosure.
Like in Ta Prohm, the jungle rules in Beng Mealea.
Upon reaching the main temple area, we saw a wooden walkway that looked like the only way in and we naturally navigated to it.
But one of the friendly temple guards who we were chatting with earlier called us back and told us that we should start at this door. It was in a low key area and didn’t look like a proper entry so we were not sure if he was serious. Sensing our hesitation, he took the lead and told us to follow him.
The state of beautiful dilapidation we saw inside amazed us. We felt like Indiana Jones in a mission of discovery.
We climbed up and down the rubbles to get from one room to the next.
We meandered through long, dark hallways. (Our cellphone flashlights were useful.)
We stepped over and under the giant hanging roots and stems.
And we discovered treasures! No, not in the form of jewelries and gold, but of exquisite sculptures from 1,000 years ago. They were strewn on the ground or squeezed in between rubbles.
After some more rock scrambling, we reached some of the inner structures that were veiled with vegetation and mystery.
Scrambling out of one of the galleries.
This is Ching Supiye, the wonderful temple guard who showed us around the labyrinth of the temple. If not for him, we would probably just stayed on the walkways and we wouldn’t have explored Beng Mealea to the fullest. We realized that this is one temple where a guide is essential.
We saw local kids climbing up the roofs with ease like they were monkeys. We thought they were so brave. Then Ching told us, “That’s where we are going next!”
After climbing up through the rocks, we reached a ledge on the rooftop. It was two-stories high and was a bit unnerving.
We crossed to a wide platform and enjoyed the spectacular view from the top.
There were steps and ladders in some areas. The wooden walkways that snake around some part of the main temple were built to dolly the cameras for the filming of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s 2004 film Two Brothers.
After the filming, the walkways remained on site making it easier for visitors to navigate some of the area. However, visitors without guides may mistake it as the offiial route to follow and miss out on the incredible exploration of the inner temple.
Some of the intricate lintels and fallen pediments we found at Beng Mealea. Some were similar to the ones we saw at Angkor Wat.
Some of the adorable and friendly local children we met at the temple. We thought it was so cool for them to have the temple as their playground.
We will always be grateful to Ching. Beng Mealea was our favorite temple experience in Cambodia, but our most favorite memories of Beng Mealea are the kindness, warmth and the uplifting smiles of Ching and the children we met at the temple.
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- Beng Mealea is located about 80 kms north of Siem Reap.
- We rented a car and combined the visit to Beng Mealea with a trip to the more remote temple complex of Koh Ker, which is about an hour and 15 minutes drive further north.
- The admission to Beng Mealea is US$5..
This link is part of Travel Photo Thursday and the The Tablescaper. Check it out for more interesting travel links.
what an amazing place. Thank you so much for taking us there. It certainly looked like something from Indiana Jones!
Have a wonderful week. I look forward to your next travel log.
Hi Jill, it is really a fun, amazing place. You have a good week, too!
Can just imagine how you felt like Indiana Jones on this adventure. Stunning and thought provoking pics of an amazing place.
Hi Jo, the place was so raw and so ancient, it was hard not to feel like an explorer:) Gald you enjoyed the pics.
Wow, it has only been open to the public for 10 years. It is only when you see a figure in the ruins that you can tell their true proportions. Amazing. Should we just hire a guide on arrival at the complex and hope that Ching is there?
budget jan recently posted..Kaikoura A Meal of Crayfish with a side of Whale Seal and Dolphin
Hi Jan, I’m sure you’ll will enjoy this temple. I say hire a guide on arrival bec. you’re most likely to get one who is local to the area. They should be the be the best ones because they know the nook and crannies of the temple. Or hopefully you get to see Ching!
Thanks, I can’t wait
budget jan recently posted..Kaikoura A Meal of Crayfish with a side of Whale Seal and Dolphin
The place is enormous and mysterious. I could almost hear the movie theme-song playing as I scrolled through the post. Nice job!!
Jackie Smith recently posted..That Easter in Greece ~
Thanks Jackie! Ha! Ha! Streaming the soundtrack in this post would have been nice!
I hadn’t realized there were so many Khmer temples. How cool is it for the kids to have this as their playground indeed. Love all the intricate details on those sculptures. What a great way to end your tour. I really like that this one seems geared more towards the locals than the tourists. Jealous of your Indiana Jones experience
Incredible place, Marisol! Now, I really need to move Cambodia up my travel list.
Mary {The World Is A Book} recently posted..Exploring Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen
Hello Mary,
Yes, there are so many of them. This is actually my second visit to Cambodia. The first time was in 2005 and I saw way too many temples and I got templed out. They started to blend together and didn’t remember much of them. This time we only visited what I thought were the highlights plus the remote ones that I didn’t get to visit then.
Yes, you should move Cambodia up in your list. It’s a beautiful country with wonderful people.
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Otsuka Ai – Peach
Thank you, Muza-chan!
Definitely an experience reminiscent of Indiana Jones!
If the ruins at Beng Mealea look this impressive, I can only imagine how the temple looked when it still stood.
Angkor Wat is on my list of temples, I’ll now have to add Beng Mealea.
Marcia recently posted..Ahhh….Ras Natango: When Life Gives You Rocks
Hey Marcia, I can see you rock scrambling in this temple. You should definitely put it on your list. It’s a difference experience from all the other temples.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my virtual wander with you through temples I’ve never heard of. Of course for me the first thing that comes to mind is snakes. Are there not some hidden in the rocks.
Hats off to you for so thoroughly enjoying your Indiana Jones style of adventure – and a good lesson on why it pays to hire a guide.
Leigh recently posted..8 Great Canadian Train Trips
Hi Leigh,
Oh, we’re so glad that you enjoyed wandering with us! We didn’t see any snakes but it doesn’t meant there isn’t any:) Actually we didn’t think of it then. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and so thankful for the temple guard who volunteered to guide us.
Wow, I would love this, so would my husband! Looks like a real adventure. Great photos.
Thanks Emily! It’s really a fun adventure. I’m sure you and your husband will enjoy it.
This is the sort of place I absolutely love to “discover” in my travels, particularly since I really love Cambodian art and temples. With your tour of Cambodia, if you haven’t discovered it, you should read Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay. I’m giving away a copy when my review is published in June (that’s when the paperback comes out, but you can get the hardback now.)
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Vintage Photos Make for Time Travel
Hi Vera, thank you so much for telling me about a book. I just looked it up and is something I definitely would love to read. I’ll watched out for your review. There’s some books I’m reading so I can wait until June.
I’m sure you will love Cambodia. I hope you get to travel there soon.
Love your Indiana Jones explorations
Sophie recently posted..Norfolk Coast Path: horizons
Hi Sophie, glad you enjoyed it,
This is very impressive! So beautiful and it really does look like an Indiana Jones experience! What a wonderful place to visit.
RobinfromCA recently posted..Pacific Grove Splendor
Hi Robin, it truly is an impressive place to visit. Glad you enjoyed it.
That looks amazing! It’s hard to believe those ancient statues and carvings are just lying there on the ground like that.
Jess recently posted..DC Cup-pies
Jess, It amazed us too that those precious relics were just scattered everywhere but then that what also made the ruin so raw and authentic.
What an incredible place, Marisol – and your photos are beautiful! Your posts make me want to head off to that part of the world to do some exploring!
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..Old-Fashioned Fun at Avonlea Village
Hi Lisa, thanks. It will be an incredible place for your family to explore. I hope to get to Cambodia soon. I don’t think we saw a Starbucks. Just warn Emma ahead of time:)
Now that’s an adventure, everything glorious. Some of the heights might bother me but not resist if I got to visit. Thanks for coming by,love visits.
Ann
Ann recently posted..Oh, The Places I’ve Been #5
Hi Ann, the height is worth daring to see the view of the glorious sights of the ruins from above. Thanks for dropping by.
This is an amazing place. What fun to get to see your photos. Thank you!
Hi Sarah, our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Fascinating photos. What a wonderful adventure too!
Karen Dawkins recently posted..Hidden Gems: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Thanks Karen. It was a wonderful adventure indeed.
This place looks downright magical! I can’t imagine actually being there.
Wonderful to have you at Oh,the PLACES I’ve been!
– The Tablescaper
Our pleasure! Thanks for having us.
The more that you post about Cambodia, the longer that I think I will need to extend my visit there. Beng Mealea looks like just the type of place my family would love exploring (especially once we figured out that we didn’t have to stay on the wooden walkways). However, I don’t know if we’re up to the long drive out there.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..Penang’s Vanishing Heritage Trades
Hi Michelle, I’m sure your family will enjoy exploring this temple. You know the drive for us didn’t feel that long because we enjoyed the sights along the countryside.
So Indiana Jones like – those trees that slowly but surely are taking over these temples really add to the atmosphere, eh?
jill recently posted..El Hoyo – This Crazy Gringa Climbs A Volcano
Hi Jill, yes, those gigantic ancient trees make the temple very atmospheric.
Beautiful shots! Beng Malea was one of our favourite temples too
Madhu recently posted..The Khmer On The Water
Thanks Madhu! Wasn’t Beng Mealea a lot of fun. I know, it’s an easy favorite:)
Definitely an Indiana Jones experience! What a great travel moment to collect
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: Maui according to Bonnie
HI Ayngelina, it truly was a great travel moment to collect.
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Incredible photos! It looks like you have been on quite an adventure! I will have to make sure i visit Beng Mealea on my next trip to Siem Reap
Thanks Laura! Definitely visit Beng Melea next time. It is truly worth it
Hi Marisol
Beng Maelea is my favorite temple too
It’s an interactive experience, the best angkor temple for me.
Me and my new friend scrambled our way through the rubbles and small passages, hopped from one boulder to another. We were able to climb up the roof too using the hanging branches and roots (that we called ouselves “two monkey girls”) and walked above the walls and columns as we move to another chamber – we could hear our guide(I think he is a guard there too) telling us “oh, be careful ladies!”. If he only knew we’re really enjoying it. It’s like we have discovered a portal that opens to another world, an adventure that delves into ancient angkorian era. Good thing there’s only a few tourists when we were arrived. Would love to go back there and stay longer. 2 hrs of temple run is really short. Amazing is not enough to describe it. We really had fun
Hi Mina, so nice to hear that you enjoyed this temple/ruin as well. It truly was the most fun ruin for us and it sounds like you had the same experience. Thanks for dropping by.