Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea, meaning Lotus Pond, is a vast 12th-century temple located about 40 kilometers east of the main Angkor complex. Built during the reign of Suryavarman II on a similar ground plan to Angkor Wat, it is one of the largest temple sites in the Angkor region yet remains almost entirely unrestored and unexcavated. Jungle vegetation has grown unchecked through its sandstone galleries, toppling walls, carving roots through corridors, and burying entire sections under centuries of fallen stone. Wooden walkways allow visitors to navigate through the atmospheric chaos of collapsed towers, creeper-covered bas-reliefs, and shadowy passageways. The combination of large scale, complete wildness, and minimal tourist infrastructure makes Beng Mealea one of the most dramatic temple experiences in Cambodia.