Thing to do
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
A nightly hour-long show of circus, theatre, music and dance by graduates of a Cambodian arts school, staged in a big top on Siem Reap's Ring…
Beng Mealea
A large, mostly unrestored 12th-century temple about 40 km east of the main Angkor group, explored on wooden walkways over tumbled stones and tree roots.
At a glance
- Type
- Jungle temple day trip
- Area
- Beng Mealea, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Opening
- Open daily · 06:00–18:30
- Official site
- angkorenterprise.gov.kh
Good to know
- Separate entry ticket
- Wooden walkway
- Unrestored ruins
Why we recommend it
Beng Mealea is the temple to visit if you want to feel like an early explorer at Angkor. It lies about 40 kilometres east of the main temple group, on the ancient royal highway that once ran to Preah Khan Kompong Svay, and it has been left largely as nature found it. Trees and undergrowth grow among its towers and courtyards, many of the stones lie in heaps, and the central sanctuary has collapsed.
Little is known about its history, as no inscription has been found to date it. Scholars place it in the early 12th century because its style matches Angkor Wat, and they attribute it to the reign of Suryavarman II. It was a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, though some carvings show Buddhist motifs. It is smaller than Angkor Wat but still one of the larger temples of the Khmer Empire, with an outer gallery measuring 181 by 152 metres and a moat around 45 metres wide that measures over a kilometre on its longer side. The sandstone is thought to have come from quarries on Phnom Kulen, about seven kilometres away, probably moved by canal.
Most of the visit follows a wooden walkway of around 250 metres that crosses the collapsed centre, giving views down into chambers and galleries buried under roots and rubble. The first part of the walkway was rebuilt and widened in early 2026, and the eastern causeway was excavated and restored in 2024 and 2025, so the approach is in better condition than it has been for years. Climbing on the ruins is unsafe, so stay on the walkways and marked paths.
Beng Mealea has its own entry ticket, separate from the Angkor Pass, sold through the official Angkor Enterprise website, which lists the site as open from 6am to 6:30pm. Allow an hour or two on site and around half a day in total including the drive. Early morning or late afternoon is cooler and quieter, and the shade of the trees makes it pleasant even in the heat.
The temple is often combined with Phnom Kulen, whose quarries supplied its stone, or with the Roluos group on the way back to Siem Reap. It suits photographers, adventurous families and anyone who has seen the main temples and wants a different atmosphere.
Beng Mealea FAQs
How far is Beng Mealea from Siem Reap?
It lies about 40 km east of the main Angkor temple group, so allow around half a day including the drive.
Is Beng Mealea included in the Angkor Pass?
No. It has its own ticket, sold through the official Angkor Enterprise website.
What are the opening hours?
Angkor Enterprise lists Beng Mealea as open from 6am to 6:30pm.
Has the temple been restored?
Only in part. Most of it remains unrestored, although the eastern causeway was restored in 2024 and 2025 and the walkway was rebuilt in 2026.
Who built Beng Mealea?
Its history is unknown, but its style matches Angkor Wat and it is attributed to the reign of Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.
How do you get around the ruins?
On a wooden walkway of about 250 metres that crosses the collapsed central area.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, older children usually enjoy it, but keep everyone on the walkways because the fallen stones are unstable.
Can I combine it with other sights?
Many visitors combine it with Phnom Kulen or the Roluos temples on the way back to Siem Reap.