🌿 Beng Mealea
Cambodia
About This Sacred Site
Beng Mealea is a sprawling, largely unrestored temple about 40 kilometers east of the main Angkor group. Built in the 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II (the same king who built Angkor Wat), scholars believe it may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat due to similarities in layout and design. The temple is almost entirely consumed by jungle, with massive trees growing through collapsed galleries and towers. Its remote location and ruined state give visitors an experience close to what early explorers encountered when they first rediscovered Angkor.
Key Facts
- •May have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat based on architectural similarities
- •Built during the reign of Suryavarman II in the 12th century
- •Almost entirely engulfed by jungle and largely unrestored
- •The temple's layout closely mirrors that of Angkor Wat
- •Connected to Angkor by an ancient raised road
Location
Coordinates: 13.5886, 104.1014
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