Beng Mealea Temple: A Practical Guide to Cambodia’s Ruined Sanctuary
Contents
Beng Mealea, “Lotus Pond,” is a large Khmer temple that has been left mostly to the jungle. Fallen blocks, tree roots and carved walls fill the passages. The temple sits about 40 km east of Angkor and about 77 km from Siem Reap, along the old royal road to Preah Khan of Kompong Svay.[1]
Large parts remain uncleared, which makes exploring it more of an adventure than at Ta Prohm. Some paths are hard to walk, and a guide helps you find the way.[1] Follow the route that is open on the day, watch your footing around unstable stone and do not climb on or move carved blocks.
What to look for
Look for carved apsaras, nagas and other deities on the walls and lintels.[1] The temple has suffered from age, tropical weather and large trees growing on it that slowly break the stone apart. A canal nearby connected the site to the Great Lake and may have carried sandstone from the quarries.[1] Slow down, stay on the open paths and look at the carving among the fallen blocks and roots. Visit in daylight.
Things to Do
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Plan the day from Siem Reap
The temple is about 77 km from Siem Reap, so plan a half day or more, agree on the pickup point and return time with your driver and leave enough daylight for the way back. Roads can be slower after rain, so ask your driver. For a longer day, combine Beng Mealea with Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean or Phnom Kulen.[1]
If you want more temple planning in the country, continue with the Cambodia guide.
Tickets and visiting hours
Beng Mealea has its own one-day ticket at USD 10, separate from the 1-day (USD 37), 3-day (USD 62) and 7-day (USD 72) passes for the Angkor Temples Park. The ticket listing gives entry from 06:00 to 18:30.[2] The temple’s visitor page gives 07:00 to 18:30.[1] Buy your ticket only from the Angkor Ticket Office run by Angkor Enterprise, because tickets bought elsewhere are not valid.[1]
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Angkor Enterprise: Beng Mealea visitor guidance, difficult paths, daylight travel and posted hours. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] Angkor Enterprise: Beng Mealea one-day ticket listing, displayed price and posted entry and closing hours. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beng Mealea, “Lotus Pond,” is a large, mostly ruined Khmer temple about 77 km from Siem Reap and 40 km east of Angkor, along the old royal road to Preah Khan of Kompong Svay. Much of it is uncleared and overgrown with trees.
Carvings of apsaras, nagas and other deities, and stonework broken up by age, weather and large trees. Stay on the open route and take a guide to find the way.
A one-day Beng Mealea ticket costs USD 10. Buy it only at the official Angkor Ticket Office.
The ticket listing gives entry from 06:00, the temple’s visitor page 07:00. Both give closing at 18:30.
Yes. Some paths are difficult to walk, and a guide helps you navigate them.
Yes. Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen fit a longer outing. Leave enough daylight for the drive back to Siem Reap.
Plan a half day or more: the temple is about 77 km from Siem Reap, and you want time to explore it in daylight.
