Prasat Beng Mealea

My favorite temple. Truly a fascinating temple that defies explanation. Although the temple is largely destroyed it is an amazing place with some of the most remarkable structures and stone work that you don’t see at others. Something about it just doesn’t fit, it seems to possibly be from an earlier time. Well worth a visit and it does not have the crowds.

Amazing. A temple in harmony with nature. You can see the beautiful scenery created by the contrast between the moss's green color and the stone buildings.

Incredible jungle temple, less crowded and more wild than Angkor Wat. Tree roots grow through the ruins—feels like a movie set. Wear good shoes and go early. Tip: visit Angkor National Museum first to better understand the temple’s history.

See what nature will eventually do to all of man's works. This is an awesome place. Still virtually unrestored, Ta Prohm on steroids, the ultimate movie set for a Hollywood epic. This temple is well worth the time and travel to get there. There is nowhere like Beng Melea. If you can fit it into your agenda, if you are here long enough you should make it out here. I have to recommend a tour package though, because it just makes it so much better if you don't have to do all the arrangements, although the tour I took included Preah Vihear, which is another "must see" site, given the military action in the neighborhood, it might not be possible, but only time will tell, but if you can make it there as well it would be all to the good, but at any rate an air-conditioned minivan was the way to go. A lot of dozing was done between sites.

Amazing Temple in the jungle surrounded by trees. This temple is 72km out of town and so does not have many visitors. Having said that, I would highly recommend going. It’s a bit of a walk up a lane and out again, but the temple area itself has wooden staircases, balconies and steps that are well laid out. The first thing you see when entering the site is that the area is ‘under construction’. There is a huge crane uncovering lots of large rectangular slabs, each one if which is given a ‘placement number’ for re-positioning. One of the amazing wonders are the long bridge like stone structures that swan-neck up with a large cobra head on the tip. These snake-heads are intricately carved and detailed as are a number of stone structures in the area. As you wonder through this vast area, the most notable things are:- 1. The extraordinary amount are large rectangular slabs (each about 3’x1.5’x1.5’), each one with 2x2” holes (some more) for the insertion of sticks and twine for moving - although these slabs aren’t going anywhere as they are too difficult to move / reconstruct and too overwhelming cumbersome and abundant. 2. Many of the structures have trees growing around them or through them / and many of these very large trees are covered and smothered by smaller, thinner fig trees that surround, suffocate and kill the larger trees. A truly amazing and unique experience to witness. Remember to take water, sunscreen, a hat & maybe sunglasses. It’s hot in this part of the world. Also, I highly recommend getting a guide and driver with an air conditioned car. Going to any temple on a tuk-tuk or scooter on dirt or bumpy roads in traffic on a hot day does not look like much fun.

Very beautiful ancient temple. It’s located quite far from Siem Reap so it’s better to hire a car driver to reach this temple

A unique temple which has not been restored like many of the other popular temples. I really liked the esthetic of nature taking over. There were trees, roots and moss everywhere. Even though the temple is mostly ruins, it was a super interesting visit. I even saw a scorpion!

Amazing temple! Definitely one of my favourites. Worth the trip to get away from the crowds, see what the temples would have looked like without intervention and get some shade from the sun! The inner section was amazing!