Ancient City of Khmer Empire

Beng Mealea is jungle temple located in 77 km from Siem Reap it was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century that was as a Hindu temple, but there are some carvings depicting buddhist motifs. Its primary material is sandstone and it is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps.

After this jungle temple you going to visit Koh Ker Temple ‘ Khmer Pyramid temple’ that was built by King Jayavarman IV in 9th Century that also was a capital of the Khmer empire in (928 AD), numerous sanctuaries with Shiva-lingas existed already. Koh Ker was a cult site where Shiva had been worshiped a long time. Also Jayavarman IV was an ardent worshiper of this Hindu god. As later kings (whose residence was not in Koh Ker) changed from Hinduism to Buddhism they gave orders to make the necessary adjustments at their temples.

The city of Koh Ker was on the most important strategic route of the Khmer empire. Coming from Angkor and Beng Mealea to Koh Ker this road led to Prasat Preah Vihear and from there to Phimai in Thailand and Wat Phu in Laos. The region of Koh Ker is relatively dry. Numerous water-tanks and canals were built during the 9th and the 10th century to ensure the water supply.