Beng Mealea Temple Half-day Private tour
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Beng Mealea Temple Half-day Private tour
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Beng Mealea Temple Half-day Private tour

5 h
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Beng Mealea, 40 km east of Angkor Wat Cambodia

It was built as a Hindu temple, but there are some carvings depicting buddhist motifs.[1] 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. For years it was difficult to reach, but a road recently built to the temple complex of Koh Ker passes Beng Mealea and more visitors are coming to the site, as it is 77 km from Siem Reap by road.

The corridor in the temple.
The history of the temple is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.[1] Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king's main monument, Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire's larger temples: the gallery which forms the outer enclosure of the temple is 181 m by 152 m.[3] It was the center of a town, surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large and 45 m wide.[1]

Beng Mealea is oriented toward the east, but has entranceways from the other three cardinal directions. The basic layout is three enclosing galleries around a central sanctuary, collapsed at present. The enclosures are tied with "cruciform cloisters", like Angkor Wat. Structures known as libraries lie to the right and left of the avenue that leads in from the east. There is extensive carving of scenes from Hindu mythology, including the Churning of the Sea of Milk and Vishnu being borne by the bird god Garuda. Causeways have long balustrades formed by bodies of the seven-headed Naga serpent.

It was built mostly of sandstone: Beng Mealea is only 7 km far from the angkorian sandstone quarries of Phnom Kulen, as the crow flies. Presumably sandstone blocks used for Angkor were transported along artificial water canals and passed from here.[1] Despite of lack of information, the quality of architecture and decorations has drawn the attention of French scholars just from its discovery.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Beng Mealea, 40 km east of Angkor Wat Cambodia

Visit Sandstone Quarry

Duration: 15 minutes

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Included
  • Hotel pick up and Drop off
  • A/C Vehicle
  • Licensed tour guide
  • Cold drinking water
Not included
  • Ticket
  • Meals
  • Tip guide and driver
  • Other personal expense
  • Entry/Admission - Beng Mealea
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
85%
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