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A Detailed Guide to seeing the Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Temples from Siem Reap
Seeing the ancient Koh Ker temple, and the magnificent Beng Mealea temple, both located near Siem Reap in Cambodia, can be a very rewarding experience and a wonderful way to spend time while vacationing in this incredibly beautiful country. In this guide, we provide detailed information on how to best visit these two amazing locales from the city of Siem Reap.
What are the Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Temples?
Well known for its incredible Angkor Wat structure, Cambodia boasts a number of architectural wonders that are worth visiting. The Koh Ker temple, though greatly neglected, still is awe-inspiring. Located in close proximity to Siem Reap in Cambodia, the Koh Ker Hindu Temple complex dates from the 9th-10th century and is one of the destinations that should be included on any Cambodia itinerary. This ruin is expansive and full of carvings and restorations that provide glimpses into the history that it is steeped in.
On the other hand, the Beng Mealea Temple is considered to be one of the most spectacular, yet little-visited, complexes in all of Cambodia. A vast array of largely unrestored buildings, monuments, palaces, and gardens make this a must-see destination in the region. Located just an hour outside of Siem Reap, the Beng Mealea temple is a stunning ruin that is widely known for its free-standing structures and impressive spires.
Getting to the Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Temples From Siem Reap
In order to visit these two historical sites from Siem Reap, it is possible to hire a car or book a tour with a local travel operator.
Hiring a Car
The benefits of hiring a car from Siem Reap to visit these two temples are numerous. It’s quite easy to hire a car from Siem Reap for the day, and your driver can take you directly to Koh Ker and then to Beng Mealea. Self-driving is not allowed so you can just relax in your hired car and enjoy the journey. Depending upon traffic, it usually takes around 4-5 hours in total to reach both places and return back to Siem Reap. Along the way, there are some interesting stops that you can make that will provide an even more comprehensive look at what the region has to offer; however, these can add further time to your journey.
Tours
A great way to visit both temples is to book a guided tour that includes both locations. This will make your journey much smoother and hassle-free, as an experienced guide will be able to explain the history of the temples as you move between them. You can find plenty of tour operators in Siem Reap that offer trips to the villas and tours are usually quite reasonably priced; however, be sure to compare different operators before booking any particular tour package. There’s a few good ones such as GetYourGuide, which offer comprehensive tours (fully customizable) that include meals, transfers, entrance tickets and more besides.
Things to Consider Before Visiting
One should always remember to wear appropriate clothing before visiting these sites; be sure to cover your arms, shoulders and knees before entering any temple. Also be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen if visiting in warmer weather as it can get extremely hot inside some of the temples due to their age and lack of ventilation. In addition, it’s important to remember that many parts of these ancient ruins require climbing, so don’t forget your comfortable shoes as well!
My Personal Experience Visiting These Temples
My visit to these two sites was an unforgettable experience. Despite its largely collapsed state, Koh Ker is still awe-inspiring; particularly its signature Bayon style towers that stand tall amid rock-cut sanctuaries and terraces. The sheer grandeur of the site can transport you back in time, as one can imagine what this area may have looked like in its former glory days. We spent about two hours there before continuing our journey onto Beng Mealea Temple.
We arrived at Beng Mealea at around 3 pm on a particularly sunny day. Entry into the temple complex requires taking off our shoes so I’d recommend bringing slip ons if possible – this also helps when you come across sudden puddles that remain around after rain showers! As we made our way through many terraces and ruins, I couldn’t help but marvel at the workmanship of such an ancient structure; it felt like I stumbled upon something so hidden away from sight that was totally untouched by modern civilization.
After we spent quite some time exploring Beng Mealea Temple’s various monuments and palaces, it was already getting dark so we decided to head back; which took us around one hour. All in all it was an incredible experience, one I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting Cambodia – seeing these two temples really made my trip!
Conclusion
Visiting the Koh Ker and Beng Mealea temples make for an unforgettable experience that adds another layer of history to any trip in Cambodia. Whether you choose to hire your own car or book a tour with a local operator, there are numerous ways to visit these two amazing sights from Siem Reap. Just remember to dress appropriately, bring some sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and don’t forget to take lots of photos! For a comprehensive tour experience that offers not just great value for money but also flexibility in customizing it depending on your travel needs (including transfers, meals, entrance fees and more!), check out GetYourGuide.
