From Siem Reap: Day car explore Banteay Srei & Beng Mealea

Banteay Srei is known for its incredibly intricate pink sandstone carvings, while Beng Mealea is an atmospheric "jungle temple" where a large portion of the ruins are left untouched, giving it a mysterious feel. Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, renowned for its fine detail. Beng Mealea is a 12th-century Hindu temple built on a much larger scale, with its layout and style suggestive of its builder, Suryavarman II. 

Banteay Srei

• Discover: This temple is called the "Citadel of Women" and is famous for its incredibly detailed carvings in pink sandstone. The intricate designs cover the entire structure, including doorways, lintels, and walls, and feature scenes from Hindu mythology.
• Atmosphere: Due to its location, it is often less crowded than the main Angkor temples, providing a more peaceful experience.
• History: Built in the 10th century, it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva

Beng Mealea

• Discover: This is a large, 12th-century temple that has been largely left in its ruins, with much of the temple embraced by the jungle.
• Atmosphere: It has a mysterious and genuine feel, with green moss covering the stones and the sounds of the jungle creating a unique atmosphere.
• History: Like Angkor Wat, it was originally a Hindu temple built during the reign of Suryavarman II

Why visit both?

• A visit to both provides a contrast between two different styles of temple discovery: the meticulously restored beauty of Banteay Srei and the wild, natural atmosphere of Beng Mealea.
• They are often visited on the same day tour, with a local guide, as they are both considered some of the "less visited" sites in the Angkor region.