Beng Mealea was built 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. 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 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. 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. It was the center of a town; surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large and 45 m wide. Pictures From Asia David Henley