Cambodia Restores Beng Mealea Temple Causeway with Chinese Funding

ANA via Xinhua

Cambodian archaeologists are restoring the eastern causeway of Beng Mealea, a 12th-century temple within the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, as part of a conservation effort funded by China’s Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund.

The restoration project, which began in July 2024 and is set to finish by August 2025, aims to revitalise the damaged causeway of the temple, which shares architectural similarities with the renowned Angkor Wat.

According to Boeut Sopak, an engineer with the APSARA National Authority (ANA), the team has repaired pillars, beams, Naga balustrades, and collapsed sections of the structure. Work is ongoing to reinstall Naga heads and replace eroded soil with laterite, a material that enhances stability and protects against water damage.

Beyond safeguarding Cambodia’s Khmer heritage, the project has also created jobs for local communities, fostering greater involvement in historical preservation.

Situated in Siem Reap province, Beng Mealea is one of 91 ancient temples spread across the 401-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia’s top tourist destination.

This restoration underscores China’s growing role in heritage conservation within Southeast Asia, reflecting both regional cooperation and geopolitical influence.

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