PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The eastern causeway of the centuries-old Beng Mealea temple in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park has become stronger and more attractive following restoration under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Wednesday.
ANA's archaeologist Leu Channora said after many months of dedicated restoration work, the eastern causeway of Beng Mealea Temple has regained its strength and beauty after it had deteriorated to the point of nearly losing its original shape.
"Today, visitors can admire the eastern causeway in its full architectural form, especially the striking Naga balustrades on both sides, a remarkable feature that had been lost for hundreds of years due to severe damage and deterioration," he said.
The restoration team expressed their pride and pleasure in contributing to the preservation of this ancestral heritage, marking a new chapter in the history of Beng Mealea temple and enhancing its attractiveness to both national and international tourists.
The first phase of the restoration project, which started in May 2024 and was completed in July 2025, covered about 100 meters in length and 13 meters in width, the news release said, adding that this initiative was made possible under the LMC Special Fund.
The restoration included careful repair and reinstallation of the Naga balustrades, beams, and pillars, all of which were returned to their original positions, Channora said, adding that the project has also restored the water drainage system, allowing water to flow naturally through the causeway once again.
The causeway features 12 pillars and 13 drainage channels, he said, adding that this causeway serves as the longest eastern entrance to the temple.
Built in the middle of the 12th century, the layout and style of Beng Mealea temple are very similar to those of the iconic Angkor Wat temple, the ANA said.
Made of blue sandstone, Beng Mealea temple is one of the key temples in the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province.
The Angkor Archaeological Park, the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian nation, is home to 91 ancient temples built from the ninth to the 13th centuries. ■
