Laputa Was Here! Cambodia's Beng Mealea Ruins

Studio Ghibli's masterpiece 'Castle in the Sky'
If you love traveling, you've probably admired that world and wished to embark on an adventure like Pazu's at least once.
There is a way to reach Laputa without meeting Sheeta, teaming up with the Dola family, or chasing Muska and the flying stone. First, head to Siem Reap, Cambodia!

The starting point of the journey: Siem Reap

The world heritage site everyone has heard of, the world heritage site seen in photos: Angkor Wat.
It is a magnificent temple built during the Khmer Empire.
During the tour briefing of this temple, I heard the name of the rumored ruins said to be the model for Laputa.
That is the Ben Mealea ruins!
About an hour and a half drive from Siem Reap, there was indeed a castle in the sky.

It's a waste to only see Angkor Wat!

The Beng Mealea Ruins are also part of the World Heritage 'Angkor Archaeological Park'.
It is a temple built before Angkor Wat, but restoration work has not progressed, leaving its collapsed state as it is.

A castle in the sky on earth

The world created by the fallen stones and the robustly growing trees is exactly like Laputa, the castle in the sky!
You can't help but find beauty wherever you look.

I wonder if a flying stone will glow somewhere? Will a robot soldier appear?
My imagination kept growing, and my long-forgotten childlike spirit was revived.

The visit to the super-famous temple Angkor Wat was scorching, but the Beng Mealea Ruins, surrounded by nature, were impressively cool.
It wasn't that vast, so it was comfortable to spend time there.
It was a temple that made me truly glad I didn't just end with Angkor Wat.