Baphuon
បាពួន
An 11th-century three-tiered pyramid state temple that was dismantled and rebuilt by French archaeologists, earning it the name 'the world's largest jigsaw puzzle.'
Baphuon lies northwest of the Bayon, within Angkor Thom. It was built by Udayadityavarman II in the mid-11th century and dedicated to Shiva. Originally about 50 metres tall, it was the grandest state temple of its time. Because its foundations were soft, it collapsed several times. In the 1960s, the French School of Asian Studies took it apart into about 300,000 numbered stones, but records were lost during the civil war. Reconstruction was only finished in 2011, after half a century, which is why it is called 'the world's largest jigsaw puzzle.'
You approach from the east along an elevated causeway about 200 metres long. From the top, you can overlook Angkor Thom. On the western wall, a reclining Buddha about 70 metres long was added in the 16th century.
Visit it together with the Bayon and the Terrace of the Elephants. It requires an Angkor Pass (US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days, US$72 for 7 days).
Opening hours
07:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King
- Bayon Temple / Angkor Thom
- Phnom Bakheng
- Thommanon
- Chau Say Tevoda
- Preah Khan
- Ta Keo
- Ta Prohm