Bayon Temple / Angkor Thom
ប្រាសាទបាយ័ន / អង្គរធំ
The center of King Jayavarman VII's capital holds 216 faces of “the Khmer smile” across 54 towers. Together with the south gate's giant statues and the Elephant Terrace, it is Angkor's most iconic ruin.
Angkor Thom, meaning “Great City,” was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, founded by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. It measures 3 kilometers on each side, and its walls are 8 meters high. Of its five gates, the south gate is the best preserved. Along the causeway in front of it, 54 gods and 54 demons each hold one side of a seven-headed naga as they churn the Ocean of Milk. This is the classic image of entering Angkor Thom.
In the center of the city, the Bayon is the state temple of the king. It originally had 54 towers, and each one carries four giant faces with mysterious smiles, believed to be modeled on the king himself or on the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. About 200 of these “Khmer smiles” survive. The outer gallery reliefs depict naval battles between the Khmer and the Cham, along with scenes of daily life, and they are of great historical value.
A recommended route is to enter through the south gate and visit the Bayon first, which takes about 1–1.5 hours. Then walk north to Baphuon (which you can climb), the Phimeanakas (Flying Palace), the Elephant Terrace, and the Leper King Terrace. Finally, leave by the Victory Gate or the north gate and head to Ta Prohm. The whole of Angkor Thom takes 2–3 hours.
The Bayon's upper levels are narrow, and tour groups gather between 8:30 and 11:00. It is best to arrive when the gates open at 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Bicycles work well on the shaded paths inside the city. Monkeys are common, so keep your belongings close.
Opening hours
07:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Baphuon
- Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King
- Phnom Bakheng
- Chau Say Tevoda
- Thommanon
- Ta Keo
- Preah Khan
- Ta Prohm