Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 452

The last great capital of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom took monumental to a whole
new level. Set over 10 sq km it was built in part as a reaction to the surprise sacking of
Angkor by the Chams‒Jayavarman VII (r 1181-1219) decided that his empire would nev-
er again be vulnerable at home. Beyond the formidable walls is a massive moat that would
have stopped all but the hardiest invaders in their tracks.

TOP ANGKOR EXPERIENCES

» See the sun rise over the holiest of holies, Angkor Wat , the world's largest religious building.
» Contemplate the serenity and splendour of the Bayon , its 216 enigmatic faces staring out into the
jungle.
» Witness nature reclaiming the stones at the mysterious ruin of Ta Prohm , the Tomb Raider temple.
» Stare in wonder at the delicate carvings adorning Banteay Srei , the finest seen at Angkor.
» Trek deep into the jungle to discover the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean .

Sights

Bayon
MAP
Right at the heart of Angkor Thom is the Bayon, the mesmerising if slightly mind-bending
state temple of Jayavarman VII. It epitomises the creative genius and inflated ego of Cam-
bodia's legendary king. Its 54 Gothic towers are famously decorated with 216 enormous,
coldly smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara that bear more than a passing resemblance to the
great king himself. These huge visages glare down from every angle, exuding power and
control with a hint of humanity - precisely the blend required to hold sway over such a
vast empire, ensuring that disparate and far-flung populations yielded to the monarch's
magnanimous will.
The Bayon is decorated with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating more than
11,000 figures. The famous carvings on the outer wall of the first level vividly depict
everyday life in 12th-century Cambodia.

BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Baphuon
MAP

HINDU TEMPLE