Angkor Temple
Guide
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The Angkor Site on essentials

Know Priority temples, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Srey, Pre Rup, Banteay Samre, Banteay Kdei, Preah Vihear

How to arrange your visit

Consult the whole list of temples from Angkor and from Roluos classified according to location and Art style.
How to come to Siem Reap and how to visit temples

Photos of Angkor temples

Pics of Temples

Khmer Architecture and Art style

Know the main Architecture trends and the different styles of the Angkor Art

Angkor Thom
Capital City

Map of Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom was the capital city of Jayavarman VII (1181-1218), 9 km2, where is located the remains of the Royal Palace, the Suor Prasat Towers and some temples including Preah Palilay, Preah Pithu, and especially the Baphuon mountain-temple and the enigmatic Bayon temple. Looking at these remains of stone monuments let us imagine the past grandeur of this great capital and the considerable population who lived within the enclosure of Angkor Thom

ROYAL PALACE

Original remains of the Royal Palace can be found in Phimeanakas and among Elephant and Leper King Terraces

PHIMEANAKAS

This earlier Temple from the 10th century is a laterite and sandstone pyramid where the king worshipped. The view from the top is nice

ELEPHANTS TERRACE

The 300 metre long Terrace of Elephants is sculpted with a variety of images such as an elephant procession with lotus flowers or garudas and lions. The most impressive decorations are the life-size stone elephants and two horses with five heads on the Northern end of the platform

TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING

This double terrace wall has wonderful bas-reliefs. In the exterior wall, decorations are serpents, garudas with many arms, and women. In the interior wall, we can also see some elephants. And a statue is on the top of the terrace, it is the Leper King, naked, in a seated position. The origins of this statue are matter of debate. Some argue it is a Javanese style. Only a copy can be seen there because the original is in the National Museum in Phnom Penh
Baphuon

Baphuon

Built in the 11th century, before Angkor Thom even if it is situated inside the royal city of Angkor Thom, this is the largest temple-mountain and it is renowned for its bas-reliefs : everyday life or mythical scenes, touching in their small detail and naivety. The best tile-like frames are on the Northeast exterior walls
Baphuon is with works in progress, and will reopen at the end of 2009. The EFEO (Ecole Française d’Extrème Orient) is working for restoration of the large reclining Buddha that stretches the full length of the 40 metre long temple platform base

Baphuon

Bayon

Bayon is the main temple of the square-shaped city Angkor Thom. It is known for its 49 carved stone towers with big faces looking out to the four cardinal points and with an enigmatic smile. Inspired by Javanese style, these faces would be protector gods of the Buddha truth. But bas-reliefs also show Hindu inspiration with a Shiva and Vishnu worship. This State temple may aimed at tying all kingdom energies and all kind of worship
More pics

Bayon

HB - 2008