Bayon temple in Angkor Thom, tours from Siem Reap

Bayon overview

Bayon temple is definitely one of the main events of visiting Angkor ruins, along with Angkor Wat.

It is a large temple complex in Angkor Thom, Cambodia. And it is one of the most famous and recognizable temples in the Angkor Wat temple complex. Bayon was built in the late 12th or early 13th century, during the reign of the Khmer King Jayavarman VII. It is famous for its unique architectural style and the many enigmatic stone faces that adorn its towers.

Architecture

The temple is characterized by its pyramid-shaped structure, which is comprised of several levels and adorned with intricate carvings and bas-relief sculptures. One of the most distinctive features of Bayon is the hundreds of stone faces that are carved into its towers. These faces are believed to depict the king himself, and are thought to symbolize his power and authority over the Khmer Empire.

In addition to the stone faces, Bayon is also famous for its many elaborate carvings and sculptures, which depict scenes from everyday life, Hindu mythology, and scenes from the battles and victories of King Jayavarman VII.

Today, Bayon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia, and attracts visitors from around the world who are interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Khmer Empire. Despite its age and the many centuries of neglect and exposure to the elements, much of the temple’s intricate carvings and sculptures remain well-preserved and offer a unique window into the past.

Images of Bayon

Photos of the temple should be taken from the northwest corner, not the east or south where tourists come and go. If you shoot from here, you won’t see too many tourists.

Bayon temple

When you enter the temple, there are many wonderful statues and reliefs. The charm of Bayon is not limited to its large forest of towers. This is a dynamic relief.

relief

And a relief of Devata (goddess). It looks like a girl who seems to be around there.

Devata

Detailed reliefs can be seen here and there in the Bayon temple. Like Angkor Wat in particular, the first corridor is painted with a series of reliefs.

Bayon corridor

Going around the Bayon temple is an atmosphere of exploration. What discovery is next?

Bayon

Also such a beautiful dancer.

beautiful dancer

As you approach the center of Bayon, you will come out onto the second corridor, and the face of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will come closer. It has a somewhat Khmer look rather than Indian.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,  Bayon

A view of the central part of the temple.

central part of Bayon

Tours

These tours include the visit to Bayon. To see the full list of tours, click here.

Comments

10 responses to “Bayon temple in Angkor Thom, tours from Siem Reap”

  1. […] directly in front of the royal palace. By the way, the Gate of the Dead is directly in front of Bayon. But there is only a dirt road to the Gate of the […]

  2. […] under the age of 12 are prohibited from entering. Is it for safety? In any case, walking from Bayon to here in the heat and then climbing the steps of Baphuon is pretty tough. The building of the […]

  3. […] Suor Prat is a temple located in the ancient city of Angkor, near the Bayon Temple and Baphuon Temple. It was built in the late 12th or early 13th century, during the reign of King […]

  4. […] Preah Pittu ruins are small ruins in the central part of Angkor Thom. The temple is almost unvisited and there is no description on Trip Advisor for Angkor […]

  5. […] Terrace of the Elephants (Elephant Terrace) is a large platform located in the Angkor Thom, near Bayon and Baphuon. It was built in the early 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, and […]

  6. […] ancient Khmer engineering and architecture. The reservoir is part of the larger temple complex of Angkor Thom, and is often visited in conjunction with other temples in the […]

  7. […] Kdei is notable for its unique architectural style. This style combines some elements of both the Bayon and Ta Prohm temples, and for its extensive carvings and reliefs depicting scenes from Buddhist […]

  8. […] with Bayon and Angkor Wat, it has become a tourist attraction, and the only flaw is that it is always […]

  9. […] sword”, is a temple complex located in the ancient city of Angkor, Cambodia, north of famous Bayon temple. It was built in the late 12th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is one of the […]

  10. […] Thom complex, and most of the tours that visit Angkor Thom pass the Terrace. So you choose an Angkor Thom tour to visit […]