Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom

Guide Location: About 1.5 km north of Angkor Wat. Construction period: 9th–13th centuries. Function: City (capital). Highlights: The moat bridge: Stone carvings on both sides of the bridge depict the story of the Devas and Asuras joining forces to churn the Ocean of Milk to obtain the elixir of immortality. There are 27 statues on each side, each 2.2 meters tall, sitting in a kneeling posture, jointly holding a giant serpent as they pull with force. You can distinguish their identities by observing the statues' facial expressions: those with slender eyes and subtle expressions are Devas (gods), while those with fierce, wide-open eyes and menacing looks are Asuras (demons). South Gate: The gate tower is 23 meters high, topped with a massive four-faced Buddha statue wearing a serene smile, one of the iconic images of the Angkor ruins. Bayon Temple: The most important and grandest structure in the city. Baphuon Temple: Once the center of the old royal city, this typical three-tiered Angkorian structure features various animal statues at its base, though its top has collapsed. Currently, the temple is temporarily closed for restoration.

Phimeanakas: A temple within the royal palace and the tallest structure in the city, with a golden tower once built on its highest platform.

Terrace of the Elephants: The king’s reviewing stand, used for ceremonial events and elephant fights. Remnants of large elephant stone carvings still remain. Terrace of the Leper King: The site of the royal crematorium at the time, named after a genderless statue of the “Leper King” at the top of the platform. However, the reason behind the name “Leper King” is debated—some say it’s because the original statue was covered in moss, while others believe it depicts a king who suffered from leprosy. The original statue has been moved to the National Museum in Phnom Penh, and the current one is a replica. Introduction: Also known as Great Angkor, Angkor Thom was the capital of the Khmer Empire, the most magnificent city in Southeast Asian history, with a population of over a million at its peak. It was destroyed multiple times by war, underwent several restorations, and was eventually abandoned in 1426.

City Layout: Angkor Thom is square-shaped, with city walls stretching 14 km in circumference, surrounded by a moat up to 100 meters wide. The city had five gates—the South and North Gates were for everyday civilian use, the East Gate was used for funeral processions, and the West Gate was reserved for criminals. To the north of the East Gate lies a Victory Gate, which leads directly to the royal palace and was exclusively for the king’s use. Bayon Temple is located at the city center, symbolizing Mount Meru, the center of the universe, from which roads leading to all four gates originate. The royal palace was situated in the northwest part of the city.

Cambodia’s Angkor Wat