Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple

Guide Location: Center of Angkor Thom. Construction Period: Late 12th century. Religion: Buddhism. Highlights The Four-Faced Buddhas: Each of the 49 temple towers features a massive four-faced Buddha at the top. The serene faces with gentle smiles are typical of the Khmer people—these are the world-famous "Faces of the Bayon" that made Angkor Wat renowned. Walking among the many towers, no matter where you stand, you’ll find pairs of smiling eyes watching your every move.

Bas-reliefs: The temple’s gallery murals are also abundant, with the 1,200-meter-long bas-relief corridor featuring an astonishing 11,000 figures. The inner gallery mainly depicts mythological and religious stories, while the outer gallery focuses on real-life scenes—ranging from battlefields to daily labor, market trade, and other aspects of life. Such secular sculptural themes are very rare among the Angkor architectural complex. Introduction Bayon Temple rises like a mountain from the ground, with its 49 towers standing continuous like peaks, the central one being the summit, and the other 48 clustered around it like stars surrounding the moon. The temple’s architectural structure is quite complex, having undergone multiple renovations, reconstructions, and additions. The current structure is actually a combination of two temples from different eras and with different designs.

Tip: It’s recommended to go early when the air is fresh, the light is good, it’s not hot, and you’ll feel in a better mood.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia