Angkor Thom and the Bayon
Great City Angkor Thom · Bayon State Temple
Khmer Empire 1181–1243 CE (Bayon peak Jayavarman VII)·Khmer Mahayana Buddhist (with Shaiva syncretism)·🇰🇭 Siem Reap Province, Angkor Park, Cambodia
About
About Angkor Thom and the Bayon
Khmer capital city (late 12th century by Jayavarman VII) covering 9 km² walled square with Bayon state temple – 54 towers with 216 enigmatic smiling Avalokiteshvara faces blending Mahayana compassion with ancestor cult. Terraces of Elephants and Leper King, Baphuon pyramid and 8 m laterite walls illustrate Khmer urban mandala after Angkor Wat.
Why it mattersKhmer capital city (late 12th century by Jayavarman VII) covering 9 km² walled square with Bayon state temple – 54 tower
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Face towers count 54 vs 216 – whose face? Jayavarman VII as Bodhisattva?
- 02Hydraulic city behind walls – where reservoir beyond Angkor Thom moat?
Theories
- 01Bayon faces as Avalokiteshvara-Jayavarman syncretism marking Buddhist turn
- 02LiDAR reveals Thom moat as part of greater Angkor 1000 km² low-density city
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1181–1218 construction after Cham sack 1177
- Period
- Khmer Empire 1181–1243 CE (Bayon peak Jayavarman VII)
- Culture
- Khmer Mahayana Buddhist (with Shaiva syncretism)
- Purpose
- Imperial capital mandala and compassionate Buddhist state ideology after Hindu Angkor Wat
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1181–1218 construction after Cham sack 1177
Initial construction
c. 1447 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
13.4430° N · 103.8590° E · 40 m · 3 mapped features
Bayon central tower faces
tower temple54 towers each with 4 faces 216 total
13.4430° N · 103.8590° ETerrace of the Elephants (300 m)
terraceElephant-supported audience terrace east of Bayon
13.4455° N · 103.8580° ESouth Gate causeway and naga bridge
gate causewaySouthern gopura with deva-asura naga balustrade
13.4405° N · 103.8590° E
Gallery