Built By
King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th Century
City Dimensions
Square 9 km² fortified city with 8m walls
Key Temples
Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Elephants
Iconic Feature
216 monumental smiling faces on 54 towers
The Great Fortified Royal City
Angkor Thom ('Great City') was the magnificent royal capital established by King Jayavarman VII after liberating Angkor from Cham invaders in 1181. Enclosed by an 8-meter-high defensive stone wall and a 100-meter-wide moat, the city is entered through five colossal gates crowned with four gigantic stone faces and guarded by causeways lined with 54 gods and 54 demons holding the body of a sacred Naga.
The Bayon: The Temple of Smiling Faces
At the exact geographical centre of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon, Jayavarman VII's state temple. Rising in three tiers to a central sanctuary, its 54 Gothic towers are adorned with 216 serene, gigantic stone faces depicting the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (infused with the features of the king himself). The lower galleries feature 1.2 kilometers of astonishingly detailed carvings showing everyday 12th-century Khmer street life, cockfights, market stalls, and naval battles.
Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King
Spanning 350 meters along the Royal Square, the Terrace of the Elephants served as a giant viewing platform from which the king inspected returning victorious armies. Its retaining walls are covered in life-sized carvings of marching elephants and mahouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tour Angkor Thom?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours to comfortably explore Bayon, Baphuon, and the Elephant Terrace.