lechua photography

Angkor Thom meaning ‘Great City’ comprises of a group of temples within a walled enclosure surrounded by a moat, and is situated north of Angkor Wat.

entrance to Bayon

The Bayon, known as the ‘Temple of Beaming Faces’ and the most famous sight within this compound, is located in the centre of Angkor Thom. This three-tiered pyramid temple consists of 51 towers each with a head facing 4 directions (north, south, east, west). It is still unclear as to what the heads of the Bayon represent; one of the beliefs it that the sculptures are a representation of King Jayavarman VII in the form of the Universal Buddha.

the beaming face

four-sided faces at every corner you turn

tower rising amongst the skies

the framing of a face

Head on north from the Bayon and the immediate temple on the left is the Baphuon that can be reached by a 172-m long sandstone causeway supported on pillars. Although intended to be a huge five-tiered temple mountain, there is not much to see at the moment as it is under restoration.

long causeway to Baphuon

Baphuon under restoration

Continuing on north is the Terrace of the Elephants, a 300m long terrace used originally as a royal reception pavilion, with its name derived from the carvings of elephants on the wall.

elephant trunks

centre platform of the Elephant Terrace with lion statues, naga balustrades and wall carvings of garudas (mythical bird-man) and lion headed figures

carving of an elephant and a polo game (to the left of photo) on the North end of the Elephant Terrace

Next to the Terrace of the Elephants is the Terrace of the Leper King. Walk along the 7m high wall with bands of bas-reliefs and intricate carvings.

the hidden wall

close up carvings of devatas (female deity)

Opposite the Terrace of the Elephants is the North Khleang and South Khleang, a symmetry of each other. There is a road beween the North and South Kleang that leads out of Angkor Thom via the Victory Gate (towards Ta Prohm and the East Baray).

the Khleangs from a distance