Angkor Thom is a Buddhist city belonging to the 12th Century. Bayon Temple is one of its famous places. The city was built by the greatest king of Angkor, Jayavarman VII. The specialty of the city is highlighted by the fact that it has been built in a perfect square, with sides facing to the north, south, east and west. The city is surrounded by an eight meter high and 12km long square wall which is known as Jayagiri. A moat which has been built approximately 100 metres wide provides additional protection. History proclaims that ferocious crocodiles were put into the moat as means of protection. At the middle of each wall is a gate that opens and a bridge which extends over the moat to reach the exterior of the Angkor Thom city.
Among the ruins in Angkor Thom, there are many stone temples which adventure lovers can explore. Five monumental gates are decorated with stone elephant trunks and the four faces of Avalokiteshwara, a motif known to be the king's favorite. These gates lead to the causeway over the moat. The gates are bordered with 54 Gods and 54 demons on the right and left sides. Out of the five gates, the one that is best restored is the one that faces south which leads to Angkor Wat. The East gate was featured in a scene of the movie Tomb Raider, where several characters visit Cambodia to recover the first piece of the Triangle of Light. The Elephant Terrace is another fascinating location in the city which was used for royal parties as a viewing platform. The area contains picturesque illustrations of elephants and garudas, which are mythical creatures that look like birds.
Bayon Temple, a Buddhist temple placed at the exact center of the city, showcases the elements of Hindu artistry that illustrates the intersection between earth and heaven. This temple is popular for the huge stone faces of the Bodhisatva Avalokiteshwara. It also houses a smiling image that is known to be the Jayavarman VII, I known as the “Mona Lisa of the Southeast Asia”. Towards the north of the Bayon is another temple known as the Stalwart Baphuon which was built in 1066, showcasing the unique architecture of the bygone era.
For visitors who wish to reach Angkor Thom by air, the Angkor International Airport is the best choice due to its close proximity. Accommodation can be easily found at a
luxury hotel in Siem Reap such as Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. This 5 star
Siem Reap hotel is exceptional in style and elegance, where discerning guests will be treated in the characteristic Raffles hospitality that is both heart warming and world class.
