Booking Partner Best Deal

Baphuon Temple

Baphuon Temple

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God ...

OVERVIEW

Angkor Thom: Large temple-mountain in Angkor Thom. Recently reopened after an extensive and troubled restoration. The project began in the early 1970s with archaeologists dismantling much it, but abandoned in 1975 due the war. The records were lost during the war years, leaving an enormous jigsaw puzzle of rock. The restoration restarted in the 1990s and the temple finally reopened in 2011. Note the unique animal carvings at the walkway entrance. Similar carvings are visible on West Mebon. Also note the impressively large reclining Buddha on the west side, which was added to the temple in the 16th century.

Video Travel Inspiration

The Baphuon (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបាពួន) is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain:103 built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II : 103 dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is the archetype of the Baphuon style. The temple adjoins the southern enclosure of the royal palace and measures 120 metres east-west by 100 metres north-south at its base and stands 34 meters tall without its tower, which would have made it roughly 50 meters tall. Its appearance apparently impressed Temür Khan's late 13th century envoy Chou Ta-kuan during his visit from 1296 to 1297, who said it was 'the Tower of Bronze...a truly astonishing spectacle, with more than ten chambers at its base.' In the late 15th century, the Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple. A 9 meter tall by 70 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha was built on the west side's second level, which probably required the demolition of the 8 meter tower above, thus explaining its current absence. The temple was built on land filled with sand, and due to its immense size the site was unstable throughout its history. Large portions had probably already collapsed by the time the Buddha was added.

Surrounded by a wall 125 by 425 m the central tower was probably gilded wood, which has not survived.

By the 20th century, much of the temple had largely collapsed, and restoration efforts have since proven problematic: a first effort begun in 1960 was interrupted by the coming to power of the Khmer Rouge, and records of the positions of the stones were lost. A second attempt started in 1995 by a team of French-led archeologists as of 2005 was still ongoing, restricting visitor access. As of November 2010, partial visitor access was once again allowed, though not to the central structure.

In April 2011, after 51 years, the archaeologists finished the restoration of the temple. King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France were among those who first toured the renovated temple during the inauguration ceremony on July 3, 2011.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Cambodian Cultural Village

from Siem Reap

Half-Day

Cambodian Cultural Village

Cambodian Cultural Village is a theme park and museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is located on the road to and from the airport, 6 km from the town. The theme park was constructed in 2001 and opened ...

The Best of Cambodia Tours

from Siem Reap

8 Days

The Best of Cambodia Tours

If you want, today take an early morning trip to Angkor Wat for its stunning sunrise and a close communication with the monks & nuns at nearby pagoda; breakfast at hotel or takeout breakfast all ...

Explore Banteay Srei Day Trip Tour

from Siem Reap

Full Day

Explore Banteay Srei Day Trip Tour

Start off your day easy with the small and charming Pre Rup Temple. Next up, you’ll visit the highly-intricate pink coloured Banteay Srei Temple – which translates beautifully to “The ...

Off-Road Bike Angkor Wat Sunrise

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Off-Road Bike Angkor Wat Sunrise

Siem Reap Dirt Bikes offers 'off the beaten track' motorbike adventure tours in the most remote areas of Cambodia, taking you to places others don't go! Siem Reap Dirt Bikes organized and ran our ...

Flight of Gibbon at Angkor Wat

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Flight of Gibbon at Angkor Wat

Flight of the Gibbon is the only Zipline in Cambodia and to top it off we have the absolutely amazing privilege of being located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of The Angkor Archaeological ...

Angkor Wat Tour with Lunch, Temple Pass & evening Apsara Dance Show

from Siem Reap

1 Day

Angkor Wat Tour with Lunch, Temple Pass & evening Apsara Dance Show

Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants, Ta Prohm, Phnom Bakheng. This tour also includes your 1-day temple pass, lunch at a local restaurant and an evening Apsara Dance ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

J7 Hotel

Siem Reap

Hotel Somadevi Angkor Boutique and Resort

Siem Reap

Sojourn Boutique Villas

Siem Reap

Central Corner d'Angkor

Siem Reap

Belmond La Résidence d'Angkor

Siem Reap

Victoria Angkor Suites

Siem Reap

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter