Booking Partner Best Deal

Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • We stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in the land. The Bayon is located in the center of the city of Angkor Thom 1500 meters (4921 feet) from the south gate. Enter tower of the Bayon is from the east. Prasat Bayon was built in late 12th century to early 13th century, by the King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to ...

OVERVIEW

The Bayon vies with Angkor Wat the favorite monument of visitors. the two evoke similar aesthetic responses yet are different in purpose, design, architecture and decoration. The dense jungle surround the temple camouflaged its position in relation to other structures at Angkor so it was not known for some time that the Bayon stands in the exact centre of the city of Angkor Thom.

Even after this was known, the Bayon was erroneously connected with the city of Yasovarman I and thus dated to the ninth century. A pediment found in 1925 depicting an Avalokitesvara identified the Bayon as a Buddhist temple.

Video Travel Inspiration

History of Bayon Temple

This discovery moved the date of the monument ahead some 300 years to the late twelfth century. Even though the date is firmly implanted and supported by archaeological evidence, the Bayon remains one of the most enigmatic temples of the Angkor group. Its symbolism, original form and subsequent changes and constructions have not yet been untangled.

The Bayon was built nearly 100 years after Angkor Wat. The basic structure and earliest part of the temple ate not known. Since it was located at the centre of a royal city it seems possible that the Bayon would have originally been a temple-mountain conforming to the symbolism of a microcosm of Mount Meru. The middle part of the temple was extended during the second phase of building. The Bayon of today belong to the third and last phase of the art style.

Smilling Face at BayonThe architectural scale and composition of the Bayon exude grandness in every aspects. Its elements juxtapose each other to create balance and harmony.

Over 2000 large faces carved on the 54 tower give this temple its majestic character. The faces with slightly curving lips, eyes placed in shadow by the lowered lids utter not a word and yet force you to guess much, wrote P Jennerat de Beerski in the 1920s. It is generally accepted that four faces on each of the tower are images of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and that they signify the omnipresence of the king. The characteristics of this faces - a broad forehead, downcast eyes, wild nostrils, thick lips that curl upwards slightly at the ends-combine to reflect the famous 'Smile of Angkor'.

Layout of Bayon Temple

A peculiarity of the Bayon is the absence of an enclosing wall. It is, though, protected by the wall surrounding the city of Angkor Thom. The basic plan of the Bayon is a simple one comprising three levels (1-3). The first and second levels are square galleries featuring bas-reliefs. A circular Central Sanctuary dominates the third level. Despite this seemingly simple plan, the arrangement of the Bayon is complex, with a maze of galleries, passages and steps connected in a way that make the levels practically indistinguishable and creates dim lighting, narrow walkways, and low ceilings.

Enter the Bayon from the east at the steps leading to a terrace. The interior of the Bayon, the one a visitor first encounters, is a square gallery on the ground or first level. This gallery is interspersed with eight entry towers - one in each corner and one in the middle of each side. All of the eight structures are in the shape of a cross. The gallery was probably originally covered with a root, perhaps of wood.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

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

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Angkor Cycling Tour

from Siem Reap

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

Angkor Cycling Tour

It’s the perfect way for getting around the temples. Taking your bike into the historical park isn’t a problem and you don’t have to pay anything for it. Those faces just rise out of every ...

Beng Mealea & Koh Ker Tour

from Siem Reap

1 Day

Beng Mealea & Koh Ker Tour

Beng Mealea surpasses even the famous Ta Prohm for atmosphere. Romantically draped in jungle vegetation, Beng Melea offers visitors a chance to discover Angkor all over again. The whole site is ...

Rosana Broadway Cabaret Show

from Siem Reap

2 Hours

Rosana Broadway Cabaret Show

Welcome to Rosana Broadway Cambodia Traditional Dance and Cabaret Show. Enjoy our famous Cambodian Traditional Dance and International Cabaret Show which provides a unique mix of entertainment on ...

Cambodia Amazing Adventure

from Siem Reap

10 DAYS 9 NIGHTS

Cambodia Amazing Adventure

Prepare for a unique adventure loaded with ancient sights and breathtaking beauty as you travel from the hustle of Bangkok to the bustle of Phnom Penh City. Discover the laidback charm and easy ...

Cambodia Adventure Tour

from Siem Reap

8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Cambodia Adventure Tour

Through Cross Provinces Adventure Tour you will enjoy the real Cambodia life styles; see how easy life of Cambodian between modern life style in capital city and the classic living style of people in ...

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh Tour

from Siem Reap

6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh Tour

Amount of the temples are plan in your itinerary Preah Khan Temple is one of the attraction places in Siem Reap, it is a large monastic complex built in 1191 A.D as the order of King Jayavarman VII ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

Secondfold Residence

Siem Reap

Apsara Residence Hotel

Siem Reap

Sabara Angkor Resort & Spa

Siem Reap

Smiling Hotel

Siem Reap

House Jane

Siem Reap

Advaya Residence

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