Angkor Thom Bayon Temple at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon Temple sits in the middle of Angkor Thom, the new capital that King Jayavarman built circa 1200 to signify a shift from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. Often known as the “face temple” it was originally meant to be the king’s personal mausoleum. There are 54 towers and 216 faces and tons of bas-reliefs. It can be fun to find your “face twin” and take silly photos as most tour guides will insist on.
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Travel
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Coordinates: 13.4125° N, 103.8670° E
Cost & Admission
Single Day Pass - $37
Three Day Pass - $62
Seven Day Pass - $72
*Tickets can only be purchased at the official ticket center, and all other tickets are not valid. Your ticket will have your picture taken at the ticket office window.
Food
Nearby restaurants and snack vendors near sites.
Activities
Exploring, walking, history.
Tips
Wear comfortable sneakers, as there is a lot of walking and some uneven surfaces. You can opt for a guided tour or unguided tour. We were very happy with our guided tour as we met fellow travelers and had secured transportation to and from our hotel in Siem Reap to the temples. Note that you can walk in Siem Reap, but tuk tuks are an option for those of you hesitant to brave busy traffic intersections. Sunrise and sunset tours are very popular.