Archaeological SiteHistoric SiteReligious Site
Bayon Temple
ព័យ៉ុន
4.8Included in Angkor Pass1–2 hours
The enigmatic state temple of Angkor Thom, famous for its 216 serene stone faces carved on 54 towers, built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century.
Bayon is the state temple of Angkor Thom and one of the most distinctive and recognizable monuments of Angkor. Built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries by King Jayavarman VII, the temple is renowned for its 54 towers adorned with 216 serene, smiling stone faces gazing in all four directions. It is believed the faces represent either the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or the king himself, blending divine and royal imagery.
Gallery
Photos
What to know before you go
- Bayon sits at the exact center of Angkor Thom and represents the symbolic center of the universe in Khmer cosmology. Unlike Angkor Wat's mountain-temple concept, Bayon is a more complex and introverted structure, with narrow corridors, stairways, and towers forming a labyrinthine whole.
- The temple's galleries feature over 11,000 figures carved in bas-relief depicting both mythological scenes and extraordinary slices of 12th-century Khmer daily life: markets, cockfights, fishing, cooking, and a massive naval battle on the Tonle Sap Lake.
- The famous face towers are Bayon's signature. Walking among them in the early morning mist or golden hour light is one of the most otherworldly experiences in Southeast Asian travel.
Good to know
Culture, safety & access
Culture & etiquette
Crowd: Busy mid-morning; best visited early morning or late afternoon for dramatic light.Best season: November to February.
An active Buddhist site; monks and worshippers are present. Be respectful.
Safety & health
Watch your step on the uneven stone surfaces throughout the temple.
Weather
Shaded corridors provide some relief from heat, but the temple is open-air.
Accessibility
Steep narrow stairs and uneven stone surfaces; challenging for those with limited mobility.
Visitor Guidelines
Dress code required: cover shoulders and knees. Guided tours are recommended.
Photography
Photography permitted throughout; sunrise and morning light are ideal for face tower photos.