Angkor Thom, Angkor, Cambodia

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Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye.

Angkor Thom
Cambodia

Angkor Thom is the great city built by the ancient Khmers. It is located slightly to the northwest of Angkor Wat, and covers an area that is even larger than Angkor Wat. However, unlike Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom consists of not one major temple, but rather several smaller ones, the best known being Bayon, Baphuon and Phimeanakas. Also located within Angkor Thom are the Terrace of the Elephant and the Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Suor Prat, and other ruins.

Most of the structures in Angkor Thom were constructed during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, who used up so much resources (in terms of good quality stones and building material) that subsequent kings no longer was capable of building at a similar scale as he did. In fact, the entire Angkor civilization went on a gradual decline after the building boom initiated by Jayavarman VII.

Angkor Thom as been around longer than Jayavarman VII, however. Some of the ruins within it, such as the Baphuon and Phimeanakas, were constructed earlier than the city itself. It overlaps the southeast corner of an earlier Angkor city, the first capital of the 9th century kingdom of Yasodharapura. When Jayavarman VII decided to make it his capital, he built a protection wall that measured 3 kilometers on each side of Angkor Thom. Outside the wall, he dug a moat. The moat is crossed at five places by causeways.

Each of these causeways are lined on each side by statues of demons and gods. The statues are meant to represent the Hindu scene of "Churning the Ocean of Milk", which we can also see in bas-relief in Angkor Wat. But here, in Angkor Thom, the scene is played out with the gods on one side, the demons on the other side of the causeway. As one crosses the causeway, one approaches the gigantic entrance into Angkor Thom, topped by a gopura of stone faces in the four cardinal directions. The effect is breathtaking.

The South Gate is the most popular among visitors, and for those coming from the direction of Angkor Wat, it is the first instance that they see Angkor Thom. The two other gateways in constant use today are the Victory Gate and the North Gate. The remaining two gates, the East Gate and West Gate are relatively obscure, and are generally not visited by the majority except for serious Angkor enthusiasts.

Associated Sites

Angkor Thom in Angkor Travel Tips

Angkor Thom in AsiaExplorers