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Traveling to Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City is quite convenient and easy. You can take a sleeper bus through the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh province) to Phnom Penh. From there, you can travel to Siem Reap, the capital of the Angkor complex, with thousands of temples of all sizes that have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Each temple in the Angkor complex, despite its many similarities, possesses unique values and distinct features. While Angkor Wat is renowned for its grandeur and massive size, and Ta Prohm for its mystical, bizarre root systems, the beauty of Bayon is etched onto its stone walls—a system of nearly thousand-year-old masterpieces of stone sculpture.
Bayon boasts incredibly majestic scenery.
Bayon is massive, like a mountain.
Bayon is one of the most beautiful and popular temples in the Angkor complex. Located about 5km from Angkor Wat, Bayon is situated in the heart of the Angkor Thom citadel. Each temple in the Angkor complex, despite many similarities, possesses unique values and distinctive features. While Angkor Wat is renowned for its grandeur and massive size, and Ta Prohm for its mysterious, bizarre root system, the beauty of Bayon is carved into its stone walls, a system of nearly thousand-year-old masterpieces of stone sculpture.
The Bayon Temple was built by King Jayavarman VII around the 12th or early 13th century. The temple is notable for its 54 towers of varying sizes, each sculpted with four faces of the god Brahma, facing in four different directions. In total, the Bayon Temple has 216 faces, which are also the symbol of Bayon.
The sculptures depict Khmer soldiers wearing necklaces made of cloth, while Champa soldiers wear conical hats.
Khmer soldiers went into battle on foot, while their generals rode war elephants.
A scene of Champa soldiers marching. High-ranking generals ride elephants, while some others ride horses.
Researchers suggest that from the very beginning, the Angkorians intended to build Bayon on a massive scale, making it resemble Mount Kulen, a sacred mountain in Hindu belief.
On the walls of Bayon, the ancient Angkorians, with their extraordinary sculpting skills, created intricate and vivid images, leaving behind captivating stories that have retained their appeal over time.
The content of these reliefs depicts a naval battle between the Khmer and the Cham. That battle took place in 1181, and the Khmer achieved a resounding victory under the command of King Jayavarman VII.
In addition, the reliefs vividly depict the customs and lifestyle of the ancient Khmer people.
In addition, the reliefs vividly depict the customs and lifestyle of the ancient Khmer people.
The Bayon Temple is very important because it allows us to better understand the beliefs, values, and power of the Khmer Empire. The temple was built in the exact center of Angkor Thom, meaning "Great City," signifying its connection to heaven and earth. Both the architecture and the carvings inside provide future generations with insight into the history of the Bayon Temple. Cambodian people also frequently visit the temple during major festivals or important events to pray for the gods to grant their wishes.
Bayon symbolizes both the power of the Khmer Empire and the king himself. The temple exudes both authority and humanity, two qualities essential to any successful leader. As you walk through and around the temple, you begin to see more and more gigantic faces, both staring down at you from the top of the tower and at eye level.
Bayon is not only a tourist destination but also an important pilgrimage site for the locals.
Western tourists flock to the ruins of the glorious Angkor empire.
About the author: Thinh, a writer specializing in cultural geography, currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. Thinh is a storyteller, sharing his experiences through articles, photo series, and documentaries. His stories are personal reflections and experiences from his travels across the country.
