The Ultimate Guide to Angkor Thom Temple

The smart guide to Angkor Thom temple is to discover the amazing ancient temples inside this area. It is very peaceful, and smiling faces the gates of Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom Temple Facts

King: Jayavarman VII

Date: Late 12th

Main temples: Bayon, Baphoun, Royal Palace, Elephant Terrace, and Leper King

Required: properly wearing a dress

Required: Temple Pass

Location

Angkor Thom is situated 700 meters north of Angkor Wat. It was the last ancient capital city of the Khmer Empire. It was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII after the city was destroyed by Cham invaders from the Champa kingdom, who ruled Angkor for four years from 1177 to 1181. This great city was rebuilt in the very late 12th century, after the year 1181 A.D., after King Jayavarman VII had succeeded in driving foreign invaders out of this big city region, and then he started the series of his construction projects.

How to access the city of Angkor Thom

This great Angkor city has five gates through which you can enter: the south gate, east gate, north gate, and west gate. This massive city has five entrances, but most people enter through the north and east gates along the path of god and demon.

The best time for visiting Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia. It is a beautiful ancient city, known for its impressive architecture and rich history. The best time to visit Angkor Thom is during the dry season, which runs from November to May. During these months, the weather is nice and it doesn’t rain much, so it’s a great time to visit this amazing place. Also, the plants will be lush and colorful, and there will be lots of chances to take beautiful pictures of the amazing temples and monuments. During this time, the crowds are also much less than during peak season, so you can really make the most out of your visit without feeling overwhelmed by hordes of tourists. If you want to experience all that Angkor Thom has to offer in its full glory, plan your trip for sometime between November and May!

Tours and activities

Tourists usually begin their visit from the south gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temple, Angkor Wat, Taprohm, and Phnom Bakheng temple at sunset.

This tour usually costs $15 with a tuk-tuk, and the tour guide charges $30 to finish the tour. Temple tickets should be bought in person, and you can also buy temple passes in person. It costs $37 for one day and then gives you more for free the next. You can also enjoy Khmer local food for lunch at a local restaurant near the temple.

What things should you prepare for Angkor complex tours?

When preparing for an Angkor complex tour, it is important to be well prepared. To begin, please keep your temple pass on you at all times. You should also wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking around the complex for a few hours. Finally, don’t forget to bring a camera or smartphone so you can take photos of the beautiful temples and their intricate decorations. By following these simple tips, you can make sure that your time at the Angkor complex is enjoyable and memorable.

Do you need a tour guide for Angkor tours?

If you are planning to visit the Angkor complex, you may be wondering if you need a tour guide. The answer is yes! A tour guide can help make your experience at this ancient temple much more meaningful and enjoyable. They will provide expert knowledge of Khmer architecture as well as information about the culture and customs of the people who once lived there. They will also be able to show you around and explain any unique features of the temple that you may otherwise miss out on. Having a tour guide for Angkor Wat Temple also allows you to ask questions and get a better understanding of what it would have been like to live in that time period. With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why having a tour guide is essential when visiting the Angkor Wat Temple.

A Brief History

King Jayavarman 7, also known as Jayvarhun, was the only son of King Dharanidravarman and the former queen Thdhiamoni. Only King Jayavarman VII had built so many temples. In the year 1181, he was 56 years old and living as the king in the former city of Yasodharapura, the city of his predecessor. His first wife was known as Jay Rajdhevi, who passed away. Then this king remarried his former elder sister-in-law, whose name was Indradevi, and he died in 1218 in a very mysterious manner. After his death, a posthumous name was given to him: MohborumSaothon.

Angkor Thom was one of the largest capital cities, and it was surrounded by a 3 km2 man-made moat on each side. This great city had been adorned with five gates, one in each of the three directions, except for two that were decorated to the east, where one more extra gate was added and was named the Victory Gate. On the top of each gate are the four faces, and those faces represent the face of Budhisatrava Avalokesvara, symbolizing the four divine states of mind: charity, compassion, sympathy, and equality. If we talk about Angkor Thom, we will think of Bayon temple, which is in the city’s center and known as the state temple.

Final Thoughts

The smart guide to Angkor Thom is to discover the amazing ancient temples. You will be welcomed by the statues of gods and demons in front of the gates. The gods are on the left, and the demon is on the right, with some head replicas. Inside the Angkor Tom complex, the most popular temples tourists usually visit are Bayon, the Royal Palace, Pimean Akas, the Terrace of Elephants, the Leper King, and Baphoun. If you want to extend your two-day Angkor Wat tour, I would highly recommend Angkor for three days.