Temples Visit 1 | Temples Visit 2 | Temples Visit 3 | Temples Visit 4 | Temples Visit 5 | Temples Visit 6 | Temples Visit 7
Day 1 Noon - Bayon at Angkor Thom
We proceeded to Angkor Thom (吴哥通王城), which is also claimed to be "big Angkor" (大吴哥). It's the walled royal city built at the end of the 12th century. The city was built as a quadrangle and bordered by a 100m-wide moat and an 8m high wall.
There are 5 entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour.
On the way, we passed by Baksei Cham Krong and we went down for a truly quick visit.
And we then arrived at Bayon (巴戎寺). The driver told us where would he be, so we could meet with him after our visit.
People say, if you see only 2 temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones.
The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.
Who the faces represent is a matter of debate.
Quick info about this temple -
Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.
King/Patron: Jayavarman VII
Religion: Buddhist
Style: Bayon
The Bayon underwent a series of changes before evolving into its present form. What transfixes visitors are the vast stone heads which gaze from all directions, yet the Bayon also boasts bas-reliefs to rival those of Angkor Wat.
Even more interesting are extensive carvings of unique and revealing scenes of everyday life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth.
If you ask me, what I like about Bayon, my answer is simple - just coz of the smiley faces.
Smile is the best language in the world.
Day 1 - Lunch
After visiting Bayon, we looked for the driver at the specified place, then had lunch there, at his friend's stall.
We paid a total of USD5 for the lunch.
Day 1 Afternoon - Baphuon at Angkor Thom
After lunch, we had a muck around at Baphuon (巴方寺), which is just within walking distance.
Baphuon is a huge temple-mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom. Largely collapsed and in ruined condition, the main temple area is undergoing extensive restoration.
Some fabulous animal carvings adorn the walkway entrance and there is a huge, reclining Buddha on the west side that was added at a later date.
Quick info about this temple -
Constructed: Mid 11th century C.E.
King/Patron: Udayadityavarman II
Religion: Hindu
Style: Baphuon
I was so lack of energy after the visit. After slight discussion, we decided to go back earlier. It could be due to having insufficient sleep (woke up at 0430 that morning).
On our way back, I met with my good friend.
You can't eat them. They are protected animals in Cambodia!!
Day 1 Noon - Bayon at Angkor Thom
We proceeded to Angkor Thom (吴哥通王城), which is also claimed to be "big Angkor" (大吴哥). It's the walled royal city built at the end of the 12th century. The city was built as a quadrangle and bordered by a 100m-wide moat and an 8m high wall.
There are 5 entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour.
On the way, we passed by Baksei Cham Krong and we went down for a truly quick visit.
Reaching Angkor Thom.
The Tuk Tuk driver was smart enough to stop and let us take some photos.
Nice weather still.
Do you see someone's smiling?
And we then arrived at Bayon (巴戎寺). The driver told us where would he be, so we could meet with him after our visit.
People say, if you see only 2 temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones.
The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.
Who the faces represent is a matter of debate.
Quick info about this temple -
Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.
King/Patron: Jayavarman VII
Religion: Buddhist
Style: Bayon
The Bayon underwent a series of changes before evolving into its present form. What transfixes visitors are the vast stone heads which gaze from all directions, yet the Bayon also boasts bas-reliefs to rival those of Angkor Wat.
Even more interesting are extensive carvings of unique and revealing scenes of everyday life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth.
If you ask me, what I like about Bayon, my answer is simple - just coz of the smiley faces.
Smile is the best language in the world.
Day 1 - Lunch
After visiting Bayon, we looked for the driver at the specified place, then had lunch there, at his friend's stall.
Met these 3 girls again. We were on the same bus from Ho Chi Minh city to Siem Reap the day before.
Young coconut. Wyng's was too young and had no flesh at all :)
Our simple fried rice.
We paid a total of USD5 for the lunch.
Day 1 Afternoon - Baphuon at Angkor Thom
After lunch, we had a muck around at Baphuon (巴方寺), which is just within walking distance.
Baphuon is a huge temple-mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom. Largely collapsed and in ruined condition, the main temple area is undergoing extensive restoration.
Some fabulous animal carvings adorn the walkway entrance and there is a huge, reclining Buddha on the west side that was added at a later date.
Quick info about this temple -
Constructed: Mid 11th century C.E.
King/Patron: Udayadityavarman II
Religion: Hindu
Style: Baphuon
I was so lack of energy after the visit. After slight discussion, we decided to go back earlier. It could be due to having insufficient sleep (woke up at 0430 that morning).
On our way back, I met with my good friend.
You can't eat them. They are protected animals in Cambodia!!
6 comments:
wow nicely reported!
i miss cambodia too... sad as i didnt have time to slowly explore the ancient kingdom of khmer >.< would like to go there again =p well, i didnt really enjoy the food there... or maybe i was used to eat yummilicious dishes in saigon?? lol
The smiling faces in Bayon is lovely, as well as the photo. Do you find any treasure from there?
fufu, agree that i enjoyed vietnamese more too... got more temples to write, but scared that people get bored :)
surface, i also like the smiling faces. smile is the best and the most friendly language in the world. treasure?? tangible or intangible ones? :P
Got one of the face has the most beautiful smile ;) I like Bayon Thom very much because of the unique faces expression :p
can i know...from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap...the journey is how long by bus?will it pass through Phnom Penh?
hi Behde, yes you will pass by Phnom Penh before reaching Siem Reap.
HCMC -> PP (about 6 hours)
PP -> SR (about 5 hours)
the whole trip will take you about half a day..
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