Angkor Thom

Cambodia · ancient cities · temples · archaeology

A Giant City. Angkor Thom covered 9 square kilometers (about 3,500 football fields) and was built in the late 1100s by King Jayavarman VII as the capital of the Khmer Empire. It was surrounded by walls and held many amazing stone temples.

Mysterious Smiling Faces. At the center of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon temple, which has dozens of giant stone faces carved into its towers. These faces are thought to be smiling and are one of the most recognizable features of the entire city.

Long Lasting Glory. Angkor Thom was the last capital city of the Khmer Empire and lasted longer than any other Khmer capital. It shows how powerful and skilled the Khmer people were at building and organizing cities.

Layered History. The city contains monuments from many different time periods, not just from King Jayavarman VII. Builders added temples and structures over hundreds of years, making Angkor Thom a mix of different styles and eras.

Famous Tourist Spot. Today, Angkor Thom is one of Southeast Asia's biggest tourist attractions, with visitors coming from all around the world to see the ancient temples and learn about Khmer history.