The Most Exotic Capital City on Earth
UNESCO: Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom |
Angkor Thom is the capital city of the Ancient
Khmer Kingdom was the most prosperous in the 12th century. Angkor Wat is the
name of the Hindu temple, the largest religious site in the world located to
the south outside the walls of Angkor Thom.
Inside Angkor Thom wall are administration
centre, religious places, king's palace, royal court, and much more.
Bas Relief Wall, Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom |
Bayon
Temple in Mahayana
Buddhism, decorated with symbol that could recognized most of Angkor. Those are
huge faces on top of 54 towers and bas relief on the walls of the daily
living and great battle in the reign of King Jayavarman VII who commanded to
construct the largest number and most famous historic places in Angkor.
Completed Restoration: Bapuan Temple, Angkor Thom |
Reclining Buddha Wall, Bapuan Temple, Angkor Thom |
Bapuan
Religious place in form of
3 tiers stepped-pyramid;
masterpiece is Reclining Buddha stone lego on the back wall of temple. Now
restoration is completed and opened for visiting since 2011.
Phiman Akas Temple, Angkor Thom |
Phiman Akas
Religious site with a
frightening legend where is the place the king has to stay with 9-headed
naga's daughter every night for peace, and abundance of the kingdom.
Elephant Terrace, Angkor Thom |
Terrace of the Leper King, Angkor Thom |
Terrace of Elephant and
Terrace of Leper King
Terraces for the king's
ceremonies and multi functions usage, in front of terraces is a large ground
where Zhou Daguan, the one of Chinese ambassador's team who spent time at
Angkor for a year in 15 century recorded that events and festivals for people were
held here.
Phnom Bakheng Temple, Angkor |
West Baray View, Phnom Bakheng Temple, Angkor |
Phnom Bakheng
First Mountain Temple ever
built in Angkor, on the hill provides scenic Western Baray and Angkor Wat in
another location.
Bhaksi Chamkrong Temple, Angkor |
Bhaksi Chamkrong
Compact and simple Stepped Pyramid religious place built of brick. The inscription on the temple described
the king bestowed golden statues of Shiva and his consort, Uma to be enshrined
inside the building.
My Impression
- Mystical face of Face Towers and the idea to be in the eyes of him all the time
- The genius of King Jayavarman VII
- Reclining Buddha creation on the wall of Bapuon