Angkor Thom is a former capital enclosed by walls and a moat; the Bayon is the complex state temple at its center. Seeing them as the same thing hides the scale of the city around the famous faces. This guide covers the gates, the Bayon, the terraces and temples nearby, and how to build a half-day that is not rushed.
Compare passes, pick a route and find every temple guide in our Angkor travel guide.
Opening hours, walkways and restricted areas are set by the APSARA National Authority and can change with conservation work or ceremonies. The details below were checked in September 2026; follow signs and staff directions on the day.
Conditions now
Angkor Thom and Bayon
28°C
Overcast · feels like 35°C
- Humidity 83%
- Wind 1 km/h
- Air: Good (AQI 34)
- TodayThunderstorms31° / 25°84% rain
- FriThunderstorms31° / 25°78% rain
- SatThunderstorms32° / 24°59% rain
- SunDrizzle32° / 23°40% rain
- MonDrizzle30° / 24°63% rain
Updated hourly. Forecast and air quality by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Conditions can change quickly in the wet season.
A city, not a single temple
Angkor Thom, “great city”, was laid out by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries after a period of war with the Chams. Its walls form a square roughly 3 km on each side, enclosing about 9 square kilometers, surrounded by a moat. Five monumental gates lead in: one on each side and a second on the east, the Victory Gate, aligned with the royal palace precinct.
Most of the city was built of wood and has disappeared. What survives in stone are the temples, terraces, gates and walls, and the network of roads and ponds that shows how large the capital once was.
Enter the city
Most visitors arrive through the South Gate, about 2 km north of Angkor Wat. Its causeway is lined on each side by a row of stone figures holding a giant naga serpent: gods on one side and demons on the other, echoing the Churning of the Ocean of Milk carved at Angkor Wat. Many heads are replacements; originals are in museums. Above the gate, a tower carries faces looking in four directions.
Gates are narrow and shared with traffic. If you want photographs, ask your driver to stop before the causeway and walk across, and take care with passing vehicles.
The Bayon
The Bayon stands at the exact center of the city. It is associated with Jayavarman VII’s Mahayana Buddhist royal program; later reigns altered it as religious practice changed. Its surviving towers carry more than 200 large carved faces, calm and slightly smiling, which dominate popular imagery.
The faces are often described as the king, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, or both. Scholars continue to debate their meaning, so enjoy their visual power while leaving room for interpretation.
Give time to the outer gallery bas-reliefs too. Alongside battle scenes, including naval fighting on the Tonle Sap, they show markets, cooking, fishing, games and household life: some of the best evidence for everyday Khmer life in this period.
Tickets
Entry is included in the Angkor Pass; there is no separate ticket. The pass is checked at the entrance, so keep it with you (and a passport for any child under 12, who enters free).
| Pass | Price (foreign visitors) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | US$37 | One day |
| 3 days | US$62 | Any three days within 7 days |
| 7 days | US$72 | Any seven days within 30 days |
Prices and validity last checked: 15 October 2026. Angkor Pass prices can change. Confirm the current price on the official Angkor Enterprise site before you buy. The Angkor Wat guide explains where to buy and the sunset rule.
Beyond the Bayon
Baphuon
An 11th-century temple-mountain just north-west of the Bayon, older than the city walls. French teams dismantled it for restoration before the civil war; the work was finally completed in 2011. A huge reclining Buddha was later built into its western side.
Royal Palace and Phimeanakas
Only the walls, ponds and the small pyramid of Phimeanakas remain of the palace precinct, but they show where daily royal life took place. Steps can be steep; access may be restricted.
Terrace of the Elephants
A long platform facing the royal square, used for ceremonies and viewing, with life-size elephants and garudas carved along its wall.
Terrace of the Leper King
Named after a statue found on top, whose identity is debated. Its walls, including an inner wall revealed by restoration, are covered in tiers of carved figures.
Build a half-day
1 hour South Gate, then the Bayon: upper terrace and faces first, then the outer bas-reliefs.
45 minutes Walk north to the Baphuon and the royal palace precinct.
45 minutes The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, where your driver can meet you.
Optional Leave by the Victory Gate toward Ta Keo and Ta Prohm.
Heat and scale make every addition slower than it looks on a map. Agree with your driver where to collect you, and plan a proper midday break. The first-time guide to Angkor suggests one-, two- and three-day routes.
When to go
Early
At opening
The Bayon is calmest at opening, before groups arrive from Angkor Wat sunrise. Low light brings out the depth of the faces.
Midday
Busiest and hottest
The upper terrace of the Bayon has little shade. Use this time for lunch or a rest.
Afternoon
Quieter terraces
Groups thin out in the late afternoon. The gates open earlier and close later than the Bayon itself.
Practical details
What to wearCover your shoulders and knees, and wear shoes with grip for steep, uneven steps.
WalkingThe Bayon, Baphuon and terraces are close together and easy to walk between. Reaching the other gates needs transport.
RespectSmall shrines inside the Bayon are active places of worship. Ask before photographing people, and do not climb on carvings.
AccessibilityThe terraces and the lower Bayon are reachable with help; upper levels and the Baphuon involve steep stairs.
The “smiling faces” are often described with absolute identifications. Scholars have debated their meaning. Enjoy the visual power while leaving room for interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Angkor Thom the same as the Bayon?
No. Angkor Thom is the walled city; the Bayon is the temple at its center. The city also contains the Baphuon, the royal palace precinct and the terraces.
How many faces are on the Bayon?
More than 200 on the surviving towers. The exact figure depends on how towers and damaged faces are counted.
How long do you need?
At least two hours for the Bayon and the terraces; half a day to add the Baphuon, the palace precinct and a gate on foot.
Is Angkor Thom included in the Angkor Pass?
Yes. Everything inside the walls is covered by the standard pass.
Official references: Angkor Enterprise (official Angkor Pass sales), APSARA National Authority visitor information and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Angkor. Hours and access were checked in September 2026 and should be confirmed again shortly before travel.