Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire, a walled city of 9 sq km containing the Bayon temple with its 54 towers each carved with four serenely smiling stone faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The royal city, built by Jayavarman VII around 1200 AD, also contains the Baphuon pyramid temple, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Its South Gate entrance — a causeway flanked by gods and demons pulling a giant naga serpent — is one of Angkor's most spectacular approaches.

• Categoryattraction