Cambodia 2026 Day 2 Siem Reap
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| Ta Prohm Temple |
The Smiling Faces (四面佛塔)
The temple is world-famous for its "face towers." There are dozens of towers (originally 54, with about 37 remaining) adorned with over 200 massive, serene stone faces.
Who do they represent? Scholars debate whether they are the face of Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), the Hindu god Brahma, or an idealized portrait of King Jayavarman VII himself—or perhaps a blend of all three, symbolizing the king's omnipresent watch over his empire.
The "Khmer Smile": The faces are known for their closed eyes and mysterious, tranquil smiles, which have become a symbol of Cambodian heritage.
Unique Architecture
Unlike the structured, classical design of Angkor Wat, Bayon feels like a "temple-mountain" built in a more cluttered, organic style.
Three Levels: The temple is built on three levels. The first two are square galleries decorated with intricate bas-reliefs, while the third is a circular upper terrace where the face towers are concentrated.
Bas-Reliefs (淺浮雕): The outer walls feature over 1.2 kilometers of detailed carvings. Unlike other temples that focus on mythology, Bayon’s reliefs provide a rare glimpse into daily life in the 12th century, depicting naval battles, marketplace scenes, and even a woman giving birth.
Later on, when I visited the National Meseum in Phnom Penh, I saw more detailed description like these below.
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| Chinese |
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| Khmer and Chinese Soldiers fighting together |
Key Highlights
The "Golden Tower": In the 13th century, Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan （周達觀）described Baphuon as a "Tower of Bronze"—a truly impressive sight that was even taller than the Bayon at the time.
The Elevated Causeway: The entrance features a unique 200-meter-long sandstone causeway supported by thousands of short pillars. It looks like a long bridge leading to the main temple and is a favorite spot for photography.
The Reclining Buddha: On the western (back) side of the temple, there is a massive 70-meter-long reclining Buddha built into the retaining wall. It was added in the 15th century, long after the original construction, using stones from the upper parts of the temple.
The Terrace of the Elephants (斗象台) is a massive, 350-meter-long stone platform located northeast of the Baphuon Temple. It served as the giant viewing stand for King Jayavarman VII and his court during public ceremonies and military parades.
1. The Purpose: A Royal Reviewing Stand
In the 12th century, this wasn't just a wall; it was the foundation for grand wooden pavilions (which have long since rotted away).
The King's Seat: From here, the King would watch his victorious armies return from battle, observe games, or listen to the complaints of his citizens.
The Royal Square: The terrace faces a vast open field known as the Royal Square, where festivals, acrobatic performances, and military drills took place.
2. The Famous Carvings
The terrace gets its name from the life-sized bas-reliefs of elephants and their mahouts (handlers) hunting in the jungle.
The Three-Headed Elephant: Look for the staircases flanked by Airavata, the mythical three-headed elephant of the god Indra, whose trunks are depicted plucking lotus flowers.
Mythical Protectors: Beneath the platform, you will see rows of Garudas (mythical bird-men) and Lions with their arms raised, appearing to hold up the entire structure.
The Five-Headed Horse: On the northern end, there is a famous carving of a five-headed horse (Balaha), a manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Terrace of the Leper King 中文叫癩王台。「癩王」名稱源於平台上方原有一尊赤裸且沒有性徵的石像（原件現存於金邊國家博物館，現場為複製品）。關於為何稱其為「癩王」，主要有兩種說法：考古學家認為，這尊石像實際上是印度教中的死神閻摩 (Yama)。石像之所以看起來像患了痲瘋病，是因為長期暴露在室外，石材表面長滿了地衣與苔蘚，導致斑駁脫落，後人誤以為是皮膚病。神話傳說有一位高棉國王因為與蛇神（Naga）戰鬥，被蛇毒噴到而染上了痲瘋病（Leper），這尊石像就是紀念這位生病的國王。
Quick Summary of the "Angkor Thom Center" Trio:
Bayon: The temple with the faces.
Baphuon: The temple with the long causeway and giant reclining Buddha.
Terrace of the Elephants: The grand stage for royal parades.
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