[Angkor Thom | Siem Reap, Cambodia "An ancient city gazed upon by stone faces. The overwhelming scale of the royal city"]

[Angkor Thom | Siem Reap, Cambodia "An ancient city gazed upon by stone faces. The overwhelming scale of the royal capital."] — Angkor Thom is the remains of a massive royal capital built by King Jayavarman VII during the height of the Khmer Empire. "Thom" means "large," and as its name suggests, it is a magnificent walled city stretching over 3km from east to west and north to south. Particularly famous is the Bayon Temple, located in the center. Here, the gigantic "face of Kannon Bodhisattva" carved into 33 towers gently smiles. This "Smile of Bayon" overwhelms all visitors and provides a mysterious and unforgettable experience. ⸻ 📍 [Location & Access] - Approximately 10-15 minutes by tuk-tuk from Angkor Wat - Approximately 30 minutes from Siem Reap city center 🎟️ [Admission Information] - Entry possible with an Angkor Pass (shared with Angkor Wat) ⸻ 🌟 Recommended Spots in Angkor Thom ◆ [South Gate] → A photo spot featuring a row of statues of gods pulling giant nagas (snakes)📸 → The thrill of entering the ruins feels like the "entrance to an adventure" ◆ [Bayon Temple] → The symbol of the temple is the four-faced Buddha carved into 33 towers → The mysterious feeling of being "watched" from every angle ◆ [Terrace of the Elephants/Terrace of the Leper King] → A beautiful group of sculptures believed to have been used as a royal ceremonial venue → A world of irresistible detail for ruins lovers ⸻ 📸Photography Tips ・The "face" of Bayon Temple is prone to backlighting, so mornings are the best. ・Taking photos from the South Gate Bridge feels like a scene from a movie. ・The entire ruins are vast, so comfortable walking shoes are a must! ⸻ 📝Tips ・There's less shade than at Angkor Wat, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. ・The ruins are maze-like, so it's a good idea to plan a meeting time and place with your tuk-tuk driver. ⸻ #Cambodia #SiemReap #AngkorThom #BayonTemple #AbsolutelyFreeTrip