Angkor Thom. Victory Gate. Approaching from the east.
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Angkor is an enormous place, so the locals get around on bikes or motor bikes.
This woman is selling souvenirs or food.
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Angkor Thom. The Victory Gate.
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Angkor Thom. The Bayon, the central temple in Angkor Thom.
Jayavarman VII built the temple in the late 12th or early 13th century. It was the last complex temple built by a Khmer king.
Angkor Thom. The faces on the Bayon Towers (the central feature in Angkor Thom).
There are 47 structures in the Bayon with 4 faces oriented in the cardinal directions. Our guide said that "The faces represent bodhisattvas using Jayavarman VII’s features." Jayavarman VII, according to the guide book, was the last king who added large temple complexes.
Angkor Thom. The faces on the Bayon Towers.
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The massive walls are covered with scenes of life of the Khmer. On the south wall is a scene showing men being served food made in a field kitchen.
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Here men play a game related to chess.
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Bottom left: men place bets on a cock fight. Upper left: a crocodile catches a fish.
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Khmer warships rowing into battle against the Cham, The Bayon
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Angkor Thom. The Bayon.
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Angkor Thom. At the south gate.
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Angkor Thom. The south gate.
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Angkor Thom. In the royal palace area. The temple Phimeanakas.
This temple is thought to have built in the reign of Suryavarrman I in the first part of the 11th century. It is constructed of laterite, unlike other structures in Angkor that are of sandstone. The temple faces east, as do all of the other structures within Angkor Thom.
Angkor Thom. The stairs of the temple Phimeanakas. Identical stairs are located at the cardinal points and are guarded by lions.
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Angkor Thom. The Royal Pond next to the temple Phimeanakas. Jayavarman VII reportedly watched nautical games performed in the pond.
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Angkor Thom. The Elephant Terrace.
The Elephant Terrace is more than 300 meters long and shields the Royal Palace. It is thought the king could watch parades or games from the Terrace. The elephants pictured on the wall are engaged in hunting.
Angkor Thom. The central section of the Elephant Terrace has carved statues of garudas.
A garuda is a large bird-like creature that appears in both Buddhist and Hindu mythology.
More garudas!
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Angkor Thom. At the center of the Elephant Terrace is a three-headed elephant.
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