| Page Views: 1,599 Last Visit to Angkor Thum: April, 2005 | Under Construction - The Last Angkor City by bpacker - last update: Oct 21, 2005 |
The Last Great City of Angkor | Greeted by Gods at the Gates of Angkor Thom |
Other than the famous Angkor Wat, the fortified city of Angkor Thom also beckoned to me. I had to see this place, the last capital of the Khmer Kingdom. The place where the LAST royal priests, officials, military and administrators of the kingdom lived before they were chased out by the friendly Thai army of Ayuthaya in 1431. How sad they must have been to leave such a magnificent city! Angkor Thom represented the world to them and indeed it was a mini universe. The square wall enclosing the city of Angkor Thom represented the mountain ranges around Mount Meru and the surrounding moat (now dry) around the wall symbolized the ocean. Bayon, the famous temple within represented the link between heaven and earth. Of course, even before I entered, I was awed by the stone sculptures of the Gods. Ay, they greeted me before I entered the famous gates of Angkor Thom.. |
|  | The Bayon, the link between Heaven and Earth The Bayon, which lies right at the centre of Angkor Thom is the most famous structure in the whole of Angkor Thom. You might have heard about this wonderful place where you can find the enigmatic smiling faces of Brahma, a four-faced god. Somehow, looking at the faces struck a chord in me, I was reminded of an enigmatic painting I saw at the Lourve. That's right, to me Brahma was the Mona Lisa of the East. |
| | The Elephant Terrace And not too far from the Bayon, lies Terrace of the Elephants, and other structures. Of course, I loved the Terrace above everything else in Angkor Thom. Why? Because I love elephants! |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "A must for every temple enthusiast. Intricate carvings found here!" | | Cons: | "Do expect some jig-saw puzzle type temple wrecks." | | In A Nutshell: | "Wonderful, Magical Walled City of Temples" |
bpacker's Angkor Thum Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 9 - Photos: 9 | | | Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4 | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for bpacker about Angkor Thum | | | | |
tongkeechoi Thu Nov 30, 2006 06:14 UTC
Thanks for taking me there with the very vivid and lively comments...I wish I was one of the divas with you. | robertgaz Mon Jun 12, 2006 06:10 UTC
Have sympathy for the naga... His Royal Highness may have been horribly hideous ;~) | shounakray Sat Apr 29, 2006 20:53 UTC
Great pages, Glen! Very informative and with a touch of humour for flavour. Would indeed help my planning a trip there. You really know your way through Hindu Mythology, Kudos! | mizzzthanggg Tue Mar 21, 2006 04:37 UTC
tee hee...! i love making like apsaras too - see my hp travelogue, Essential Travelling 101 ;-) |
|
|
email me
add as friend
