Bayon

About

The ancient temple of Bayon remained a mystery for centuries - it wasn’t until recently that researchers determined it was built in the late 12th century by Cambodia’s most famous king, Jayavarman VII, at the center of his capital. Over the years, the temple was converted from Hinduism to Buddhism in accordance to the religious preferences of later kings, but Jayavarman's creative genius remained the centerpiece of the complex. The 54 ornate towers are ornamented with 216 gigantic faces of a benevolent Avalokiteshvara. It’s believed that the Khmer empire consisted of 54 provinces when Bayon was constructed, and these omniscient visages kept watch on every corner of the kingdom. Nearly every other surface is covered with elaborate bas-reliefs depicting 11,000 figures, stretching for a combined 1.2 kilometers.