Bayon Temple

Constructed late 12th century – early 13th century (1181-1220) by king Jayavarman VII.
Religion: Buddhist. Art style: Bayon.

Bayon is located in the center of Angkor Thom. Bayon has 54 towers give this temple its majestic character and each tower with four faces oriented toward the cardinal poits.
The best of Bayon are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper level where the stone faces reside.
The bas-reliefs on the southern wall contain real-life scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. Even more interesting are extensive carving of unique and revealing scenes of every day life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth. The surrounding tall jungle makes Bayon a bit dark and flat for photographs near sunrise and sunset.