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Carved stone face towers rise above Bayon temple within Angkor Thom.
Siem Reap · Temple walking guide

Angkor Thom on foot: South Gate, Bayon and the royal terraces

Read Angkor Thom as a sequence: moat approach, South Gate, Bayon and the royal enclosure’s terraces. The stone route is uneven and deserves time.

01

Approach the South Gate

Angkor Thom covers a vast walled enclosure. The South Gate is the best-preserved monumental entrance in the Ministry of Tourism account; pause at the moat and inspect the line of figures holding the naga before going through the towered gate. Keep to marked paths and do not climb the sculptures.

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

02

Read the faces and reliefs at Bayon

At Bayon look up at the face towers, then follow the lower galleries for scenes of battles, markets and daily life. Crowds gather in the central passages, so step aside for photographs and give yourself time to see both the monumental and human-scale carvings.

03

Add Baphuon and the royal terraces

If the heat and your pass time allow, continue to Baphuon and the nearby Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. The terraces face the former royal plaza; look for the long elephant procession and tightly set carved figures. These are optional extensions, not a required sprint after Bayon.

04

Route and rest

The monuments are spread across the enclosure and the walking surfaces are uneven. Arrange a driver between main stops, carry water, and agree where the vehicle will meet you. A small-circuit tour can include South Gate, Bayon and Baphuon, but route order and stops vary by product option.

05

Visitor rules and ticket scope

Check [APSARA visitor guidance](https://apsaraauthority.gov.kh/our-work/tourism-info/) for dress, worship and conservation rules. Obtain your pass through [Angkor Enterprise](https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/en); a city ride or guided transport package does not automatically include admission. Verify current access notices before travel.

Check before you go

Opening arrangements and visitor rules can change. Check the official information before your trip.

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