Baphuon Temple Guide: The Tower of Bronze
Updated: Apr 8
The Baphuon temple is a significant historical and architectural monument located within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is a part of Angkor Thom, the great capital city of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries.
Built in the 11th century as a tribute to the Hindu god Shiva, Baphuon Temple features a three-tiered pyramid design representing Mount Meru. Adorned with intricate carvings and bas-reliefs portraying Hindu mythology and daily life during the Khmer Empire, the temple also underwent a conversion to Buddhism.
Several restoration projects have thankfully preserved the Baphuon's historical and artistic value, giving us the opportunity to visit this incredible temple to this very day, almost a thousand years on from its initial construction.
Read on for our highlights, the history of the temple, and all you need to know about how to get there, the best time to visit, ticket information and much more.
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Book your Angkor Temples tour with Klook
● Visit the Angkor Thom complex where you will explore the fascinating beauty of Bayon Temple and the world-famous Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb-Raider Temple)
● Marvel at the enormous and beautiful Angkor Wat Temple, one of the largest religious monuments in the world
● The temples on this tour are among the biggest in the Angkor Complex
Our Baphuon Temple highlights
Baphuon Temple is inside the 'great city' of Angkor Thom and just a short walk from Bayon. Often overlooked in favor of the nearby temples of Bayon, Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, Baphuon was a unique opportunity to visit a temple here in relative peace away from the crowds. That being said, the 225m walk just to get to the foot of the temple doesn’t offer any protection from the sun, and was a real challenge in the heat!
The scale of this temple is so impressive, and one can only imagine the amount of blood, sweat and tears that went into its construction, let alone the grinding years of incredible restoration effort to get it back to what you see today.
Baphuon Temple would have been surrounded by water back in its heyday, although we are not entirely sure if this was the main reason for the construction of causeway itself. It seems to be though!
Baphuon Temple involves a lot of climbing, but the spectacular views of Angkor Thom are definitely worth it. It is massive in scale and built on a man-made hill, and is said to be King Udayadityavarman II's first construction project. No doubt no expense was spared as he built his legacy in stone.
Carvings of animal hunters, epic battles and lotus flowers greeted us in every direction as we made our way to the very top of the temple. The stairs are fairly steep to get to the top, but the view is absolutely wonderful and well worth the climb and the sweat!
The top section features covered walkways that take you around the entire square perimeter, giving a much needed break from the blazing sun. The construction of these walkways alone are really alluring, with the arched ceiling resembling the lotus flower shape, and each wall opening offering amazing views and great photo opportunities.
Baphuon Temple is an absolute must-see temple if you are visiting the Angkor site in our opinion. It is one of the oldest and perhaps more significant temples, and has a marvelous history which has thankfully been saved from mother nature's clutches. It has a wonderful story to tell, and the views it offers should not be missed in our opinion.
Check out the history of Baphuon Temple in the next section, and keep scrolling to find out more about how to get here, tips for visiting, the temple opening times, ticket information and more.
The history of Baphuon Temple in Cambodia
The Baphuon temple holds a complex history that spans centuries, reflecting the cultural and religious changes that occurred in the region. Here is a detailed overview of its history:
⪢ 11th Century
The Baphuon temple was constructed during the reign of King Udayadityavarman II, who ruled from 1050 to 1066. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the temple was intended as a grand and symbolic representation of Mount Meru, the mythical abode of the gods in Hindu cosmology. Its three-tiered pyramid design with a central sanctuary was part of the larger Angkor complex, which served as the capital city of the Khmer Empire.
⪢ 13th Century
The Khmer Empire began to shift its religious focus from Hinduism to Buddhism during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. This change is reflected in the modifications made to some of the temples within the Angkor complex, including the Baphuon. Elements of Hindu iconography were often replaced with Buddhist imagery during this period.
Baphuon Temple, perhaps unknowingly at the time, was built on a foundation of sandy soil which proved to be too soft and inadequate for such an immense structure. This shaky foundation caused the temple to be unstable for most of its history, and it is believed that large portions had already collapsed by the time it was converted to a Buddhist temple.
The stones from the collapsed portion of the structure were most likely used to form the hidden reclining Buddha on the west-facing section of the third enclosure wall. It is fairly hard to spot, but when you see it you can't unsee it. It is said to be one of the largest reclining Buddha's in Southeast Asia.
⪢ 15th Century
The decline of the Khmer Empire and the eventual abandonment of the Angkor complex led to a period of neglect and deterioration for many of the temples, including the Baphuon.
⪢ 16th to 20th Century
The Angkor region gradually became overgrown by the jungle, and many of its temples were forgotten or hidden from view. The Baphuon, like other structures, was covered by vegetation and debris.
⪢ 20th Century
In the mid-20th century, the French-led École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) initiated efforts to restore the Baphuon. This restoration project, which began in the 1960s, was an intricate and challenging process. The temple was carefully dismantled, literally stone by stone, and up to 300,000 sandstone blocks were labelled and numbered. The project aimed not only to restore the temple's original form but also to stabilize its structure to prevent collapse.
The stones were laid out around the site, taking up an incredible 10 hectares. Despite the huge amount of work that had been undertaken, the project was sadly abandoned when civil war broke out in 1970. The subsequent takeover of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge resulted in the ending of all restoration projects in Angkor, with the Khmer Rouge ordering the burning of all plans and maps produced by them.
⪢ 21st Century
Restoration work restarted on the Baphuon Temple in 1996, which came to be known as the largest three dimensional jigsaw puzzle in the world. Led by renowned architect Pascal Royère, the project used both traditional and modern techniques to ensure the temple's longevity. The restoration process was marked by its complexity, involving experts in fields ranging from archaeology and engineering to art history and conservation.
Today, the Baphuon temple stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise required to preserve Cambodia's cultural heritage. It remains an important historical and architectural monument within the Angkor Archaeological Park, attracting visitors from around the world who seek to witness the grandeur of the Khmer Empire's artistic achievements and to understand the rich history of the region.
How to get to Baphuon Temple
Walking isn’t really an option at the Angkor site as the temples are huge, the distance between each is vast, and the sun is searingly hot. We used a local Tuk-tuk driver, who we booked for a week through our Airbnb, to show us around. He was full of information and also doubles up as a guide, alongside always being on hand with a cold drink after a temple visit. We would definitely recommend this option!
Baphuon is located inside the Angkor Thom complex and is at the end of a 225m causeway (which starts at the end of the Terrace of the Elephants). It’s situated just to the north of Bayon Temple and south of Phimeanakas Temple.
⪢ By tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuks are a popular way to get around Siem Reap and the surrounding area. They are relatively inexpensive and can take you to Baphuon Temple in about 20 minutes from the city center. As mentioned this is the option we chose, and we can recommend our very reliable and impressive driver if needed. Feel free to get in touch and we would be happy to share his details.
⪢ By bicycle
If you are feeling energetic, you can also cycle to Baphuon Temple. The ride is about 4 kilometers from the city centre and takes about 30 minutes. It is very hot however, so do remember to bring plenty of water and keep hydrated.
⪢ By tour
There are many tour operators in Siem Reap that offer day trips to Baphuon Temple amongst others. This is a good option if you want to learn more about the temple and its history. Consider using Klook, who offer a variety of different experiences at great prices. Tap the link below to find out more.
● Visit the Angkor Thom complex where you will explore the fascinating beauty of Bayon Temple and the world-famous Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb-Raider Temple)
● Marvel at the enormous and beautiful Angkor Wat Temple, one of the largest religious monuments in the world
● The temples on this tour are among the biggest in the Angkor Complex
Tips for visiting Baphuon Temple and the Angkor site
⪢ Start early
Baphuon Temple is not one of the most popular temples in Angkor, but can be one of the hottest (depending on the season you visit). It is located at the end of a 225 metre causeway which has no cover from the sun. The public areas of the temple have no cover too. Try to avoid going during the middle of the day to avoid the peak of the sun.
⪢ Bring water
It can get hot in the Angkor region, so be sure to bring plenty of water with you and stay hydrated!
⪢ Bring bug spray
Mosquitos are prevalent here, especially during the hot season. If you are prone to bites, bringing repellent can make a big difference.
⪢ Wear comfortable shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking and climbing at Baphuon, so wear comfortable shoes.
⪢ Be respectful
Baphuon Temple is a sacred site, so be sure to be respectful of the temple and its surroundings.
⪢ Dress appropriately
When visiting Baphuon Temple, both men and women should have their shoulders covered, and knees should be concealed by avoiding shorts or short skirts. Revealing or tight clothing should be avoided. It's recommended to carry a scarf or shawl to cover shoulders or wrap around the waist if necessary.
Hats and sunglasses are acceptable for sun protection but should be removed when entering the temple. Adhering to these dress code guidelines shows respect for the religious and cultural significance of the site and helps preserve its historical importance.
⪢ Be aware of sellers
With over 2 million visitors a year, Angkor is a vital source of income for the locals. There are many stalls and vendors who are very persistent in offering souvenirs and wares. Also you will often have people come up to you within the temple sites, telling history or offering to take photographs. Almost always they will expect money in return, although they will not mention this first.
⪢ Security
The temple security staff are very kind, but also be aware that if they offer to take photos, they are also looking for some cash too!
⪢ Bring cash
If you do intend on picking up a local guide, buying souvenirs or donating money, do remember to bring enough cash. ATM's are very scarce in this area, and often do not work with international cards. Most local food stands, stores and restaurants only take cash too, so be prepared.
Entry Fee to Baphuon Temple
The entry fee for Baphuon Temple is included in the ticket for the Angkor Archaeological Park. There is no separate entrance fee to visit the temple.
The cost of the Angkor Archaeological Park ticket varies depending on the length of your stay:
1-day pass: US$37
3-day pass: US$62
7-day pass: US$72
Children under 12 years old are admitted free.
** Prices are correct at time of writing (April 2024). Please check the official website below for the most up-to-date information.
You can buy your Angkor Archaeological Park ticket online or at the Official Ticket Center, which is around 4km away from the main site (map below).
Baphuon Temple opening times
Baphuon Temple is open from 7:30am to 5pm every day. The last entry is at 4.30pm.
Best time to visit Baphuon Temple & Angkor
The best time to visit Baphuon Temple weather-wise is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April. Within this period, there are two main favorable seasons:
⪢ Cool Season (November to February)
This is the peak tourist season in Cambodia. The weather is relatively mild, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. It's an excellent time to explore Baphuon and other temples comfortably without being overwhelmed by the heat. However, do keep in mind that this is the busiest time for tourism, so expect larger crowds at popular sites.
⪢ Hot Season (March to April)
During these months, the weather starts getting hotter, and temperatures can soar, especially in April. While it's not as crowded as the cool season, the scorching heat might make outdoor exploration less comfortable for you. If you can tolerate the heat, visiting during this time could still be enjoyable, as the skies remain clear, and you can capture stunning photographs of Baphuon in the golden sunlight.
We visited at the back-end of March, and it was extremely hot, averaging 40+ degrees Celsius (104F) daily. The temples involve a lot of walking and climbing, with much of it not undercover. It is essential to consider your personal preferences and comfort levels when choosing the best time to come here. If you prefer fewer crowds and can handle hotter temperatures, the hot season might work well for you. The trade-off for milder weather is bigger crowds, so pick wisely!
We do recommend you avoid the rainy season, which typically spans from May to October. During this period, Cambodia experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity, which can make exploring the temple complex challenging due to muddy and slippery conditions. Moreover, some areas may be inaccessible, and the landscape won't be as picturesque as during the dry season.
Other must-see temples near Baphuon Temple
⪢ Angkor Wat
This is the most famous temple in Angkor and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is a massive temple complex that was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II.
⪢ Bayon Temple
This temple is located in the heart of Angkor Thom and is known for its 54 giant faces that are carved into the towers of the temple. It's located just a short walk ten minute away from the Baphuon Temple. The temple's intricate bas-reliefs depict historical events, everyday life, and mythological scenes.
⪢ Ta Prohm
This temple is famed for the way large trees have intertwined with the ruins, creating a captivating blend of nature and history. The film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" brought global attention to Ta Prohm. It's not far from the Bayon temple.
⪢ Preah Khan
Another temple with a stunning atmosphere, Preah Khan boasts long corridors, intricate carvings, and a sense of exploration. It's located north of Angkor Thom.
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