Bayon Temple

#cambodiatrip My favourite storied reliefs in Angkor. Not only are they masterfully carved but they also offer a glimpse into the everyday life of 12th-13th century Angkorese people. You won't find renditions of the Ramayana here, but scenes of cooks going about their cooking, a lady about to give birth, people betting on cock fights and wild pig fights, fortune tellers, hermits, boys tending cattle, people eating at home... There is also a lot of warring, both civil wars and wars between Khmer soldiers (those with long earlobes) and Cham soldiers (those with hats, or helmets), on land (on foot, on horses, on elephants) and in the water, with boats clashing, archers releasing, lancers attacking and even crocodiles eating those who fall off board. The temple also has the famous faces looking out from the towers. There are a lot of additions from different kings because the city that existed around the temple, Angkor Thom, was so well fortified that successive kings didn't bother founding new capitals, as was their custom.