Baphuon
The Baphuon is an 11th-century temple-mountain within the Angkor Thom complex near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Built under King Udayadityavarman II, it was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and later converted to Buddhism. Its colossal scale, delicate bas-reliefs, and extraordinary modern reconstruction make it one of Angkor’s most emblematic monuments.
Key facts
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Location: Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Constructed: Mid-11th century CE
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Founder: King Udayadityavarman II
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Original religion: Hindu (Shiva); later Buddhist
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Height: ≈ 43 m; length ≈ 120 m
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Reopening after restoration: 2011
Architecture and layout
Baphuon exemplifies the “temple-mountain” concept representing mythical Mount Meru. The sandstone structure rises in three stacked terraces connected by steep stairways. A 200-meter elevated sandstone causeway supported by rows of columns leads visitors to its eastern gate. The temple once featured galleries and towers richly carved with scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Khmer life. The scale and engineering ambition foreshadowed the later grandeur of Angkor Wat.
Transformation and the Reclining Buddha
During the 15th–16th centuries, as Cambodia embraced Buddhism, the temple’s western façade was re-shaped into a massive reclining Buddha—about 9 meters tall and 70 meters long—using stones from collapsed sections. The figure’s outline, subtly integrated into the wall, remains one of Angkor’s largest sculptural images.
Collapse and restoration
Built on soft sandy soil, Baphuon became unstable and partially collapsed within centuries. A French-led restoration in the 1960s dismantled 300,000 stones for structural repair, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed the cataloging records. In 1996, architect Pascal Royère’s team resumed the effort, effectively solving the “world’s largest 3D jigsaw puzzle.” After 16 years of work, the temple reopened in 2011, standing as a global symbol of archaeological perseverance.
Visiting today
Baphuon lies within the Royal Palace enclosure of Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon Temple. Access is included in the Angkor Archaeological Park pass. Visitors can walk the elevated causeway, view the reclining Buddha, and admire the contrast between original and reconstructed stones. For safety, climbing to the upper tier is restricted for children under 12.
