Bayon: Do you really understand the "Khmer smile"?
The best temple in AngkorThom is Bayon. Legend has it that smiling Buddha statues can be seen in every corner of the Bayon Temple. This smile attracted people from all over the world to Cambodia.
Jiang Xun once said, "The first time I saw the sculpture of Angkor was at the Jumeirah Museum in Paris, a portrait of King Jayavarman VII, with his eyes drooping, his hair neatly combed back, and an indescribable tranquility between his eyebrows and eyes. , And with the compassion that sees through all human suffering." Jiang Xun went to see the sunshine on the hundreds of smiling faces in the Bayon Temple again and again, calling this "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life."
Decipher the story behind the "Khmer Smile"
These 216 statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva with faint smiles are surprisingly similar to the face of Jaya varman VII (1180-1215), the greatest king in the history of Angkor. During the reign of King Jayavarman VII, the power of the empire reached the peak of the 25th dynasty of Angkor and ruled a large area of the Indochina Peninsula. The territory included Cambodia and Laos, Thailand, part of the Malay Peninsula and part of Burma. The greatest empire on the land of Southeast Asia at that time.
He built exquisite and tall Buddhist temples, and carved statues of Bodhisattva on forty-nine pagodas and five city gates. These buildings were once inlaid with gold. The four-faced Buddha thought of the boundless heart of compassion, compassion, joy, and abandonment, and the Buddhist philosophy of showing his power and compassion.
Because of the liberation of the country, the expansion of territories, the construction of temples and basic measures for people's livelihood, and the conversion of the national religion to Buddhism, later generations gave him a high evaluation. He was called the greatest king in Khmer history. His people empathized with his sympathy, and the inscription of Saifeng in Laos reads: In the eyes of King Jayavarman VII, "the suffering of the people is his suffering". His ultimate goal as a king is to change Cambodia. Become a world of bliss, and let his people become gods.
What should you not miss when you come to Bayon?
Originally, when Cambodia was called Chenla, the entire country adopted Hinduism as the state religion. The Bayon Temple originally planned to build two floors to worship Shiva. The first and second floors of the temple are basically Hindu epic stories and myths. However, because the king believed in Mahayana Buddhism, the third level of Buddhism was added (hard) when building, and it was changed to Mahayana Buddhist Temple.
Bayon Temple built 54 stupas, the largest one in the middle, about 40 meters high, the remaining 48 towers plus the 5 four-faced Buddhas on the city gate, all clustered around it like stars holding the moon. It was built with the setting of Mount Sumeru (Buddhism also has Mount Sumeru, the center of the universe, and the highest state) in Hindu culture.
If you want to learn about Hindu epics and myths, come here to see the lively and interesting reliefs. The value of the reliefs of the Bayon Temple is far more than just religious mythology. It is more about real war scenes, ordinary people's daily life and work scenes. The expressions and body movements of the characters are as lively as dramatic.
In addition, in the Bayon Temple, the most popular way to take photos is to touch your nose. No matter where you are in the temple, you can get the king's compassionate and calm smile. It depends on how smart you find the angle to take a photo.
Address: TheBayon, Krong Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Opening hours: 5:00-18:00
Tickets: Angkor Wat Scenic Pass includes 1-day ticket (valid for 1 day, USD 20), 3-day ticket (valid for any 3 days within a week, USD 40) and 7-day ticket (valid for any 7 days within January, USD 60) )
Tips:
- In any corner of the Bayon Temple, you can see the smile of the greatest king in the history of Angkor. No matter which corner it is, or which door frame it stands in front of.
- In the scenic area, there will be local children who will take the initiative to lead tourists to find the most beautiful corners of the Bayon Temple. Please pay attention to giving a proper tip (within US$2 to US$5) after the tour and taking photos. If you don’t accept it, it’s best to start at the beginning Explicitly decline.
- The temples of Angkor Wat are not allowed to wear short skirts, shorts, short sleeves or even shoulder-length clothes (if you don’t want to bring too many clothes, buy trousers with rich and colorful local patterns at the old market, basically 1.5 to 2.5 US dollars. In between, the price is expensive, you can use a calculator to bargain).
Angkor Museum: The Mystery Behind "Khmer Smile"
Some people say that the Buddhist belief is the spiritual bond that connects the ancient Khmer civilization with Cambodia today. For only $12, you can imagine the success of that great empire in the Angkor National Museum, and see the gradual transition from Hinduism to Buddhism. Most of the collections in the museum are built around Buddha.
Eight exhibition halls, mostly naked exhibitions
The Angkor National Museum has eight exhibition halls, which contain a variety of architectural and artistic treasures from the Angkor period. Multimedia technology displays the history, culture and life of the Angkor period from all angles. Most of the art treasures are even naked exhibitions, including the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII, the treasure of the town hall. There is no glass barrier, as if the ancestor was breathing in front of you, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
There are many collections in the museum. In addition to the monkey god Hanuman, who is the prototype of Monkey King in "Journey to the West", there is also a mythical animal that has a lot to do with Chinese Buddhist legends. What do you think it is? Look at this relief from the first threshold of the Royal Palace, telling the story of "The god bird Garuda is pulling the snake god Naga, splashing waves all around".
The golden-winged roc bird commonly referred to in ancient China is the divine bird "Galuda" recorded in Hindu and Buddhist texts, also known as "Galuda". In Hinduism, it is the mount of the god Vishnu, while in Buddhism, it is one of the eight tribes and lives in the lower level of Mount Xumi.
More mysterious than the Mona Lisa, there would be no Bayon without her
There are statues of women with beautiful faces in the museum. The light smile is full of the joy of life, which is more moving than Mona Lisa's smile. The prototype of the statue is Indradevi, the second queen of Jayavarman VII. Indra was originally the sister of the first queen Jayarajadevi. After Jayali died of illness, Indra married Jayavarman VII.
As the saying goes, “Behind every successful man is a woman who silently supports him.” These two wives had a huge influence on King Jayavarman VII, and they were important guides for him to convert to Mahayana Buddhism, especially when Indra passed the Buddhism. Guided the king’s administration and built 100 hospitals to relieve sentient beings.
You can see their statues and reliefs on both sides of the east entrance of the central tower temple in the inner tier of the Angkor National Museum and even the Bayon Temple. The smile on their delicate faces is like the infinite tranquility blooming in meditation. He Xinyue's smile is hard to forget at first sight.
Angkor Museum official website: http://www.angkornationalmuseum.com/
Tips:
Angkor Museum opening hours: April 1st-September 30th 8:30-18:00; October 1st-March 31st 8:30-18:30
Tickets: US$12 per person; half price for children under 12 years old; half price for students with valid student IDs; discount of $1/person for booking tickets on the official website in advance; also renting an explanation device for $3/set, available in English, Chinese, French, Korean and Japanese of.
Phone: 063-966601
The most beautiful sunrise and sunset, a paradise in the light of Buddha
Jiang Xun said, "Angkor Thom is like a Buddhist scripture, and the scriptures are read and sung at sunrise, sunset, full moon, moon deficiencies, flowers blooming, flowers fading, life and death, waiting for personal comprehension."
The pool in front of Little Angkor: Experience the card game at 5 o'clock in the morning
Hinduism advocates the East, so almost all the temples in Angkor Wat face east, only the little Angkor faces west. Therefore, it has become an excellent sunrise viewing spot. You'd better leave at four in the morning and arrive at Little Angkor before five o'clock in order to compete for a photo spot by the pool in front of Little Angkor. Here, travelers of different nationalities flocked to the small pool. The figure of the Orientals is really not dominant. They either step on their feet, use a selfie stick, or even bring a stool.
Everyone held their breath and waited until the sun showed a small face, and bursts of exclamation burst out. As the sun shines, the outlines of the five towers of the temple are particularly clear, and the reflections in the pool are like dreams. It is said that every time you come to Angkor, the sunrise you see is not necessarily the same. The sky light and cloud shadows will appear different colors with the sunrise.
When the sun rises, we will visit the straight minaret of Angkor Wat. Taking advantage of the sunshine at 9 o'clock in the morning, by the dry swimming pool in Little Angkor, the lens captured the beautiful rainbow light, like a miracle. The companions happily said that Little Angkor is really a paradise in the Buddha's light.
Address: AngkorWat, Krong Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Opening hours: 05:00-18:00 (Tickets for the next day will be sold at around 16:30 every day (the valid period starts from the next day), and you can go in and visit at 17:00 after purchasing the ticket until it closes.)
Tickets: You can buy a pass. Children under 12 and Cambodian residents are free. You don't need a ticket to enter the scenic spot after 17:00, and you can visit it for free. Tickets for Angkor Wat are sold from 5:00-17:30. Tourists who watch the sunrise in the morning but have not purchased tickets do not have to worry about ticket purchases.
Tips:
To watch the sunrise, it is best to enter the Angkor Temple at around 5 in the morning. The best place to shoot is at the leftmost corner of the pool on the left hand side, which is a must for photographers. Consider bringing a taller stool. You will take great photos without a human head. If you use a selfie stick, the picture quality may not be so ideal.
Sunset on Mount Bakken: See all the gods at dusk on a small hill
"I am a stone lion in a daze in the sunset. I see the night sky and the bustling fading away, without saying a word." In Bakheng Mountain, I sat quietly with travelers from all over the world and waited for the sunset. Bakken Mountain is a small hill in the main ruins of Angkor, but the mountain is still steep, the sunset slowly climbs up the mottled stone walls and the slumped spires, and the old dreams of the Khmer dynasty are rising in the forest. Layers of quiet light, how desolate and magnificent.
In addition to these, there is a more burning way to watch the sunrise and sunset-take a hot air balloon and overlook the world's largest religious complex. From the hot air balloon, you can admire the silhouettes of the twilight building communities and the ancient towers in the deep dense forests. The scenery is peaceful and magnificent, and it moves people's minds.
Address: Phnom Bakheng, Krong Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Opening hours: 5:00-18:00 (Generally stop admission at 17:30)
Tickets: a pass is enough. Free for children under 12 and Cambodian residents.
Tips:
- The Bakken Mountain has a daily current limit. It is best to line up around three o'clock to go hiking. It will take about 3 hours to see the sunset. However, some tourists will give up and go down the mountain in the middle, and the people in line below have the opportunity to replace Come up.
- If you encounter a monk by chance, if you want to take a picture, please put your hands together when you say hello, hold it on your chest, and bend over and bow. Women must not touch the monks. Mao Mao was short-circuited at the time and almost shook hands politely.
- The Pre Rup of Bi Reap Temple is the second best place to watch the sunset in Siem Reap besides Bakken Mountain. The afterglow of the setting sun falls on the pyramid-shaped building is quite spectacular and charming.
Play Jungle Quest: Fly over like "Tomb Raider" to find the prototype of the sky city
Some people say that the process of visiting Angkor is as exciting as a jungle adventure. But do you want to play a real game? There are not only adventure games of jungle leap, but also hidden temples like Beng Meilee waiting for you to explore.
The world's top zipline adventure, screaming and flying over Angkor Rock
Tie the longest single zip line in Cambodia, screaming and flying over the tangled primitive jungle and the silent stone city of Angkor. Became Angelina Jolie in minutes, crossing the suspended cable bridge in mid-air. Perhaps, having a close encounter with the gibbons, thinking about it, the adrenal hormones are soaring.
The jungle adventure route of Angkor Scenic Area was designed and constructed by a team of New Zealand experts. It has 21 platforms with high hanging tree tops, 4 sky bridges spanning hundreds of meters, a 50-foot rappelling route, countless spiral ladders surrounding trees, the longest single zipline in Cambodia, and 6 hectares of strange creatures. A live-action version of "Tomb Raider" is staged in minutes with the rain forest of animals.
Tips:
Address: Northeast of Ta Keo Temple in the scenic area of Angkor Wat, a 20-minute drive from downtown Siem Reap. Angkor Archaeological Park is also nearby.
Cost: US$129 (reference price)
Service: Aerial work experts and environmental experts will accompany the whole process, provide professional equipment and teach professional techniques, and share knowledge of animals, plants and geography
