History of Angkor Thom

 Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a 3km² walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of Angkorian empire. After Jayavarman VII  recaptured the Angkorian from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building camping across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphoun and Phimeanakas and built a grand encolosed city around them, adding the outer wall/moat. He then constructed some of Angkor greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to  the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 faces. The South Gate is often first stop on tour.