Overview
Angkor Thom was the last great capital of the Khmer Empire in present-day Cambodia. Built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, this 9 km² fortified city is famous for the Bayon temple’s giant stone faces. In 2026, archaeologists discovered an ancient hydraulic system within the royal palace complex.
A Lost City Found Again
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia lie the ruins of a once-mighty city. Its name is Angkor Thom , which means “Great City” in the Khmer language. For hundreds of years, this was the capital of the Khmer Empire, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Today, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It attracts thousands of visitors every year. In 2026, archaeologists made a new discovery inside the royal palace complex. They found remains of a 12th-century hydraulic system – an ancient network of drains and moats. This discovery helps us understand how the people of Angkor Thom managed water and kept their city safe from floods.
Where Is Angkor Thom?
Angkor Thom is located in present-day Cambodia . It lies to the north of the famous Angkor Wat temple. The city sits between two large reservoirs: the West Baray and the East Baray . The whole area is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park , which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
The History of Angkor Thom
Why Was It Built?
In 1181, the Khmer king Jayavarman VII drove out invaders from the kingdom of Champa. The old capital had been destroyed. So the king decided to build a completely new capital city. He chose a location north of Angkor Wat. He named his new city Angkor Thom, the “Great City”. He ruled from this city until his death in 1219. After that, the city remained the capital of the Khmer Empire for several centuries. As the empire declined, the city was slowly abandoned. By the 16th century, Angkor Thom was empty, swallowed by the jungle.
A Buddhist City
Previous Khmer kings had built Hindu temples. But Jayavarman VII was a follower of Mahayana Buddhism . So he designed Angkor Thom as a Buddhist city . However, he did not completely remove Hindu and local beliefs. The city contains a mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and ancestral worship. This blending of religions is called religious syncretism .
The Layout and Features of Angkor Thom
A Square Fortress
Angkor Thom is shaped like a perfect square . Each side of the city wall is about 3 kilometres long . The walls are made of laterite stone and stand 8 metres high (about 26 feet). A wide moat surrounds the outside of the walls. The moat was filled with water and acted as a defence against attackers.
Five Grand Gates
There are five gates to enter the city. One gate is in the north wall, one in the west, one in the south, and two in the east wall. Each gate is more than 20 metres high . On top of each gate, four giant stone faces look out in the four directions. These faces are believed to be guardians of the city. The South Gate is the most famous. The road leading to it is lined with 54 stone gods on one side and 54 demons on the other.
The Bayon Temple: Heart of the City
At the exact centre of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon Temple . This is the most famous structure in the city. The Bayon is known for its dozens of huge stone faces carved on tall towers. The faces are serene and smiling. Scholars believe they represent the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara , a being of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism. Some think the faces were modelled on King Jayavarman VII himself. The Bayon was originally built as a Buddhist temple. Later kings, who were Hindu, added Hindu elements. So the temple reflects the religious mix of the empire.
Other Important Monuments
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Terrace of the Elephants – A 350-metre-long platform used for royal ceremonies. Its walls are carved with elephants and lions.
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Terrace of the Leper King – A platform named after a statue found there. The statue is now believed to represent the Hindu god of death, Yama.
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Baphuon – A large temple built earlier, before Angkor Thom. It was later incorporated into the city.
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Phimeanakas – A temple inside the royal palace grounds.
The 2026 Discovery: An Ancient Drainage System
In 2026, archaeologists from the APSARA National Authority (the agency that manages Angkor) made an exciting find. They were excavating near the royal palace. They uncovered the remains of a 12th-century hydraulic system . This system included:
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A moat structure made of 9 to 11 steps of laterite stone.
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Three drainage systems at the base of the palace wall.
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Six water outlets that had been buried for centuries.
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A large pond on the northern side of the palace, with 15 laterite steps and beautiful carvings.
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A sandstone pond measuring about 65 metres by 30 metres.
These drains were used to channel water out of the palace grounds. They prevented flooding and kept the area dry. The carvings on the pond show scenes of daily life and nature from the 12th century. The APSARA Authority now plans to restore these ancient drains to solve modern flooding problems that threaten the temple foundations.
Why Angkor Thom Matters Today
Angkor Thom is a symbol of Cambodia’s rich history and culture. It shows the skill of Khmer engineers and artists. The stone faces of the Bayon are known all over the world. The new discovery of the hydraulic system proves that the Khmer people were also masters of water management. For students of history and archaeology, Angkor Thom offers endless lessons. For travellers, it is a place of wonder and beauty.
Exam-Focused Points
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Angkor Thom means: “Great City” in Khmer.
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Location: Present-day Cambodia, north of Angkor Wat.
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Builder: King Jayavarman VII.
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Built in: Late 12th century (after 1181).
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Area: 9 square kilometres.
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Shape: Square, with walls 8 m high and 3 km on each side.
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Defence: Wide moat around the city.
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Number of gates: Five.
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Central temple: Bayon Temple (famous for giant stone faces).
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Religion: Primarily Mahayana Buddhism, with Hindu elements.
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Other structures: Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Baphuon, Phimeanakas.
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UNESCO inscription: 1992 (as part of Angkor Archaeological Park).
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2026 discovery: Ancient hydraulic system (moat, drains, water outlets) near the royal palace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does the name ‘Angkor Thom’ mean?
A: It means “Great City” in the Khmer language.
Q2: Who built Angkor Thom?
A: King Jayavarman VII built the city after defeating the Cham invaders in 1181.
Q3: Which temple is at the centre of Angkor Thom?
A: The Bayon Temple, famous for its large stone faces, stands at the centre.
Q4: What religion influenced the design of Angkor Thom?
A: The city was designed as a Buddhist capital, reflecting King Jayavarman VII’s devotion to Mahayana Buddhism.
Q5: What did archaeologists discover in Angkor Thom in 2026?
A: They uncovered a 12th-century hydraulic system, including a moat, three drains, six water outlets, and two ponds near the royal palace.