The Bayon at a glance
The Bayon is the state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist king Jayavarman VII. It dates from the late 12th or early 13th century and stands in the middle of his capital, Angkor Thom, inside the Angkor park near Siem Reap. It is best known for the large smiling stone faces on its towers and for two cycles of reliefs that show mythological, historical and everyday scenes.
You visit the Bayon with an Angkor Pass. In 2026 a one-day pass costs $37, a three-day pass $62 and a seven-day pass $72. Under the Angkor Pass rules the Bayon is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which matters if you hope to be there for sunrise.
What this guide covers
The Bayon, the tours that include it and the practical details.
This guide stays with the Bayon: the faces, the bas-reliefs, the figure of Avalokiteshvara, the Apsara dancers carved on its pillars and the dance shows in Siem Reap, the Khmer Empire behind it, the opening hours, the restoration work and the practical side of a trip to Cambodia. The other buildings of Angkor Thom, such as the gates and the royal terraces, have their own guide at Angkor Thom. Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Siem Reap in general are covered by the Angkor park guide.
The Bayon is one stop on the usual temple route, which is why most visitors see it on a day tour together with Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. The tour block below shows what is available with live prices and dates.
Our picks: Bayon and Angkor tours
The small-group day is the simplest way to see the Bayon together with Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Choose the two-hour walk if the carved reliefs are what you came for, or the bike day if you would rather ride between the temples. The two-day tour leaves more time at each stop.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two days at Angkor with sunrise, the Bayon and sunset
- Angkor Wat sunrise
- Bayon on day one
- Phnom Bakheng sunset
Two separate tour days with an English-speaking guide, hotel transfer and a minibus. The Angkor Pass is extra, and for two days you need the three-day pass.
Check availability →
Cycling the Angkor temples with the Bayon
- Bike and helmet
- Cycling guide
- Snacks, fruit and water
About 30 km by bike through Angkor Thom and the Bayon to Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat. Lunch comes with the lunch option only, and the Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Two-hour Bayon walk on the carvings and Khmer daily life
- Licensed local guide
- Daily-life reliefs explained
- Stone-motif search
A walk inside the Bayon that explains the history and the carved scenes of Khmer daily life. You meet at the temple, and the Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →Full-day small-group tour: Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon
- Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm
- Angkor Thom with the Bayon
- Air-conditioned vehicle
An English-speaking guide and the hotel transfer are included. Entry to the temples is extra.
Check availability →
Angkor small-group day with Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm
- Bayon, Baphuon and terraces
- Sunrise or sunset option
- English-speaking guide
Ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with water and a cold towel on board. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →Angkor Wat tours with the Bayon
Small-group, private and sunrise tours that include the Bayon, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit to the Bayon
Every page of this guide in one place.
Angkor Wat tours with the Bayon
Small-group and private tours, and what to check before you book.
Angkor Wat sunrise and the Bayon
How to plan a sunrise start and a Bayon visit after opening.
The stone faces
Smiles, towers and the different ways the faces are read.
The bas-reliefs
Battles, markets and daily life carved in stone.
Avalokiteshvara at the Bayon
One reading of the faces among several.
Apsara dance
The dancers carved on the pillars and the shows in Siem Reap.
Khmer Empire and Bayon history
The state temple of Jayavarman VII and the empire around it.
Opening hours and visiting tips
Hours, clothing, rules and what to expect on site.
Restoration
Conservation work and what it means for your visit.
Best time to visit
Dry and wet months and typical temperatures in Siem Reap.
Cambodia travel tips
Visa, money and the transfer from Siem Reap Angkor Airport.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
Areas of the town and how to choose between them.
A few things to know before you go
Details that decide how your day works out.
The Bayon opens at 7:30
Under the Angkor Pass rules the Bayon is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Angkor Wat usually opens from 5 a.m. (check the current hours before you go), so plan Angkor Wat for first light and the Bayon for later in the morning.
Sunrise and the Bayon →The upper terrace may be closed
The upper terrace may be closed (as of July 2026), so check on site.
Visiting tips →Counts of faces and towers differ
Counts differ: roughly about 170 to 180 surviving large faces on 37 to 52 towers, depending on whether only the towers still standing or the original design are counted. Not every tower has the same number of faces.
The stone faces →Children and photos
Children under 12 enter without a ticket, and a passport can serve as proof of age. The one-day pass needs no photo, while the three-day and seven-day passes require one.
The airport is far from town
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) opened for flights on 16 October 2023 and lies about 50 km east of the town, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by road.
Cambodia travel tips →The land border with Thailand
As of October 2026 the border crossings to Thailand are closed. Plan to arrive by air.
Entry and travel advice →More independent Angkor guides
Separate guides from the same team.
The Bayon: frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate ticket for the Bayon?
You enter the Bayon with an Angkor Pass. The pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three days used within seven days and $72 for seven days used within 30 days (2026). Children under 12 enter without a ticket.
What are the Bayon's opening hours?
Under the Angkor Pass rules the Bayon is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The visiting tips page has the details.
Can I see the Bayon at sunrise?
Do not plan on being inside the temple at first light. Most visitors watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat and visit the Bayon later in the morning. See the sunrise page for a timeline.
How many faces does the Bayon have?
Counts differ: roughly about 170 to 180 surviving large faces on 37 to 52 towers. The faces page explains the differences.
Is a tour worth it for the Bayon?
Many visitors combine the Bayon with Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm on one day, and a guide helps with the reliefs and the many interpretations of the faces. You can also visit on your own with a pass. See the tours page to compare formats.
Is bayon-temple.org the official website of the Bayon?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the APSARA National Authority, Angkor Enterprise or any tour operator, dance show or hotel.