Angkor Thom Royal Square Square

The Royal Plaza is an enormous series of fields in central Angkor Thom, just north of Bayon temple. The lengthy Terrace of the Elephants looks east along the length of the fields, opposite a row of towers and a pair of sandstone chambers. It is easy to imagine a procession of the king’s army marching across the plaza and down the Victory Way to war.

The plaza extends several hundred yards north to south and 40-50 yards east to west. It is flanked on one side by the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, and on the other by the Prasats Suor Prat and the Khleangs.

• What it is: A large grassy clearing in the center of the royal city, extending north from Bayon and east from the Royal Palace enclosure.
• When to visit: The Angkor temples are best seen at the end of the rainy season, November through January, when the vegetation is lush and green; visit the plaza in the early morning or near sunset to avoid the heat.
• Nearest town: Siem Reap.
• Don’t miss: Overlooking the Royal Plaza and Victory Way from the central platform of the Terrace of the Elephants.
• King: Jayavarman VII.
• Date: Late 12th to early 13th century.

According to the 13th-century Chinese emissary Zhou Daguan, monthly festivals were held in the Royal Plaza, with thousands of spectators seated on wooden bleachers to watch royal processions of thousands more, including women carrying candles and the queen and concubines riding in sedan chairs. In the rear, the king, clutching the sacred sword, stood atop his war elephant, its tusks ornamented in gold, while attendants surrounded him with giant parasols.

Evening entertainment included fireworks and likely circus performances, as suggested by carvings on Bayon temple and the Elephant Terrace. The king was also expected to hold public audiences from the Elephant Terrace, giving his subjects a chance to address him.

Surrounding the square are the Prasats Suor Prat, a series of 12 mysterious towers believed to have played a role in royal ceremonies or judicial functions, and the Khleangs, a pair of long, narrow buildings thought to have served as royal storerooms or audience halls.