KH · Siem Reap · 13.41°N 103.87°E

angkor wat

The world's largest religious monument, and a sunrise worth the early alarm.

Best time
November to February is cooler and dry, but busiest. March to May is very hot, so start early. In the rainy season, roughly June to October, the moat and pools are full and the crowds are lighter.
How long
Half a day (2–3 days for the wider Angkor park)
Getting there
Fly KL to Siem Reap, about 2 hours. The temple is about 6 km north of Siem Reap town, 15–20 minutes by tuk-tuk.
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KH · Siem Reapangkor wat13.41°N 103.87°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,The world's largest religious monument, and a sunrise worth the early alarm.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAngkor WatKH, Siem Reap
KLangkor wat
≈ 1,167 km from KL, as the crow flies
Angkor Wat, the front side of the main complex, photographed in the late afternoon

Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple to Vishnu and later turned Buddhist, Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world and the symbol on Cambodia's flag. A wide moat and outer wall surround galleries of carved bas-reliefs and five lotus-bud towers. Go once for sunrise, then come back for the carvings when the crowds thin.

Things to do

  1. Sunrise at the reflection poolsStand by the ponds in front of the west entrance to see the towers silhouetted at dawn.Map ↗
  2. The bas-relief galleriesHundreds of metres of carved stone, including the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.Map ↗
  3. The upper levelClimb the steep stairs to the central towers for views over the whole complex.Map ↗
  4. Angkor Thom and the BayonThe walled city next door, with the Bayon's giant stone faces.Map ↗
  5. Ta ProhmThe temple left to the jungle, with tree roots wrapped around its walls.Map ↗

Good to know

  • You need an Angkor pass from the official ticket centre or online. Sort it out before you head to the temple.
  • Cover shoulders and knees. It's checked at the stairs to the upper level, which also closes on some Buddhist holy days.
  • Angkor Wat faces west, so late afternoon light is good for photos of the front.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.