Catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is a must-do experience while in Siem Reap, and here is the ultimate guide to getting to the right place and getting yourself some awesome photos.
Angkor Wat opens at 5 am every day allowing people to experience the break of day as the sun rises from behind the temple’s five towers in a spectacle of red and golden hues. Experiencing the sunrise over Angkor Wat is one of the quintessential experiences of a trip to Cambodia.
Is it worth seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat?
100% yes, I think you’d forever feel like you’d missed something if you did not go and indeed that would be true. For sure, some days are better than others, but regardless if you already have the ticket it’s only a small effort to get up a little earlier for a lifetime memory.
Where is the best place to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat?
The most favoured spot for the classic photo that you’ll see all over the net is in front of the north pond. Although, there are many alternatives including the adjacent south pond, from the steps of the library, from inside the library (using the window as a frame), from the causeway, and even from the entry gopura.
It’s also worth noting the north pond is a little green with algae growth and currently has a fence around it during upgrade works which hopefully will come down soon.
For the first time visitor, here’s a detailed map highlighting the perfect sunrise spots inside Angkor Wat
What time is the sunrise?
As a rough guide, around 6.30 am Jan – Apr; 5.30 am between May-July; and around 6.00 am from Aug-Dec. You can check exactly via “Siem Reap sunrise time” via Google and I suggest being there at least 30 min before that to witness the actual break of day. For more comprehensive info see this page, which provides daily times for Astronomical Twilight, Nautical Twilight, Civil Twilight, and sunrise.
There are several light transitions as the sun makes its way above the temple which can take around 90 min or so, be sure not to walk away too quickly.
How long does it take to get to the sunrise spot at Angkor Wat?
Leaving from the city center of Siem Reap, it’s around a 20 min ride in a tuk-tuk which can drop you near the western entry and bridge. From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the first sunrise spot at the outer gopura and ten minutes to the north or south pond. Allow a total of 40 mins to be safe.
How to get the best photo?
I suggest reading these 15 sunrise photography tips from Anton Gorlin which apply perfectly to Angkor Wat regardless of your camera gear. It is also worthwhile to note, that no photo you’ve seen on the internet is straight out of the camera, most everything I have ever seen is heavily edited, so, don’t carry unrealistic expectations, the memory you have from actually experiencing it is worth much more.
That said, you can also apply your own filters later and even high-end mobiles offer pretty good features for that right out of the box.
The premium option is to take a tour with the pros and take home a piece of art via Angkor Photography Tours.
Is Angkor Wat better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise for sure. The temple itself closes at 5.30 pm so it’s not possible to get sunset photos from inside although, you can freely take photos from the edge of the outer moat on the eastern side which can be nice. Also, nearby is Phnom Bakheng which stays open till 7.00 pm and is a superb place for sunset photos.
When is the equinox sunrise over Angkor Wat?
The equinox refers to the moment at which the Sun is directly above the equator, and in quite an architectural feat, at that moment the sun perfectly aligns and rises directly up from behind the central tower. This occurs twice each year, usually around late March (Spring equinox) and late September (Autumnal equinox).
It’s a highly anticipated event and draws massive crowds. You’ll need to go early to snag a position at the entry gopura or along the causeway if you want that shot of the sun rising directly above the central tower.
What is the best season for sunrise photos at Angkor Wat?
As mentioned with the equinox, the sun rises directly over the temple in late March and again in late September with it the sun being offset either to the left prior to the equinox or to the right post-equinox. Cloud cover can block the sunrise on some days during the rainy season months of May until October (recently even until November), although, a touch of clouds can really help make the sunrise something special. After rainfall is another good time, also when there is lower humidity usually from January to April.
During the rainy season, usually from May to October, everything will be lush and green and the ponds will be full allowing for a nice reflection. The lotus flowers, if there are any, can often be seen blossoming during this time also.
The green lushness usually lasts until hot weather picks up in January and from there, things will start to dry out. That said, recently they have added irrigation sprinklers and pumps for the ponds so we may see all year round good conditions in that respect.
Do you need a ticket?
Yes. You will need an Angkor Pass to enter the area. The ticket is best purchased in advance, so in the morning, you can head straight to the temple site to secure the best position in time to catch the rising sun. See here for full details on the Angkor Ticket.
Where else can I see the sunrise at temple sites near Siem Reap?
- Phnom Bakheng – a 30 min walk to the top and you’ll have sunrise views and views over to Angkor Wat
- Srah Srang – the 10th-century baray (reservoir) located opposite Banteay Kdei Temple
- Phnom Krom – the mountain temple towards Tonle Sap
What are the other highlights I should see at Angkor Wat?
Exploring the bas-reliefs and architectural features is a must. See the full guide to visiting Angkor Wat where we cover all the key highlights including FAQ, Visiting Guide & Location, Highlights Map, Etymology, History, Inscriptions, Construction, Architecture, Style, Features, Restoration and Conservation, New Discoveries, Secrets and Mysteries