Visit Angkor Wat
Still to do
Watch the sun rise behind the five lotus towers of Angkor Wat, then lose yourself in jungle temples strangled by roots.
The adventure
You arrive in the dark, torch in hand, and find a spot by the reflecting pool. Slowly the five towers of Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century for King Suryavarman II, appear as silhouettes against a sky turning pink, then gold. Inside, the galleries are lined with hundreds of metres of bas-reliefs: armies on the march, heavens and hells, and gods and demons churning an ocean of milk.
Then the wider complex opens up. At the Bayon, more than 200 serene stone faces gaze down from its towers. At Ta Prohm, silk-cotton and strangler fig roots have prised the walls apart, much as they were when Tomb Raider was filmed there. Further out, the pink sandstone of Banteay Srei is carved as finely as lace. With temples scattered across the forest, every corner feels like a discovery.
Why it’s epic
- Angkor Wat is so central to national identity that it appears on Cambodia's flag.
- Hundreds of metres of bas-reliefs, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
- The Bayon's 200-plus giant stone faces and the tree-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm.
- The Angkor Archaeological Park covers more than 400 square kilometres and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
What it is
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, part of a vast complex of Khmer temples built between the 9th and 15th centuries.
How to do it
Base yourself in Siem Reap and buy a one, three or seven-day Angkor Pass. Explore by tuk-tuk or bicycle, including Bayon and Ta Prohm.
Top tip
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is popular for a reason, but go to the quieter temples straight after.
Need to know
- An Angkor Pass is needed for all the main temples, sold for one, three or seven days from the official ticket office or online.
- Shoulders and knees must be covered, and Angkor Wat's steep upper level has a stricter dress code.
- November to March is dry and cooler; April and May are fiercely hot.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
- Best time to go
- November to March
- Fly into
- SAI airport
Long-haul flights are the main cost; hotels, guides and tuk-tuks in Siem Reap are good value.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1Fly into Siem Reap; Angkor Wat at sunset from Phnom Bakheng
- Day 2Angkor Wat at sunrise, then the faces of the Bayon and Ta Prohm's jungle roots
- Day 3The outer temples, Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea, then Pub Street in the evening
Make it happen
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Why it’s on my list
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