Tips to Visit Angkor Temples

Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world and is both a popular tourist destination and a Buddhist pilgrimage site. The temple complex is made up of temples that are mostly in ruins, but still demonstrate the magnitude of their past.

Today, our local experts have put together a few tips for your visit and will help you plan your trip according to your wishes. In the meantime, here are a few things to make sure you do while you’re here:

Getting up early is worth it

The temple area opens its gates at sunrise and offers you the opportunity to enjoy the first rays of sunshine over the temple and immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of Angkor Wat.

However, take a flashlight with you, because inside the temple it is mostly dark in the morning, and so you have the opportunity to examine the ruins in a very adventurous way with little light.

If you don’t mind the crowds, it pays to admire the sunrise by the water lily pond. This is where the temple is reflected in the water and is a popular photo opportunity. With a direct look at the temples, you can watch the sky magically change color around the temples. But be warned, because it is not that romantic between the tourist crowds, in the competition for the best photo.

Plan your route

Since Angkor Wat is one of the most famous and popular travel destinations in Asia and is visited by hundreds of tourists and pilgrims every day, it makes sense to visit certain temples at certain times. Many tour groups visit the Bayon Temple in the morning and Angkor Wat in the afternoon. If you are flexible in terms of time, you should do it the other way around to avoid the crowds.

Tour the libraries

The Angkor Wat libraries are located next to the cross gallery. These are ancillary buildings that can be reached through the steep stairs of the main building. Due to the hidden space, only a few get lost here, and you have the peace of mind to explore the buildings at your own pace.

Take your time

The area of ​​Angkor Wat is huge and one day is rarely enough for the discovery tour. If you are not very flexible in terms of time, let’s take a bicycle and cycle through the area. It will give you a different perspective on Angkor off-track. If you do it but you want to tackle it and time is not a determining factor, you can explore alongside the mighty temples, the small alleys, ponds, and forests of Angkor Wat.

Clothing

Angkor Wat is not only a tourist destination but also a spiritual pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt the clothes. Cover your knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you could be denied entry.