Temples & religious sites
Angkor Wat
About Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest temple complex of the former Khmer Empire, built in the early 12th century under Suryavarman II. It began as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and later incorporated Buddhist elements, and both traditions remain visible in its carvings and shrines today. Visitors come for the scale of the structure itself — the moat, the causeway, the central towers — and for the extensive bas-relief galleries depicting Hindu epics and historical scenes.
Getting there
Angkor Wat sits a few kilometres north of central Siem Reap. A tuk-tuk or car from the town centre takes roughly 15-20 minutes. Most visitors buy a multi-day Angkor pass and hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day, since the temple is one stop within the larger Angkor Archaeological Park.
How much time to allow
Plan on at least two to three hours to walk the outer galleries, climb to the upper level, and take in the courtyards. If you want to study the bas-reliefs in detail or photograph the towers from different angles, allow closer to half a day.
When to go
Sunrise is the busiest time, with large crowds gathering at the reflecting pools facing the west entrance. Midday brings strong heat and less favorable light. Late afternoon tends to be quieter and cooler for walking the galleries, though the classic silhouette shots are a sunrise-only opportunity. The rainy season (roughly May to October) brings short, heavy showers but greener surroundings and fewer visitors overall.
Combine it with
- Yasodharapura (0km) — the ancient city site surrounding the temple, worth pairing with the same visit.
- Ta Prohm Kel (0.9km) — a small satellite temple close enough to add on without much extra travel time.
- Baksei Chamkrong (1.7km) and Phnom Bakheng (1.7km) — both a short ride away; Phnom Bakheng is often visited for hilltop sunset views over the Angkor area.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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