Things to Do at Angkor Wat
Complete Guide to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap
About Angkor Wat
What to See & Do
Central Towers and Sanctuary
The five lotus-bud towers rise 65 meters above the jungle. The central tower requires a steep staircase climb with a capacity limit of 100 people - queue early or visit after 3:00 PM when it empties. The view from the top spans across the entire temple complex to the surrounding forest. Remove shoes and hats before entering
Gallery of Bas-Reliefs
800 meters of continuous stone carvings on the first-level walls - the longest bas-relief in the world. The Churning of the Ocean of Milk (east gallery, south section) is the masterpiece: 92 asuras and 88 devas pulling a serpent around Mount Mandara. Go clockwise to hit the east galleries first when morning light illuminates the detail
Reflection Pools
Two rectangular pools flanking the main causeway, northwest of the entrance. The left pool is the sunrise photography spot - arrive by 5:15 AM and position yourself at the left edge for the classic reflection shot with all five towers mirrored in the water. The shot only works if the pool has water (dry season sometimes empties them)
Library Buildings
Four sandstone library buildings at the corners of the first level, often walked past without a glance. Step inside and look up - the carved stone ceilings have rosette patterns and lotus motifs that are some of the finest decorative work in the complex. The northwest library has the best-preserved ceiling
Causeway Entrance
The 190-meter sandstone causeway flanked by naga (serpent) balustrades. Walking it at sunrise with the temple emerging from darkness ahead is the definitive Angkor Wat experience. The naga heads at the entrance are original 12th-century carvings. Pause at the halfway point to frame the temple through the gopura gateway
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Daily 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM (temple grounds open earlier for sunrise viewing)
Tickets & Pricing
1-day pass $37, 3-day pass $62, 7-day pass $72. Purchase at the official ticket booth with photo ID required. Cash or card accepted.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning (5:30-8:00 AM) for sunrise and fewer crowds, or late afternoon (4:00-6:00 PM) for golden light. Dry season (November-March) offers the most comfortable weather.
Suggested Duration
Allow 3-4 hours minimum for a thorough visit, though you could easily spend a full day exploring every corner.
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
The last capital of the Khmer Empire, featuring the famous Bayon temple with its smiling stone faces - just 10 minutes north of Angkor Wat.
The 'Tomb Raider temple' where massive tree roots have grown through the ruins, creating one of the most photogenic spots in the entire complex.
Known as the 'Lady Temple' for its intricate pink sandstone carvings - smaller but incredibly detailed, about 25 kilometers northeast.
A hilltop temple that's popular for sunset views over Angkor Wat, though it gets quite crowded and limits visitor numbers.
A sprawling temple complex that feels more like exploring ruins in the jungle, with fewer crowds and some genuinely atmospheric corridors.