Below is a complete guide to the ancient city of Angkor Wat, providing you with everything you need to know to travel to the ancient city.
Angkor Wat is one of the most renowned historical sites in the world.
You’ve no doubt seen it before. Look up any list of the world’s best historical places and Angkor Wat is on there. Its picturesque ruins often appear on postcards, instagram, travel commercials; it’s even on Cambodia’s national flag!
This UNESCO World Heritage site, which was once the former capital of an empire that ruled over South-East Asia, holds the Guiness world record for the largest religious structure in the world, and sees over 2 million visitors every year.
Whether you’re a history buff or not, visiting the incredible ruins of Angkor Wat should be on your travel bucket list.
While the entire ancient city is commonly referred to as ‘Angkor Wat’, the ‘Wat’ is just the amazing temple that’s on the flag. The area around the temple was once the home of multiple smaller capital cities of the Khmer Empire that eventually merged into one massive metropolitan area. The site as a whole is called Angkor (or the Angkor Archeological Park), and that’s what this guide is about.
This ancient city was once the largest in the world by land area, and what remains are countless large and well preserved sites. You can spend days exploring the remains of this sprawling metropolis.
The archeological complex is massive, and there are a bunch of important things you need to know before you visit. In this guide to Angkor Wat, I’ve provided you with everything you need to know to visit South-East Asia’s most famous historical site.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Angkor Wat
Origins
Before the ‘Angkor’ period, South-east Asia was made up of a series of small kingdoms, and was culturally Indianised (writing in Sanskrit and practising Hinduism).
This would all change with the founding of the Khmer Empire, which is all centred around one man: Jayavarman II. One of South-east Asia’s most important historical figures, Jayavarman led the independence of Cambodia from Java, and went on to conquer multiple neighbouring kingdoms.
With his massive empire now ruling over almost all of mainland South-East Asia, he would declare himself a ‘god-king’, and built numerous temples & settlements that laid the foundation of Angkor.
In the late 9th century, with the unrivalled new empire experiencing new heights of wealth & prosperity, one of Jayavarman’s successors formally established the city of Yasodharapura (the Sanskrit name for what we now call Angkor).
Peak
The city of Angkor experienced its peak between 900 and 1200 CE, during which it produced some of the most impressive examples of architecture in the world, including the famous Angkor Wat.
By land area it was the largest city ever built up until the more modern cities of the industrial era. Its exact population is a topic of debate, but it was likely in the range of 750,000 to 1 million. To put that in perspective, ancient Rome at its peak had a population of around 1 million.
Because the population was spread out over such a large area (larger than modern-day Paris), it had a very low density. So, despite its population matching ancient Rome, it would have looked very different. Its infrastructure, roads and canals were spread out over roughly 1000-square kilometres.
During its peak, the rulers of Angkor were prolific builders, and over the course of its history the city used more stone than all Egyptian structures combined. The amazing temples that remain today were each commissioned and paid for by one of the Khmer Empire’s rulers.
In addition to massive temples like Angkor Wat, the city was also known for its advanced irrigation system. Its system of canals and water collection systems led to it being dubbed the ’hydraulic city’ and supported its massive population.
During the late 12th century, Jayavarman VII ascended to the throne, and during his reign he would convert to Buddhism and drag the rest of the empire with him. Because of this, most of the temples at Angkor would be altered, with much of the artwork being changed to be Buddhist instead of Hindu.
Decline
Angkor’s wealth and power began to decline in the 13th century. Some say this was because the sudden changing of the state religion to Buddhism eroded the social and cultural foundations that the empire was built upon.
The decline of the Khmer Empire coincided with the rise of the Siamese (Thai) Kingdoms, which were entering their golden era. By 1351 Angkor fell under the suzerainty of Ayutthaya, the precursor kingdom to modern-day Thailand (and another amazing ancient city you can visit).
By 1431 they rebelled against their suzerain, leading to the city being destroyed in retaliation, and causing the remaining population to settle elsewhere, signalling the end of the legendary city of Angkor. The incredible structures that made up the city would be virtually abandoned after this, with the exception of Angkor Wat.
Today
What remains of Angkor after all these centuries are the stone temples. The city once had countless smaller buildings, but these were made out of wood and other weak materials. The temples on the other hand, being considered the most important buildings, were built to last, and made out of stone.
The ruins of Angkor remained covered in jungle up until the late 19th century, before some European archeologists began the long process of restoring them.
The endeavour would go on for decades, and was supported by nations from around the world, with trees being cleared, canals being re-dugged, and stones being meticulously re-assembled.
In 1992 it was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is now among the most visited tourist sites in Asia.
Best time to visit Angkor Wat
Best time of year
Cambodia’s climate is tropical, and so experiences intense heat, humidity and rainy seasons.
You can visit Angkor Wat all year round, but the best time to visit is between November and February. This way you’re avoiding the worst of the heat, and have the least chance of rain.
This is unsurprisingly the ‘on’ season, and sees the most tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, you could visit between June and October. You can still have a great experience at this time of year, just be prepared for more heat and the higher possibility of rainfall.
Best time of day
As for the time of day, the ruins are open from 5am to 6pm daily.
A popular experience for many visitors is to arrive at 5am on the dot to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat (as in, the main temple at Angkor). In addition to enjoying an amazing sunrise, you’ll also get to see a good chunk of the complex before the heat and crowds arrive.
Where to Stay
The popular tourist town of Siem Reap is located right next to Angkor Wat, and is where most travellers make their base while visiting the ancient city. The town is a lively backpacker hotspot, with plenty of places to stay, and plenty of things to do when not visiting Angkor Wat.
In Siem Reap you’ll find no shortage of accommodation. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and lively backpacker hotel, a quiet guesthouse or a luxury resort, you’ll find it.
If you’re looking for a hostel, I’d recommend Onderz Siem Reap, it’s a modern but reasonably priced hostel with 2 pools, a restaurant and a lively atmosphere.
To explore more hostels in Siem Reap, checkout Hostelworld.
For a broader range of accommodation types I’d recommend booking.com.
Getting Around Angkor Wat
The Angkor archeological complex is located about 5km north of the popular tourist town of Siem Reap.
The Angkor complex is HUGE, so in addition to transportation to the site, you’ll also need transportation within the site. Because of this it’s best to arrange transportation for the entire day.
The most convenient transport option is hiring a tuk tuk. For around $20 – $30 USD (depending on your haggling skills), a driver will pick you up from your hotel, drive you around the Angkor complex, wait for you as you explore each site, and drive you back to your accommodation when you’re done.
Finding a tuk tuk driver is easy. Angkor Wat is the main tourist attraction in Siem Reap, so almost any driver you speak to will be willing to negotiate a price with you, and the reception at your hotel should be able to arrange one for you too.
Just keep in mind, you can’t go directly to the complex. First you need to purchase your ticket office, which is located in Siem Reap. More on that next.
Angkor Wat Entry Ticket
Where to buy
Tickets for Angkor Wat must be purchased from the Angkor Enterprises ticket office, which is located in the town of Siem Reap. You cannot purchase tickets at the ancient city itself.
You must purchase your Angkor Wat entry ticket BEFORE you visit. You cannot purchase tickets at the ancient city itself.
During my visit in 2022, tickets could only be purchased in person from the Angkor Enterprises ticket office, which is located in the town of Siem Reap.
If you’re going to purchase your Angkor Wat ticket here, I’d highly recommend you do so the day before your visit, or else you may find yourself waiting in a long line early in the morning. Not a great way to start the day.
These days however, you can skip the Angkor Enterprises office and purchase Angkor Wat entry ticket online instead.
Price
At the time of writing, the ticket prices are as follows:
- 1 Day – $36 USD
- 2 Days – $62 USD
- 7 Days – $72 USD
While one day is enough to visit all the highlights, the Angkor complex is huge and at least 2 days are needed to see everything it has to offer.
These prices are open to change, but you can easily check them on the Angkor Enterprise website here.
The prices may seem steep compared to other archeological sites in Asia, but keep in mind that the Angkor ruins are massive, with a lot to see, and a lot of effort goes into preserving them. In other words, you’re getting good value and your money is being put to good use.
Angkor Wat Tours
Even if you’re an independent traveller, a tour can be the most convenient and enjoyable way of visiting the Angkor Archaeological site. With a tour, you can forget the transportation and ticket information I just mentioned, as this will all be arranged for you.
Another benefit of a tour, for those keen to learn all about the history of Angkor Wat, is the professional guide who’s able to teach you about each site you visit and answer any questions you have about it.
You can easily book a tour online at Get Your Guide.
Things to see
What remains of Angkor today are the roughly 1000 stone temples, of various sizes and significance. In its hey-day, it was a thriving metropolis and would have had countless buildings made predominantly from wood and other materials that deteriorate. The temples were considered the most important structures, and, like in many ancient cities, were built to last, which is why what remains today is mostly just these places of worship.
Because of the immense size of the city, and the huge role religion played in its society, there are a lot of ruins to see. Even if you have the 2-day pass, you’ll still struggle to fit in everything.
So here I’ve narrowed it down to the absolute best places to see at Angkor.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the main attraction. The world’s largest religious structure is on Cambodia’s national flag, and its name has become synonymous with the ancient city itself. That fame is well earned.
This amazing piece of Khmer architecture was constructed in the 12th century, and took 28 years to build. The temple was originally Hindu, dedicated to the deity Vishnu, but this was only a few decades before Buddhism really began to take off in the Khmer Empire and it wasn’t long before Angkor Wat began to transform. Over time, many of the Hindu sculptures and reliefs were changed to be Buddhist.
The temple is easily the highlight of the Angkor archeological complex, and is remarkably well maintained. You’re free to explore the temple grounds, and can even climb a steep staircase and enter the interior, which overlooks the site and holds some of its most impressive sculptures.
Bayon Temple
Another one of the most popular sites at Angkor is the Bayon Temple.
It was built in the early 13th century, after the Khmer Empire had converted to Buddhism, as such it is one of the few temples at Angkor that was actually built as Buddhist, as opposed to being a converted Hindu temple. It was commissioned by King Jayavarman VII, the first Khmer ruler to convert to Buddhism.
This majestic 3-story temple is most renowned for its relief sculptures of the Buddha’s smiling face. The reliefs, some of which are massive, jut out from the sides of the temple’s upper terrace, and are said to have been modelled on the face of Jayavarman VII.
Bakheng Temple
When the city of Yasodharapura (Angkor Thom) was founded in the 9th century, one of the first structures built was Bakheng Temple.
Situated on a hilltop that now overlooks the rest of the complex, it was from this temple that the new capital was founded, and for the next 200 years (until Angkor Wat was built) it was the premier temple in the region. Like all the early temples at Angkor, it was originally built as Hindu before later being converted to Buddhist.
Bakheng Temple is renowned for its sunsets on one side, and it’s amazing views of Angkor Wat on the other.
Baphuon Temple
The Baphuon temple is a massive 2-tiered pyramid-like temple constructed in the 11th-century, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva before being transformed into a Buddhist temple in the 15th century.
The ground beneath the temple is mostly sand, so over the centuries the massive temple largely collapsed, but thanks to an extremely ambitious restoration, which took place over 50 years, a team of archeologists returned this pile of rubble back into its former glory.
Banteay Srei Temple
Situated away from the main Angkor complex, about 20km north of Angkor Wat, is one of the site’s oldest ruins.
Built in the 10th century, this unique Hindu temple stands out from the rest, not just for its location, but also for being built out of red sandstone, and for its scale seeming almost miniature compared to the other grand temples. It’s also the only temple at Angkor not commissioned by a monarch, and one of the few Hindu temples not transformed to Buddhism.
Its beautiful rock-carved artwork and uniqueness makes the extra distance worth covering.
Despite being so far away from the main group of ruins, it was once part of the great city, which gives you some indication of how large it was.
Ta Prohm Temple
Never will you find an ancient ruin that has better ‘lost city’ vibes than Ta Prohm.
Built in the latter half of the 12th century, after the Khmer Empire was converted from Hinduism, Ta Prohm was a Buddhist monastery. It was a place of learning for thousands of people.
Now, the monastery is gradually being overtaken by nature, with the massive silk cotton trees and vines swallowing and merging with the stone structures. The ruin’s battle with nature is so picturesque that part of the 2001 Tomb Raider film was shot here, which has only made it more popular among tourists.
Tips for visiting Angkor Wat
Dress Code
Angkor Wat and the other temples in the complex have not lost their religious significance over the years, and are still considered holy sites. Because of this, it’s expected that you wear appropriate clothing when entering certain areas. For both ladies and gentlemen, this means covering the knees and shoulders.
Footwear
Even though you may be chauffeured between each set of ruins by a tuk tuk driver, you’re still going to be doing a lot of walking, so make sure you’re prepared for this when it comes to your choice of shoes.
Bring water
Cambodia is HOT, and you’re going to be spending a lot of time walking around outdoors, so make sure you bring water. While you can buy bottled water at vendors throughout the complex, you’re better off investing in a water purification bottle, like a Lifestraw, which allows you to drink water from anywhere.
Food
There are some food stalls within the archeological complex, such as near the main Angkor Wat temple, but I’d still recommend bringing snacks as the food prices are much higher than outside the complex.
