Angkor Wat sunrise planner
The park opens at 5am and the north pond fills up first. Pick a date to get the real sunrise time and a departure plan.
Sunrise (calculated) Sunset (calculated) --:--
Angkor Enterprise checkpoint opens 05:00
Arrive at the temple by Arrive at Phnom Bakheng by --:--
Leave your hotel by --:--
Wait before sunrise Queueing time (300-person quota) -- min
Around the equinoxes (mid-March and late September) the sun rises directly behind Angkor Wat's central towers — the classic aligned photo, weather permitting.
Allow about 20 minutes by tuk-tuk from central Siem Reap to Angkor Wat.
Buy your Angkor Pass the day before or online with Angkor Enterprise — ticket counters only open at 5:00 AM, too late if you're queuing for sunrise.
North reflecting pool (Angkor Wat)
- Crowd level
- Very high — arrive right at gate opening (5:00 AM) to get a front-row spot.
- What you'll see
- The classic postcard shot: the five towers of Angkor Wat mirrored in the pool as the sky turns orange behind them.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want THE photo, and don't mind sharing it with a few hundred people.
South reflecting pool (Angkor Wat)
- Crowd level
- High, but noticeably calmer than the north pool.
- What you'll see
- A very similar reflection of the towers, just from the other side of the causeway.
- Best for
- Travelers who want the classic view with a bit more breathing room.
Srah Srang
- Crowd level
- Very low — most visitors don't even know it exists.
- What you'll see
- Sunrise over a vast ancient reservoir, with egrets and fishermen instead of temple towers.
- Best for
- Photographers and anyone who prefers a peaceful, uncrowded sunrise over a postcard shot.
Phnom Bakheng (sunset hill)
This is a sunset viewpoint, not sunrise — access is capped at 300 visitors per session.
- Crowd level
- Capped at 300 visitors per session — arrive early to secure a ticket.
- What you'll see
- A panoramic view over the jungle canopy and Angkor Wat's silhouette from the hilltop temple.
- Best for
- The end of the day, not the start — pair it with any temple circuit.
Pre Rup
- Crowd level
- Low to moderate — a well-kept secret among sunrise spots.
- What you'll see
- Sunrise from a brick temple-mountain, with wide views over the surrounding plain instead of a reflecting pool.
- Best for
- Repeat visitors and anyone who's already seen the Angkor Wat sunrise.