The temple complex of Angkor Wat has become a symbol synonymous with Cambodia. If you’re traveling to Cambodia, Angkor Wat is presumably the reason why, and more than 50% of international tourists visit the country each year to explore the ancient ruins!
From the Bro’s perspective, curbing your expectations can greatly enhance your experience when visiting world-renowned heritage sites. Having such high expectations, unfortunately, may lead to being let down. Enjoying a place for what it is and even educating yourself with a little pre-trip history lesson won’t hurt either. We’ve learned, perhaps it’s best not to just visit a certain attraction to get a photo, or to solely say you’ve been there. You should truly have a deep desire to explore a place with open eyes and an open heart before you arrive. This may richen your experience and avoid disappointment. Try to remember how the saying goes, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
If you’re on the fence about visiting Cambodia, it’s worth mentioning, it’s budget-friendly. It has a rich history, remote beaches, nature, jungles, and a lively party scene. But that’s another post for another day. If you are already on a Southeast Asia adventure, gap year, or backpacking the region and find yourself in close proximity to the capital city of Phnom Penh, it’s worth checking out. Cambodia is on many bucket lists for good reason and you won’t be disappointed. Yep, we got it, Cambodia seems pretty chill, but is the sunrise at Angkor Wat worth it?
Witnessing the sunrise at the largest religious monument in the world can be a calming and even spiritual experience. It inspires and amazes you. You’ll be charged to explore human history and the lost city of Angkor, standing right before you. There is something magical about watching the sun sneak up over the temples, deep in the Cambodian jungle at an ungodly early hour. It’s a show not many people you will meet in your lifetime will be lucky enough to see. So we say GO! Go for the full meal deal and see the sunrise. You’ll quickly discover why Angkor Wat is the pride of the country and featured on the Cambodian flag.
But what about the crowds?! Yes, there are people there competing for the best spot to take a photo. When you’re staring in awe at the ancient ruins, who cares about the people. Claim a spot, and just soak in the wonder. Even amongst the crowds, you’ll be in your own zone thinking, how lucky am I to be here and witness this. You won’t even be paying attention to the herds of tourists around you.
Yes, there are peddlers who will hassle you for tours. Surely, you will be asked if you want to buy breakfast multiple times. Certainly, there will be locals trying to sell you souvenirs. But none of that will matter when you realize what’s in front of you. After all, it is the most popular attraction in the country. You’re in Southeast Asia, so this is nothing you haven’t seen before. It’s hard to describe the feeling when your eyes need to re-adjust as to what is occurring in front of you.
If you aren’t sold yet, the temple gates open at 5 am, and witnessing the sunrise at Angkor Wat gives you a head start on the masses. You can even work backward on visiting the less popular temples first to avoid the crowds. This will help you get the most out of your $62 day pass. You’ll want to book the ticket and your tuk-tuk driver the day prior so you’re not late for the show! Temple ruins have a way of igniting the inner archaeologist in all of us and you may even want to stay for sunset. It’s a jam-packed day and you won’t soon forget about wandering the sprawling, carved ruins of a once-great civilization.
A few helpful Bro tips to a successful sunrise at Angkor Wat include avoiding Pub Street at all costs the night before. You’ll be very tired, a bit hungry, and moving quickly so you want to have high energy and be ready to rock. Weather can also be a little chilly when you wake up before 4 am so a morning layer is key. Packing lunch also helps so you can eat at your convenience. Scaling ancient ruins in the sun expends a lot of energy out of you. It may even get a little repetitive. You’ll be hungry and tired before you know it. Temple fatigue set in at around 3 pm for us, but we were more than content with our visit. We attempted to stay for the sunset but threw in the towel late in the afternoon. The countless temple steps caught up to us.
Experiencing the sunrise at Angkor Wat is certainly worth it if you’re already traveling in Cambodia or Southeast Asia. Yes, The crowds make it a bit unpleasant at times, but you’ve got 402 acres to get lost on. There is certainly no place like the ruins of Angkor. Constructed in the 12th century, it’s a World Heritage site for a reason, and witnessing a sunrise here is the icing on the cake.
Looking for those remote beaches of Cambodia? How about traveling off the grid to the secluded paradise island of Koh Rong Sanloem? Check out the post below!
READY TO VISIT ANGKOR WAT IN CAMBODIA?
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