Beep beep beep screamed the alarm.
Yikes! 4:30 a.m. on vacation. What in the world was I thinking! Well, I wasn’t really “thinking” per se; I simply didn’t want to experience FOMO. That is Fear Of Missing Out, and I knew if I were in Cambodia and didn’t try to see the sunrise over the temple of Angkor Wat, like so many photos I had seen and stories I had heard, I would be disappointed in not trying.
Our tuk-tuk was waiting for us, and off we went. The streets were quiet as we hustled along the Siem Reap roads, and we soaked in the beautiful silence. We were dropped off at the temple entrance in pitch-black darkness and made our way along the path leading to the lagoon. We followed the path, surrounded by groups of people walking in peaceful silence. I had heard it was best to get there early to get a spot right in front of the lagoon.
Despite waking up at 4:30 a.m., we were not the first ones there. We were probably the last ones to arrive. Crowds of tourists lined the lagoon, probably four rows deep. How in the world would my 11-year-old daughter be able to see anything? We made our way to one side and slithered our way between some people who kindly let Riley stand in front of them as she was so small. It wasn’t the best angle to take that “perfect photo,” but we were there.
By now, at least an hour had gone by, and the sky was still dark. You could faintly make out the outline of Angkor Wat in the distance. Then, ever so slowly, the sun began to rise, and there stood the breathtaking Angkor Wat temple I had seen in so many photos. It was a bit cloudy, so it wasn’t the “most gorgeous sunrise ever,” but witnessing the Angkor Wat temple rise out of the darkness is a breathtaking sight to see.
While everyone snapped their photos of the temple and waited for their tour groups to enter, Riley and I quickly hustled in ahead of all the crowds. Was waking up early to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat worth it? Probably not. But to be one of the first ones into the temple to explore surely made up for it.
A few days later, I returned to this temple with my son. We visited it in the early afternoon versus the early morning like I had with my daughter. And you know what – it still was just as spectacular. There will be crowds whenever you choose to go. But you can always find areas within the temples that are less explored and can find solitude if searching.
Should you Visit?
Whether you visit in the morning hours or throughout the day, no trip to Siem Reap is complete unless you visit Angkor Wat. So pick the time that works best for you and go explore this magnificent site. Designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. It is also said to be the largest religious monument in the world. Originally built in the 12th century as a Hindu Temple, it was considered a Buddist site by the end of the century. It served as the capital of the Khmer Empire for many centuries and today is one of the most famous temples remaining.
How to Get Tickets
If you plan to go at sunrise, try to get your tickets the day before. Besides not having to stress about getting tickets the morning of, if you buy tickets after 5 p.m., you also have access to the temples that evening prior. Win-Win! You can purchase tickets at the official ticket center, located 4km from Siem Reap. You will need to buy tickets the day of, or if purchased after 5 p.m., you will have access for the following day. Children under 12 years old do not need to buy a ticket, but please bring their passports along when visiting the temples.
How to Get There
The Gates open at 5 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes via tuk-tuk to get to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap town. If you plan to visit at sunrise, I would advise hiring a tuk-tuk driver the night before – again, one less stress for that early morning start.
Best Viewing Spot to see the Sunrise
There are two reflecting pools when you enter the gates. As it was so dark, we just followed the crowds, or we would have been clueless where to go. The reflection pool on the left has the best vantage point of seeing the sunrise. This location also allows for the most asymmetrical photos of Angkor Wat. As I mentioned, it was packed, but we stood off a bit to the far left side of the lagoon, where the crowds were a bit less.
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If you have a severe case of FOMO or just want to experience that moment of seeing Angkor Wat rise out of the darkness, then go in the early morning. However, bring heaps of patience and maybe a couple of cups of coffee with you! It will be spectacular, whether it’s cloudy or filled with a stunning sunrise. But if the early morning wake-up is not your thing, then go when suits you best. There will be crowds of people whenever you choose to go, and if you don’t need to snap that photo of the sun rising over Angkor Wat, then go when it works best for your schedule.
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