The temples of Angkor, more commonly referred to as Angkor Wat, are the number one destination for tourists visiting Cambodia. No trip to this Southeast Asian country is complete without exploring the ancient temple complex.
In reality, Angkor Wat (Wat means temple) refers to a single temple in the center of the ancient Khmer empire. Naturally so, it is the biggest and most majestic stack of stones in the area. But there is more to the temples of Angkor than the flagship temple. And before you go, there is more to know.
Here are 11 things you need to know for your visit to the Temples of Angkor:
Contents
1. How to get to Siem Reap
Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor, is the third largest city in Cambodia and just a few miles away. If you have no intention of visiting anywhere else in the country, you can fly in to Siem Reap. This would surely be the easiest option, but not necessarily the cheapest.
If you are traveling through Cambodia (this is what you should be doing) you can take a minibus nearly anywhere for just a few dollars – US Dollars are accepted, and often preferred, in Cambodia, so bring your greenbacks!
Getting to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh:
There are several minibuses departing throughout the day from various points. They are all more or less the same – bumpy, crowded and lacking in luxury. If you are looking for luxury, go back to the Four Seasons. The minibus is the best way to go. It is cheap – about $10-12 per person – for a 6-8 hour ride. It stops a few times and you can see the Cambodian countryside along the way.
Getting to Siem Reap from Battambang:
The minibus from Battambang takes a few hours to go a short distance. It should not cost you more than $8 per person. This is a good option for many people, as a stop in Battambang gives you a chance to see another city and explore a less-crowded, nearly tourist-free Cambodian city. It is worth a day or two to explore the area.
There is also a ferry from Battambang. However, it is considerably more expensive (more than $25pp), slower and unreliable. In theory, it operates when the river is high enough, but this is not always the case. Don’t count on it.
Do not take the night bus. While you may be riding in fear on Cambodian roads at any time of day, the night buses do not have the best record for safety lately. It is not worth trying to save a few bucks on accomodation to risk your safety.
2. How much does a visit to the Temples of Angkor cost?
Ticket prices to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park have risen in recent years. A few years ago, you could visit for about $20. However, prices are rising! Currently, foreigners can expect to pay $37 for a single day pass or $62 for three-day entry. Yes, it seems like a budget-buster for many backpackers, but this is a must-see for any visit to Cambodia. Budget accordingly before you plan the trip! Choose the three-day option. You cannot see it all in a single day and even if you only visit for two days, it will save you money.
Bring your passport to buy your tickets. This is not a tip. It is a requirement for ticket sales.
A tuk tuk (think motorcycle chariot without the glamour) is the best mode of transportation to visit the temples. Siem Reap is too far from the temples of Angkor to reach by foot, and forget about public transportation. Your tuk tuk driver will take you to buy your tickets (they are only sold at a single off-site location), and then drive you to each site.
Again, the complex is enormous. No, you cannot possibly walk. At times, there are miles between sites. You will get plenty of exercise walking around and climbing on the ruins.
Your tuk tuk should cost you $15-20 per day. This is the total price, not per person. So if you have 2-3 people in your party, well, I seriously hope you can do the math. Again, it might seem like this visit is getting expensive. It does add up, but this is a necessary evil of the visit and will make it considerably easier on you. Look at it this way, most of the money from your ticket is likely lining political pockets, so you are helping to support the local economy more when you hire a tuk tuk.
3. How Long Does it Take to Visit Angkor?
If you are in a time crunch, you can see a few main sights in a single day. However, as mentioned above, to adequately (not even thoroughly!) see the Angkor Wat and tour the other temples of Angkor, you need to allot at least two days for exploring. The area is massive and it just takes some time. If you have a third day, you should take advantage and see what you missed or go back to see your favorites again.
Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit, so take this into consideration. See more below.
4. Eating at Angkor Wat
First, eat breakfast and bring a snack. But once you have arrived, a day exploring ancient ruins in the Southeast Asian heat will work up an appetite. There are places for snacks and drinks everywhere, but when you need something more substantial, try the tents near the parking area before the entrance to Angkor Wat (remember, Angkor Wat is a single site, not the whole place). These are cheaper and quicker than those right next to Angkor Wat. For $2-3 you can have a massive plate of super fresh deliciousness in front of you, fueling your exploration for the day. If you don’t know what to order, just ask your driver.
Oh, and beware of the spicy! In case of intense heat, order a beer. This is always a good idea.
5. Sunrise at Angkor Wat – The Truth
As mentioned above, sunrise is a popular time to visit the temples of Angkor. A quick google search of Angkor Wat will surely yield some breathtaking photos of a majestic sunrise looming behind the ancient architectural masterpiece. Don’t kid yourself, we all want that photo for ourselves.
Your tuk tuk driver will likely recommend you wake up and go for sunrise – and you should! The scene is certainly a peaceful and beautiful one.
However, the reality of the situation is that, despite the fact that you woke up at 4 AM, you will not find a serene scene to yourself. You will be accompanied by thousands, yes thousands, of other tourists and wannabe National Geographic photographers. There will be tripods set up everywhere, people toting thousands of dollars worth of equipment and no shortage of local vendors either. Your romanticized scene of waking up with Angkor Wat is just that – romanticized.
This is not to say you should avoid arriving before sunrise. You can still manage to snap a few pics that will surely have your Instagram followers reeling over the mysticism and whatever bullshit Thoreau quote you choose. Just know beforehand, the reality of sunrise at Angkor Wat is not what we have been led to believe.
The best part about arriving before sunrise to the complex is avoiding the masses. I know. I just said that there will be thousands of others there already. But they will mostly be behind their lenses and tripods. Your advantage lies in being one of the first people inside the temple when the gates open.
Snap a couple pics of the pre-dawn glow, then head over to the gate. As soon as the gate opens, scurry up and get a couple photos of the front without people. Then go inside and explore. For the first 30-60 minutes, there will be relatively few people inside to spoil your exploring (and your photos). If you wish, queue up in the center to climb to the top before the line extends to outrageous lengths.
Another advantage of your early arrival is reaching the other temples before the hordes of tour buses arrive. So don’t waste too much time seeing Angkor Wat, maybe an hour after sunrise, then quickly head to the other temples to make the most of your exploring.
7. Go Backwards!
Most tuk tuks, guides and groups take the same route through the temple complex. It is basically a loop. The result is that you arrive at each area with loads of other people. When your driver suggests a plan, ask if you can go backwards and see the last one first.
Specifically, the “Tomb Raider Temple” as it is known from its feature in said film, will be so annoyingly crowded that you have to wait in lines to take pictures of certain corners, walls and trees. Make this an early stop to avoid the masses.
Another good starting point would be to Angkor Thom. The Bayon Temple, at the center of this site, is smaller than Angkor Wat, but more well-preserved in some respects. It is a maze and truly a joy to wander, but the crowds gather here soon as well.
7. Don’t Ride the Elephants at Angkor Wat
[Update]: As of 2019, elephant-riding at Angkor Wat has been banned.
As you are walking around some of the sites, you may be startled as you look up to see a massive elephant trudging down the road. They are not behind any wall, cage or enclosure. These beasts will have many of us stop dead in our tracks to stare in awe. Atop the elephants is a seat for tourists. At first thought, it seems like such an incredible experience. To ride an elephant, a revered and sacred animal across much of Southeast Asia, through an ancient temple complex… What an experience! Right?
Unfortunately, no. As much as many people would like to think it is a fun and harmless activity, these elephants are treated horribly. They are not trained. They are beaten, tortured and starved into submission. So much so that Southeast Asia is seeing a huge trend going from elephant riding to elephant sanctuaries. This isn’t just some meritless PETA fluff. It is true. Perhaps somewhere there is a place that has learned to magically train elephants without harm. If so, it is a secret.
Do not support the riding of elephants.
8. Beware of the Monkeys!
In keeping with the topic of wildlife, you will inevitably see some monkeys (or macaques or whatever they are) wandering around the temples. The great scene of ruined temples in the jungle that are now home to monkeys, they appear cute and photogenic. They are even approachable. Do not be fooled. These bastards are vicious.
In an instant, these monkeys will turn from cuddly to aggressive. They aren’t really afraid of you and will harass and attack you if you let them. Don’t encourage them or (willingly) feed them. And whenever you see them, hold on to your stuff. Any loose item of food, sunglasses or camera sitting idle becomes a toy to be stolen or destroyed. Remember they are wild animals and malicious little tricksters at best.
9. Bargain Shopping at Angkor Wat
As is the case with many markets or shops catering to tourists around the world, you will be hounded by people trying to sell you stuff. From figurines to shirts to paintings, they sell it all. At Angkor, these people can be especially aggressive. The moment you think you are thirsty, they can sense it and will be on you like flies. There are a few keys to remember when purchasing at Angkor.
Don’t act interested. If you seem inclined to purchase a souvenir, you will be bombarded by saleswomen. And, all of a sudden, instead of a single t-shirt, you’ve got a whole new wardrobe of cheap crap.
Walk away. If you are annoyed by the tactics, just leave. Don’t help perpetuate the harassing behavior. As soon as it approaches overwhelming, get out of there. The feeling of bombardment can soon turn to frustration and anger, and you do not want your adventurous spirit of exploration to be dampened by overzealous shopkeepers.
From a westerner’s perspective, they might actually get more business if they were patient and calmer. Many tourists are deterred from this type of sales. But do not expect things to be any different for your visit.
Lastly, make sure to go low when bargaining. Yes, the prices already seem very cheap, but they are not offering you a fair price. Many of the booths at the Angkor Temple Complex are actually cheaper than stores in Siem Reap (which tells you how overpriced those markets are), so it can be a good place to pick up a souvenir t-shirt, scarf or cheap whatever.
Even so, start really low in the bidding and ignore the sob stories. Nearly all of the salespeople will tell you a sad story. Do not buy into it. They know how to tug at the heartstrings of tourists. If they claim to lose money in a sale, it is not true. Remember, millions of people visit this place every year. Don’t feel guilty about walking away or getting (what you think) is a steal.
10. What to Wear at Angkor Wat
This is one of the most important things to consider for your visit to the temples of Angkor. This is not a suggestion. There are strict rules about attire for visiting almost all of the sites in the area. The reason is, despite the temples of Angkor being an historical and archaeological attraction, they are temples. This is still very much a religious and holy site for many people.
Shoulders must be covered and long pants must be worn. There are really no exceptions. If you see people not dressed this way, they must have slipped through the cracks and must be disrespectful pricks. Don’t be that person.
Now that we have established that you must dress appropriately, consider the weather. This is in the jungle, where most of the year it is oppressively hot and humid. Perhaps this isn’t the best day to show off your new outfit, no matter how cute you think you are, if it is going to send you into heat stroke. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Bring a towel. And bringing a change of clothes might not be a terrible idea either. You will be sweaty.
11. What to Expect When Visiting Angkor
The Temples of Angkor is one of the most fantastic ancient sites you can visit today. Once forgotten and then inaccessible, today this place is on every travel radar and easier to reach than ever before.
However, there are some important things to remember to help you know what to expect.
As mentioned above, it is hot and you should prepare for that physically and mentally. Take the two or three days if you can and go easy so you don’t overdo it and wear yourself out too quickly. Drink plenty of water.
Also mentioned above, this ancient wonder was once forgotten and inaccessible. That is no longer the case. That mystical place from the Ghost Channel – I mean, Travel Channel – and thousands of internet photos is not really that place anymore. The scene of a mysterious temple lost in the jungle is no more. Prepare yourself for being with thousands of other people. Yes, there are ways to limit interruption from crowds, but you will not be wandering alone.
Let this serve as a warning, not a deterrent. Rather than be disappointed by the crowds, expect, manage and prepare to see Angkor Wat and the other temples of Angkor in the best possible way that it is today. There’s no way to avoid the crowds at Angkor Wat in the twenty-first century.
Use the tips here and elsewhere to help ensure that you have the best possible experience. Angkor Wat and the other temples around should be on every travel bucket list. Hopefully this helps when it comes time to check it off.
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