Angkor Wat

អង្គរវត្ត

The state temple of Suryavarman II and the monument on the Cambodian flag. Five lotus-bud towers rise over a moat that still holds water.

Quick facts

Pass Type: Angkor Pass ($37-$72)
Entry Fee USD: Included
Opening Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Commissioning King: Suryavarman II
Century Built: Early 12th Century
Religion & Primary Deity: Hindu & Buddhist · Vishnu
Circuit: Small Circuit
Distance from Siem Reap: 5.5 km
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise, or after 2:00 PM when the large tour groups thin out

Nicknames and famous highlights

Monkey Temples Cambodia Flag Temple Cambodia Flag TempleFive lotus-bud towersChurning of the Ocean of MilkLongest continuous bas-relief galleryProfile on the Cambodian flag

History and architecture

Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, then later cared for as a Theravada Buddhist monastery, which is why it survived in use when other Angkorian shrines were abandoned. The west-facing plan is unusual for a Khmer state temple. The concentric galleries stand for the ranges around Mount Meru, and the moat stands for the cosmic ocean. The outer gallery carries the Churning of the Ocean of Milk and a long historical procession of Suryavarman II's army. It is the heart of the Angkor UNESCO site, inscribed in 1992.

How to get to Angkor Wat

Origin	Distance	Duration	Modes
Banteay Meanchey	115 km	2 h–3 h	Minibus, Shared taxi, Private car
Ho Chi Minh City	530 km	4 h–15 h	Flight, International bus, Private car with border crossing
Phnom Penh	320 km	3 h–7 h	Flight, Tourist bus, Private car, Shared taxi
Siem Reap	6 km	15 min–40 min	Tuk-tuk, Taxi, Bicycle
Sihanoukville	540 km	5 h–12 h	Flight via Phnom Penh, Bus, Private car

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to visit Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is covered by Angkor Pass ($37-$72) and has no extra per-temple fee in this directory.

What are the opening hours of Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is listed as open 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM. Best time to visit: Sunrise, or after 2:00 PM when the large tour groups thin out.

Who built Angkor Wat?

Commissioned under Suryavarman II, Early 12th Century, 1113–1150, dedicated to Vishnu. The religion recorded here is Hindu & Buddhist.

What is Angkor Wat known for?

Also called Cambodia Flag Temple. Known for Five lotus-bud towers, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Longest continuous bas-relief gallery, Profile on the Cambodian flag. Filed under Monkey Temples, Cambodia Flag Temple

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