Angkor Temples Under the Stars

angkor temples night photography

From time to time, we have requests about capturing the Milky Way or star trails in the temples of Angkor. Unfortunately due to the  archaeological  park’s  opening hours (most temples are only open between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm), night photography in the temples is quite difficult.
January and February are the most favorable months to take pictures of the temples under the stars.  Angkor Wat temple opens at 5 am therefore  it is  possible  to capture long exposure of the night sky. Of course you will not be able to do very long star trails and only several minutes long exposures. Like for any astrophotography,  you have to be aware of the phase of the moon as a full moon will disrupt your plan to get a starry sky.  Here are few night pictures below we capture in the temples of Angkor, we will update  this gallery from time to time with new shots.

 

 

Phnom Bakheng temple under a  full moon

Phnom Bakheng temple is a 10th century hilltop temple, very popular as it drawn thousands of visitors everyday for  sunset. Going there at sunrise  is a unique photography experience even with a full moon.

 

phnom bakheng temple stars angkor travel photography

Phnom Bakheng tower under the stars illuminated by a full moon

 

phnom bakheng temple full moon night angkor travel photography

Phnom Bakheng shrines under the full moon

 

Angkor Wat under the stars

Angkor Wat under the stars is  a  challenging capture as  your camera  will facing  east. Also, because the temple opens  at 5 am,   it is, for many months of the year,  already too late to capture the stars. Another challenge is coming for the light pollution from the  numerous LED torch used by the earliest visitor to navigate in the park at night. In the two pictures below you can see three of the five towers of  Angkor Wat illuminated by those LED’s. Despite all that, it is still possible to see stars above Angkor Wat temple just before the astronomical sunrise.

angkor wat photography tours night

Angkor Wat under thousand of stars

 

angkor wat photography tours night

Angkor Wat temple before sunrise under starry sky

 

angkor wat photography tours night

Angkor Wat temple before sunrise under starry sky

 

angkor wat photography tours night

Angkor Wat library under the stars

 

 

Bakong temple after sunset

In the picture below, the beautiful three-tiered Bakong temple mountain, built during the 10th century is in the  company of Jupiter and Venus in this rare planetary conjunction taken in October 2015.

venus jupiter conjunction Bakong temple

Bakong temple after sunset with Venus and Jupiter

 

 

Bayon temple under the moon full

 

 

bayon temple full moon

Bayon temple lit up by full moon

 

If you are looking for a photographic  challenge and want to capture Angkor under the stars we will be happy to assist you, please have a look at the many photography tours  we have at www.angkorphotographytours.com.

10 Tips to Take Better Pictures in The Temples of Angkor

angkor wat photography tips

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS ANGKOR WAT

 

 

Running photography tours in the temples of Angkor for the last 5 years, I am particularly acquainted the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretched over 400 square meters and counts more than 200 temples. I want to share with you some tips that will help you capture better pictures during your stay in Cambodia. From the preparation to the actual day, here are 10 photography tips  below on how to get the best out of your day in the temples of Angkor.

If you are looking for photographing away from the crowd and explore hidden temples please checkout our E-Bike Hidden Temples of Angkor photo tour.

 

1. Take a wide angle  lens

A wide angle lens is a must in the temples of Angkor. Unfortunately many people realized too late that their lens is not wide enough ….I would recommend at least a 24 mm (on a full frame) or a 10 mm (on a crop sensor). Many of the temple  photography was taken at 17 mm or 20 mm.

If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the moderately-priced ultra wide zoom lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM or the more expensive Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM. In some instances you may want to bring or rent a telephoto lens as it can be useful in some temples like Bayon to isolate the distant faces or capture far details in other temples. If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM or the more expensive version Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM.

If you have a Fisheye lens taking the dust in one of your drawers, I strongly suggest to take it to Angkor, it is a fun lens to use in the temples. Pictures below ere taken with the 7artisans fisheye 7.5 mm f:2.8.

Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing devatas in Angkor Wat temple

Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing the giants trees of Angkor

2. Pack extra batteries

You will probably take more pictures than usual during your photo tour and test the limit of your camera’s battery life. I noticed that cameras with electronic view finders (Sony Alpha 7r, 7s, Olympus OMD5 or Pen) drain their batteries quite fast so having extra batteries is highly recommended for mirrorless cameras. With Canon and Nikon DLSR’s, you can get away with one battery (if new) if you use from time to time your LCD screen. Be sure to charge fully the battery the night before. If you do not have an extra battery I highly recommend to bring your charger. There will be some charging stations at the restaurants around Angkor so you charge your batteries during your lunch break or coffee break.

 

3. Bring a monopod instead of a tripod

 

angkor wat sunrise photography

 

Many photographers are coming to Angkor with a tripod and end up not using it. It would be difficult to use a tripod at the sunrise in Angkor Wat unless you arrive very early and take a position in front of the crowd. Generally you can get away in taking Angkor Wat sunrise pictures without a tripod by using a large aperture and raising a bit the ISO. Light inside the temples can be quite low even in the afternoon but you can still get pretty decent photos in most cases by raising ISO to 1000. If you want to keep the noise low, one option is to use a monopod so you can use a lower speed. A monopod is also much easier to carry than a tripod.

Some people sometime ask if tripods are allowed in the temples of Angkor. The short answer is yes… However if you look “too professional” someone might ask you if you have a permit for shooting as they might think that you are shooting a commercial work.

 

4. Arrive early at Angkor Wat sunrise (best spot for sunrise angkor wat)

 

angkor wat photography

Tourists lined up in front of the reflecting pond facing Angkor Wat temple

 

Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a very popular venue all year round and it is best to arrive early to get your spot in front especially if you want to set up a tripod. 5 am is the earliest that you can enter Angkor Wat. The day before your planned tour, you can check sunrise time on Google. Leaving your hotel one hour before sunrise would be ideal. During the months of June, July and August, as sunrise is very early, I suggest that you buy your pass the day before from 5 pm at the new ticket center close to the Angkor Panorama Museum.

 

5. Buy the right entry pass

If you are planning to stay for several days and explore more temples, the best value for money is the 7-day pass at USD 72 which will allow you entry to the park 7 times for a period of 30 days. The worst deal is the one-day pass at USD37 , especially if you plan to visit the temples only half a day. To know more about the Angkor tickets please read our blog post.

 

6. Compose with shadows and highlights

Light in the temples of Angkor can be quite difficult to master especially at midday so it is best to shoot before 10 am and after 4pm. It does not mean of course that you cannot take good shots in between you just have to look for light and shadows.

angkor wat photography

Devata in Ta Prohm temple emerging from the shadow

 

angkor wat photography

Head of a Devata in the morning light at Angkor Wat temple

 

7. Do look up for details

Angkor Wat is such a massive temple that it is easy to miss many interesting details. Just look closely at the carvings and writings carved into the sandstone they can are often beautiful to capture. Do not forget also to look up the ceiling in the hall of 1000 Buddhas. If you want to see more close up pictures of Angkor please have a look at our previous blog entries here and here.

 

angkor wat photography

Bas relief detail in Bayon temple

 

angkor wat photography tips

Photography tips Angkor Wat: do not forget to look up in Angkor Wat temple to see these motifs with preserved  red pigments

 

hindu priest angkor photography tours

Hindu priest carving details in Angkor Wat temple

 

8. Get the right exposure

Getting the right exposure for your pictures in Angkor can be tricky as light changes drastically between outside and in the temple and change as well quite quickly outside. Unless you are shooting on auto ISO you will have to always pay attention to your ISO settings first before clicking your camera. Whether you are shooting manual or priority aperture, the metering system of your camera will be often challenged so you would to change quite often your camera settings. It is often said that shooting against the sun is a not a good idea but by choosing the right settings in your camera it can give fantastic results as you can see on the picture below.

 

angkor wat photography tours

Beautiful Apsara carvings at sunrise

 

9. Get out off the beaten path.

Even in the busiest temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon, you can escape the crowd by sauntering thru smaller corridors where you will often find hidden treasures that most tourist wouldn’t find.

angkor wat photography tips

Photography tips Angkor Wat: get out of the beaten path

 

10. Avoid Phnom Bakheng at sunset!

When in Siem Reap, many travel agents or independent drivers will recommend Phnom Bakheng as the best sunset viewpoint. It is actually the worst ! You would have to go there quite early as the numbers of people allowed on top of the temple is now limited to 300. The sunset view is not that impressive. You can see Angkor Wat from there but will need a least a 300 mm lens to take a decent shot. This useful website can help you find out other sunset spots in Angkor. Bear in mind that most of the temples are open only between 7.30 am to 5.30 pm which will make sunset pictures impossible. Beside Phnom Bakheng the only places which are opened until 7.00 pm are Pre Rup temple and Srah Srang.

 

best camera settings for sunrise

Sunset at Angkor Thom

 

 

FEATURED TOUR

ANGKOR SUNRISE PHOTO TOUR

 

angkor wat photo tours

 

 

Angkor Wat Sunrise: Experience the Magic of Angkor Wat Sunrise 365 Days a Year

best angkor wat pictures sunrise

 

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 

🌅 Angkor Wat sunrise offers breathtaking beauty throughout the year, with each month providing a unique perspective.

⏰ Sunrise time at Angkor Wat varies from 5.30 am to 6.30 am.

🌄 Remarkable astronomical events occur during the equinoxes in March and September.

🎨 The colors of the sky at dawn are unpredictable, ranging from pale red to delicate pink or even blue.

📸 Photographers should arrive early to secure a spot, especially if using a tripod, and the best time for night photography is December and January.

☁️ The monsoon season adds dramatic and awe-inspiring skies.

📍 There are various vantage points to witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat, with reflecting ponds being the most sought-after location for stunning compositions.

If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, make sure to add Angkor Wat sunrise to your agenda. Photographers, in particular, won’t want to miss out on capturing the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder throughout the year. Each month offers a unique perspective on this inspiring event, from clear skies and stunning red sunrises during the early months of the year, to the dramatic impact of the monsoon season, with rain clouds adding a mesmerizing depth to the photographs. Particularly in the months of March, April, and May, the sun appears as a massive red ball amidst the haze, perfect for capturing unforgettable images.

 

ANGKOR WAT SUNRISE TIME

Sunrise at Angkor Wat varies from about 5.30 am to 6.30 am depending of the time of the year. As Angkor Wat opens at 5 am all year around you can arrive sometime less than one hour before sunrise. This will have a lot of consequence on your pictures so if you want to get pictures of Angkor Wat at night, you should plan your trip accordingly.

 

 

 

angkor wat cambodia sunrise

Enchanting Sunrise at Angkor Wat’s Reflection Pond (January 2016)

 

Angkor Wat Sunrise |  When the sun rises behind the temple

Two remarkable  astronomical events occur each year in March and September at Angkor Wat Temple, highlighting the ingenuity of its ancient architects. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises perfectly aligned with the base of Angkor temple and slowly rise just beside the  central tower, creating a stunning visual effect. This remarkable phenomenon is a testament to the advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by the architects  who built Angkor Wat 900 years ago

angkor wat sunrise spring equinox photography tours

Majestic Sunrise Behind Angkor Wat’s main Tower During the Spring Equinox  (March 2016)

 

 The Enchanting  Dance of the Sun During Sunrise

If you are standing at Angkor Wat facing east towards the rising sun in different seasons, you will notice that  the position of the sun changes dramatically throughout the year. During the month of December, the sun rises at the far right side of the temple (south), while in June, it rises at the far left (north). Additionally, during the periods around the two equinoxes of March and September, the sun rises behind the towers of Angkor, creating a breathtaking sight. This celestial dance offers photographers and visitors alike a chance to witness the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat in a variety of perspectives and lighting conditions throughout the year.

 

angkor wat sunrise in the middle

Angkor Wat temple taken from central causeway just after the spring equinox (March 2022)

 

 

 

sunrise over angkor wat temple

Spectacular Sunburst behind Angkor Wat Temple silhouette (June 2015)

 

angkor wat reflective pool

Angkor Wat reflective pool after with the silhouettes few tourists (November 2017)

From Blue to Pink | Capturing the Ever-changing Hues of Angkor Wat Sunrise

 

At Angkor temple, the colors of dawn can be quite unpredictable. The sky may transform from a pale red to a delicate shade of pink, or even capture the elusive “blue hour” just before sunrise. Each morning is a unique experience, with the colors of the sky constantly changing throughout the year.

angkor wat blue hour

Blue hour with stormy sky (April 2023)

 

angkor wat temple sunrise

Captivating Angkor Wat: May Sunrise at the Blue Hour (May 2016)

angkor wat sunrise photos

Hues of pink with Angkor Wat reflection (February 2023)

Angkor Wat Sunrise |  Tips for Photographers

For photographers, it is recommended to arrive as early as possible on location  as soon as possible to secure a spot in front of the pond especially if you plan to  use a tripod. Sunrise can be as early as 5.37 am in the month of June and a bit late at 6.32 am in the month of January. December and january are also best time of the year to capture photos of Angkor Wat at night with star trails as a backdrop. The opening hours are strictly enforced and Angkor Wat  opens at 5 am sharp.

angkor wat photography tips

For photography guidance during a sunrise at Angkor and more, please feel free to have a look at our Angkor Wat Sunrise Photography Tour.

 

 

 

angkor wat sunrise best spot

Angkor Wat at daybreak with golden colors (April 2016)

 

 

Nature’s Canvas: Angkor Wat Sunrise Against the Drama of Clouds

 

 

The moonson season brings  hues of green to the temples of Angkor  by also dramatic and awe-inspiring skies. This without any doubt gives another dimension to photographs compared to  the clear skies.

These pictures can be taken between June until sometime Decembre depending on the moosoon season .

dramatic angkor wat sunrise with clouds

A Dramatic Angkor Wat Skyline Amidst the Clouds (August 2022)

 

 

angkor wat red sunrise

Beautiful sunrise just after the rain (december 2015)

 

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Golden sunrise at Angkor Wat (August 2014)

 

 

angkor wat sunrise spot

Angkor Wat at Sunrise: A Majestic Scene with Red Clouds in June

 

Angkor Wat  with dramatic red clouds (October)

 

Angkor Wat sunrise photography tours

Angkor Wat  with dramatic red clouds (October)

 

angkor wat best sunrise

Angkor Wat in October with Vibrant Red Clouds (2017)

 

 

 

What is the best place to see the sunrise?

At Angkor Wat, the sunrise spots are plentiful, regardless of whether you face east or west. Whether you seek a dramatic backlight or wish to observe the golden rays illuminating the sandstone carvings, there are many vantage points to choose. The reflecting ponds at Angkor Wat are undoubtedly the most sought-after location for capturing the perfect Instagram shot. As the sun rises, the water create a mirror-like reflection, offering a stunning composition for photographers. Consequently, these areas tend to be quite crowded, as the area is quite small

Is Angkor Wat sunrise worth it?

The short answer would be yes. if you do not want to be shoulder to hundred of tousist at the reflective pools, they are other view points during sunrise where it can be relatively quiet. Note that the busiest season is from November to February but it not necessarily the best months for photographers looking to explore the temples of Angkor and get the most spectacular shots. If you can, we  recommend to  hire a photography guide.

Was it is the blue hour?

The quite elusive phenomenon, known as the blue hour, unveils itself approximately sixty minutes before the break of dawn, it can give a intense blue tone to your pictures  even if your camera is set to a warm white balance.

Is Angkor Wat better for sunrise or sunset?

Angkor Wat temple’s popularity at sunrise comes from its stunning sunrises. The temple’s silhouette against the colorful sky creates a picturesque setting that has become iconic. especially viewed from the reflecting ponds.Although the same breathtaking effect cannot be replicated at sunset, the evening golden light sunset can be a blessing for photographers especially in areas  rich with carvings.

 

10 Beautiful Pictures of Angkor Wat Sunrise

angkor wat sunrise pictures

 

Running photography tours in the temples of Angkor, I am one of the lucky few who have witnessed and captured nearly 200 sunrises. Although there were days when sunrise was uneventful, Angkor Wat sunrise it is a special moment to capture although it became quite popular over the years. It is always a new spectacle depending on the weather and also due to the fact that sun rise is actually moving from the south to the north of the temple. Twice a year, during the equinox of March and September, sun rises just behind the main tower which make the sunrise even more spectacular.
Here is a selection below of the best sunrise pictures I took the past few years in Angkor Wat temple. If you are a photographer and want to get professional advice and tips during Angkor Wat and beyond please have a look at our popular Angkor Wat sunrise tour.

 

 

 

 

angkor wat temple sunrise central toer aligned reflection

Angkor Wat sunrise central tower aligned with reflection on pond

 

Lotus pond angkor wat sunrise photography tour

Angkor Wat sunrise with lily pond flowers

 

angkor wat sunrise reflection angkor photography tours

Angkor Wat sunrise with reflection

 

Angkor Wat golden sunrise Angkor Photography Tours

Golden sunrise over Angkor Wat temple

 

angkor wat tourist crowd sunrise equinox

Crowd at sunrise during the equinox at Angkor Wat temple

 

Angkor Wat sunrise photography tour

Beautiful sunrise just after the rain in Angkor Wat temple

 

Angkor wat sunrise causeway photography tour

Angkor Wat sunrise from western causeway during the raining season

 

Beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat with beams of light

Beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat with beams of light

 

After-Sunrise-Angkor-Wat

Sun rising behind the temple of Angkor reflecting on pond

 

Dramatic sunrise over Angkor Wat temple

Dramatic sunrise over Angkor Wat temple

Best Time to Visit Siem Reap and Take Photographs in Angkor Cambodia

Cambodia sits just about the equatorial zone where the weather is mostly warm to hot all year round. Just like all countries with tropical climates, there are only two seasons – the wet and the dry.

One of the recurring question among visitors and photographers is what is the best time to visit Siem Reap and Cambodia in general?

The dry season starts in October and ends in April and it usually lasts longer than the wet season. This is the time when scorching heat brought about by the northeast monsoon dries up the land turning the Cambodian countryside into spectacles of golden paddy fields and creating fine powdery white to tawny colored dusty dirt roads. There are cool months though, from November to January, which is also considered high season by many tour operators particularly in Siem Reap. Tourists flock the temples of Angkor at this time of the year as they make the most out of the cool weather without having to worry of being soaked in the rain.  Around the months of January and March, hazy skies can be observed giving the sun a fiery red ball effect, perfect for capturing stunning sunset  at the Angkor Thom moat as shown in the picture below.

 

sunset angkor thom photography tours

Red ball sun over Angkor Thom moat in March

On the other hand, wet season runs from May to September caused by the southwest monsoon. It tends to rain most days of the week, generally heavy downpours that usually last for a few hours. There are days when the rain is quite light but it continues all day long. Wet season in Cambodia means low season for tourism in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. For tourists and photography enthusiasts, visiting during the wet season has its lovely perks. Aside from being less crowded, spectacular cloud formations and charming colors can be seen in the morning. The countryside looks more alive with lush foliage. The green scenery is quite striking amidst the drenched surroundings. The dusty dirt roads are now soggy mud pits and the meadows are flourishing with vegetation. The moats surrounding the temples are filled with water and there are pools of water everywhere ideal for taking reflection photos.

 

angkor wat temple causeway photography tours

Angkor Wat temple seen from the west causeway in September

 

Banteay Kdei temple photography tours

Banteay Kdei with green pond in October

 

Bayon temple reflection photography tours

Bayon temple at dusk with water reflection

 

 

Some temples are putting up their  green moss  robe during the monsoon season  as  in Preah Khan and Ta Prohm temples. You can see more pictures of the temples of Angkor during the green season on our blog Cambodia Green Season.

 

Buddha carving moss preah khan angkor photography tours

Buddha carving covered in moss in Preah Khan temple in October

 

Sandstone moss Ta Prohm photography tours

Numbered sandstone block covered with moss in Ta Prohm temple in September

Sunrise and sunset intervals also change during the seasons. In January, sun rises the latest at around 6:30am while in June, sun rises the earliest at around 5:30am. While the sun sets earliest in January normally around 5:30pm and not later than 6:00pm, it sets relatively late in June at around 6:30pm. Sun path also varies with the seasons. Angkor Wat in particular is exposed to a very different light in the months of June and December: standing on the central causeway you will see the sun rising on the right side or left side of the temple respectively. You can see below the dramatic change in light at the northern corridor.

Apsara carving angkor photography tours

Devata carvings in Angkor Wat corridor in December

 

Apsara carving angkor photography tours

Devata carvings in Angkor Wat corridor lit up by the sun  in June

 

Angkor Wat sunrise photography tours

Angkor Wat sunrise with temple reflection on the pond in October

 

 

Apart from the temples, the Cambodian countryside is changing drastically between the dry and the wet season with lotus and paddy fields  appearing and disappearing  from the landscape.

Paddy field siem reap photography tours

Farmer working on a paddy field in the Cambodian countryside in November

 

lotus flowers field

Lotus flowers  pond in August

Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, nevertheless, if you are a photography aficionado, any season is a good season to visit Siem Reap and capture the beauty of Angkor.

 

countryside siem reap Cambodia

Countryside landscape near Siem Reap Cambodia in September

To conclude, especially if you are a photographer, all year around is good to take pictures in Cambodia. 

 

If you are heading to Cambodia soon and you are wondering about the weather in Siem Reap, you can have look at the live siem reap weather map below.