Planning a Sunrise Photoshoot at Angkor Wat
Watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Cambodia. The temple slowly emerges from the darkness, the sky shifts from colorful to golden light, and the revelation of the worlds largest religious monument creates an unforgettable scene. For any photoshoot a little planning can go a long way, especially when it’s in a new country and a once in a lifetime opportunity like Angkor Wat.
As a photographer who has lived in Siem Reap for over a decade frequently shooting sunrise at this magical temple, I have a few tips for anyone who wants to make the most of this unique experience.
Whether you are a couple, solo traveller, or family looking to get a photos of yourselves using your phone, or a professional/hobbyist photographer with a real camera looking to capture the beautiful landscape, this guide is for you.
Why Sunrise is the Best Time for Photos
Beautiful Light: The soft golden glow of sunrise is flattering and natural. Later in the day it gets harsh, creating hard shadows (and more sweat!)
Romantic/Peaceful Atmosphere: Early mornings are quieter and more intimate — ideal for couples and those that enjoy the quiet.
Less heat: In Cambodia it can get hot - visit Angkor Wat in the morning when it’s cooler.
Less crowded: Although there are always crowds at Angkor Wat, the morning is the most predictable in terms of where people will be.
Preparation - Tips for a Smooth Sunrise Shoot at Angkor Wat
Tips for Everyone:
Plan your Transport the day before. Make sure you know how long your journey will take and if you are driving yourself, factor in that parking will add significant time until reaching Angkor Wat.
Prepare Your Pass: Buy your Angkor Pass the day before (online) so you can head straight to the temple instead of purchasing a pass on the way. This will save you a significant amount of time.
Arrive Early: Plan to arrive to Angkor Wat around 4:45–5:00 am to secure a good spot - you’ll need time to scope out the area.
Bring Essentials: A bottle of water, spare clothing, mosquito repellent, snacks, and a small torch or phone light are handy.
Bring a Bag for Your Belongings Having a small bag with you is a game-changer during your photoshoot. When you stop to take a photo, you can quickly tuck away everything you don’t want in the photos like phones, wallets, sunglasses, scarfs and water bottles. This way, you only need to set down one bag instead of juggling loose items, making your photos look cleaner and more natural. Just watch out for the monkey who sometimes will take your water bottle, or a pair of sunglasses!
Pro Tips:
Lens Fog
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken a photographer to Angkor Wat, they’ve opened their camera bag, pulled their camera out, and then… lens fog. Their camera has been packed up the night before ready to go as it should be - the mistake is leaving your camera bag in your air conditioned room all night, then opening the bag and taking your camera out at hot and humid Angkor Wat. The sudden transition from cold to heat causes lens fog that takes a long time to get rid of.
It’s an excusable mistake, as often travellers are coming from places where there is not such a sudden transition in temperature between their bedroom and outside.
How do I avoid this? Keep your camera bag in the bathroom or in a room that is not air conditioned over night. If this is not possible, take the camera out of the bag as soon as you wake up in the morning, and get it out of air conditioning, allowing time for the camera to adjust to the surrounding temperature.
Lens Choice
I can’t tell you which lenses you should bring, I can only offer guidance on the reasons I use my different lenses at different times.
If I can only choose one lens, it’s usually the 24-70mm. This is a great general purpose lens, and while it can’t do everything perfectly, it can do almost everything pretty well. You can get nice wide landscape shots, as well as getting more up close shots at 70mm. The landscape at Angkor Wat lends itself to both options.
I do like to use my 16-35mm sometimes, as this can accentuate elements in the foreground. There are a lot of old pieces of the formerly fully built temple lying around that I like to use as foreground elements in my landscape photography.
Angkor Wat shot with a wide angle lens
Angkor Wat with a longer focal length
Often If I’m photographing people at Angkor Wat, I like to use a 70-200mm, as long as I’m a little further away from the temple. This really brings out the temple in the background and pushes it more to the forefront of the image, helping it to be a focal point that adds emotion to the scene.
Where to Shoot at Sunrise
Visitors begin arriving at Angkor Wat as early as 4.30 a.m, eager to be the first in line when the gates open at 5am and as soon as they do there’s a steady flow of people heading straight to the reflecting lotus pond at the front of the temple. This is the classic spot to capture that iconic image of Angkor Wat mirrored perfectly in the water.
Many travelers and photographers crowd this area, hoping to claim a front-row position for an unobstructed view. While it’s a spectacular vantage point and a must-try for anyone set on getting that famous reflecting shot, it can also be incredibly busy and crowded, and I personally advise against it. There’s nothing like having your peaceful sunrise at Angkor Wat experience ruined by some less than considerate people right next to you.
Angkor Wat at Sunrise Silhouette
Angkor Wat sunrise without the crowds
Personally, I recommend stepping back a little ways away from the crowd. Even moving just a short distance away from the main cluster of people can transform your experience. You’ll find quieter spots where you can set up comfortably, take your time, and capture unique perspectives that most visitors overlook. This approach not only helps you avoid the stress of jostling for space but also gives you a more peaceful and personal connection with this breathtaking sunrise moment.
I’ve compiled a few locations where you should pretty much be alone for sunrise, with some example photos:
The South West corner of Angkor Wat – This area offers a nice view of the temple at sunrise, and you will be well away from the crowds watching sunrise by the lotus pool. Most people don’t enter the temple area until it gets a bit lighter so it should be pretty quiet here.
The North West corner of Angkor Wat – Much the same as the south west corner, but here there is less renovation work going on on the facade of the temple, making it a bit more pleasing to shoot. Though you wont see the sun rise up directly behind Angkor Wat, you can nice some nice perspectives here, and I can almost guarantee you’ll be alone
Further Back from the crowds on the western entrance (facing east) – As the landscape goes slightly downhill, if you position your camera low to the ground, you should be able to cut out most of the crowds from your photos. You’ll also appreciate the relative peace and quiet back here.
Location 3 - further back from the crowds
The north west corner of Angkor Wat temple at golden hour
What to Wear for Your Photoshoot
Light and Comfortable: Mornings start cool but warm up quickly, so breathable fabrics help.
Colors that Pop: Pastels, neutrals, or light tones stand out beautifully against the stone temples.
Practical Footwear: You’ll likely walk across uneven paths and it may be muddy in places. Not to mention the bugs.
Accessories: A scarf, hat, or small prop can add a personal touch to your photos.
Cultural Etiquette
Cambodia is a very friendly, accepting and welcoming place. I’m often asked if there might be an issue with an LGBTQ photoshoot or proposal. The answer is no, not at all. Not in the slightest.
People in Cambodia love taking pictures. You will not be anything out of the ordinary if you want to take a lot of snaps, especially at Angkor Wat.
Final Thoughts
A sunrise photoshoot at Angkor Wat isn’t just about the pictures — it’s about creating a memory that reflects the joy of your trip together. Whether you’re on your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or just sharing a special holiday, the combination of ancient temples and morning light makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Plan ahead, arrive early, and be ready to enjoy the moment. The photos you take home will be more than images - they’ll be a reminder of one of the most memorable mornings of your journey.
Need more tips about Siem Reap?
I want your experience to be unforgettable from start to finish — Where you stay, where you eat and what you experience plays a big part in that.
After living and working here for over 10 years collaborating closely with some of Siem Reap’s top hotels and regularly hosting visiting friends and family, I’ve built a deep knowledge of which places stand out, which experiences people like and how to see the real Siem Reap - whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or on a romantic getaway.
I’m currently creating a ‘Where to Stay in Siem Reap’ guide, featuring my top hotel picks chosen for their personal touches, ideal locations, and unique character — with options for every budget.
In the meantime, feel free to get in touch — I’d be more than happy to assist you with my personal recommendations and help you choose somewhere to stay, recommend places to eat, the best activities with kids - all completely for free. I love Siem Reap and want people to experience the best it has to offer.
A monk at Angkor Wat at Sunrise