Weather in Angkor Thom

About Angkor Thom

Bayon Temple's 54 towers emerge from the jungle crowned with 216 serene stone faces carved in quadruple aspect—a haunting gallery where thousands of identical expressions gaze outward. This psychologically overwhelming temple works simultaneously as sculpture, architecture, and meditation object.

Country

Cambodia

Best months to visit

January, February, December

Currency

KHM

Language

Khmer, English

Things to do in Angkor Thom

Sunrise photography from elevated viewpoints Face counting and stone carving documentation Adjacent Angkor Thom city wall walks Central junction temple explorations Jungle trekking to remote temple annexes Night illumination tours and ceremonies

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

31C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

March

35C

Very hot, with occasional showers.

April

34C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

May

34C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

June

33C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

July

32C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

October

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

November

31C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

Recommended

December

30C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Angkor Thom was the last great capital of the Khmer Empire, a walled and moated city roughly 9km square whose gates are flanked by giant stone faces and guarded by rows of devas and asuras tugging a stone serpent. At its heart sits the Bayon, with its 200-odd serene, smiling faces carved into towers, alongside the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King — together making it one of the most atmospheric stops in the entire Angkor complex.

Best areas to stay in Angkor Thom

Bayon Temple

The central monument of Angkor Thom, famous for its dozens of enormous carved stone faces gazing out in every direction.

South Gate

The best-preserved of Angkor Thom's five gates, with a causeway lined by giant stone figures holding a serpent and a tower carved with faces.

Terrace of the Elephants

A long stone platform carved with life-sized elephant reliefs, once used as a royal viewing stand.

Siem Reap Town

The main base for exploring all of Angkor, around 20-30 minutes by tuk-tuk from Angkor Thom's gates.

Getting to Angkor Thom

✈

Flights

Fly into Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, with connections via Bangkok, Singapore or other regional hubs.

⏱

From London

~14-16 hours from London with one connection.

🚕

Getting around

Tuk-tuks hired for the day are the standard way to move between Angkor Thom's sites and the rest of the Angkor complex; bicycles are a popular alternative.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Angkor Thom?

Early morning, just after the temples open, is best for cooler temperatures, softer light on the Bayon faces and fewer crowds before tour groups arrive from Angkor Wat.

How much time do I need for Angkor Thom?

Allow at least half a day to see the Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King without rushing; a full day allows time to explore further temples within the walls.

Do I need a separate ticket for Angkor Thom?

No — Angkor Thom is included in the standard Angkor Archaeological Park pass (1-day, 3-day or 7-day), which covers Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the wider temple complex.

How do I get around Angkor Thom?

Most visitors hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day from Siem Reap, who waits at each site; cycling is also popular for those wanting a slower pace, while the area inside the walls is large enough that walking everywhere isn't practical.

What should I see beyond the Bayon?

The Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King are a short walk from the Bayon, and the South Gate itself — with its giant carved faces and naga-pulling figures — is worth lingering at before or after.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The Bayon faces at sunrise were unforgettable — far more atmospheric than I expected, and the South Gate approach with the giant carved figures sets the tone perfectly.

Callum P. · January 2025

★★★★★

We spent a whole morning just inside Angkor Thom and still didn't see everything. The Terrace of the Elephants is easy to overlook but worth the short detour.

Anneke V. · October 2024

★★★★☆

Hot and busy by mid-morning, so go as early as you can. Our tuk-tuk driver knew exactly when to time each stop to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Ben T. · August 2023