Golden Hour at Angkor Wat
Siem Reap, Cambodia — Largest religious monument in the world, famous for sunrise silhouettes.
Golden hour at Angkor Wat varies from 31 minutes in the morning to 31 minutes in the evening during peak months (June, December, January). Sunrise ranges from 06:31 in January to 06:19 in December. Largest religious monument in the world, famous for sunrise silhouettes. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:31 | 17:56 | 30m | 30m | 111° ESE | 249° WSW |
| Feb | 06:27 | 18:09 | 29m | 29m | 103° ESE | 257° WSW |
| Mar | 06:11 | 18:14 | 28m | 28m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 05:51 | 18:17 | 28m | 28m | 79° E | 280° W |
| May | 05:38 | 18:23 | 30m | 30m | 70° ENE | 290° WNW |
| Jun | 05:37 | 18:32 | 31m | 31m | 66° ENE | 294° WNW |
| Jul | 05:45 | 18:35 | 30m | 30m | 68° ENE | 292° WNW |
| Aug | 05:51 | 18:26 | 29m | 29m | 76° ENE | 285° WNW |
| Sep | 05:53 | 18:05 | 28m | 28m | 87° E | 273° W |
| Oct | 05:55 | 17:45 | 29m | 28m | 99° E | 261° W |
| Nov | 06:04 | 17:34 | 30m | 30m | 109° ESE | 251° WSW |
| Dec | 06:19 | 17:39 | 31m | 31m | 114° ESE | 246° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: June, December, January. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Angkor Wat
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: April
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Angkor Wat?
- Golden hour at Angkor Wat varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in June, December, January. Morning golden hour lasts 31m and evening 31m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Angkor Wat?
- Sunrise ranges from 06:31 in January to 06:19 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Angkor Wat?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 114° ESE in winter to 66° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 246° WSW to 294° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Angkor Wat?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are June, December, January when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are April, May, June.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Angkor Wat?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 05:51. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Angkor Wat?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Angkor Wat?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Angkor Wat during April, May, June. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Angkor Wat good for astrophotography?
- Angkor Wat has up to 4 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (April, May, June). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Ha Long Bay 905 km
- Bagan 1287 km
- Zhangjiajie 1894 km
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces 2736 km
- Taj Mahal 3087 km