Angkor Wat at Sunrise: Yes, It's Cliché—And Worth It
You’ve scrolled past a thousand Angkor Wat sunrise photos. I know. But standing there as the sky shifts from deep purple to rose gold? That’s different.
The silhouette of those towers against the changing sky is something you feel in your chest. It’s one of those rare moments that lives up to the hype.
PHOTO TIP: Arrive by 5 AM and head straight to the left side of the reflecting pool. You’ll have a better angle and slightly fewer elbows in your frame. Bring a wide lens if you’ve got one.
Ta Prohm: Where the Jungle Wins
This is the temple Lara Croft made famous, and it delivers. Massive tree roots spill over crumbling stone like nature’s taking back what’s hers. It’s eerie. It’s beautiful. It’s impossible not to stand there in awe.
Every corner offers something—twisted roots, broken doorways, shafts of light cutting through the canopy.
PHOTO TIP: The iconic “Tomb Raider tree” gets mobbed, so visit early or late. For something quieter, wander the back corridors-there are plenty of roots and fewer tourists. And please, don’t climb on the ruins.
Bayon Temple: The Smiling Faces
Bayon feels like a fever dream. Everywhere you turn, there’s another giant stone face watching you with that calm, knowing smile. Dozens of them.
The light changes how they look—soft in the morning, dramatic at midday. I could’ve spent hours here just wandering and shooting.
PHOTO TIP: Get close for a portrait-style shot with one of the faces. Or go wide to show the sheer number of them. Either way, it’s gold. Just don’t touch the carvings—they’ve survived centuries, and we need to keep it that way.
The Gates of Angkor Thom: Grand Entrances
Before you even get to Bayon, you pass through one of Angkor Thom’s massive gates. Towering stone faces look down from above the entrance, and giant statues line the bridge leading up to it.
It’s dramatic. It’s powerful. And most people just drive through without stopping—which means you can actually get a clean shot.
PHOTO TIP: Stop at the South Gate on your way in or out. The statues along the causeway make for a strong foreground. Early morning or late afternoon light works best here.
Pre Rup at Sunset: The Underdog
Pre Rup doesn’t get the same hype as Phnom Bakheng, and that’s exactly why I liked it. Fewer people, same golden light, and the red-brick temple glows as the sun drops.
You can climb to the top and watch the jungle stretch out in every direction. It’s quieter. It’s calmer. And the photos? Just as good.
PHOTO TIP: Shoot during the last hour before sunset when the bricks turn warm and orange. The top platform gives you 360-degree views, so move around and experiment.
Phnom Bakheng at Sunset: The Chaos Is Part of It
I’m not going to lie—this place gets packed. But if you can handle the crowd, the sunset view over Angkor Wat and the jungle is stunning. The whole sky glows.
It’s a bit of a climb, and yeah, it’s touristy. But golden hour up there? Worth it.
PHOTO TIP: Get there by 4 PM to claim a spot. Use a wider lens to capture the full sweep of the landscape-it’s more dramatic than zooming in on the temple alone.
Kampong Phluk Floating Village: A Whole Different Vibe
If you’re tired of temples, take a boat out to Kampong Phluk on Tonlé Sap Lake. The houses sit on tall wooden stilts, the water reflects the sky, and life moves slower here. It’s peaceful. It’s colorful. And it’s a side of Siem Reap most people skip.
PHOTO TIP: Shoot from the boat for wide, environmental shots of the village. And always ask before photographing people—this is their home, not a set.
Banteay Srei: The Pink Temple
Banteay Srei is about 40 minutes out of town, but the pink sandstone alone makes it worth the trip. The carvings here are some of the most detailed I’ve seen—tiny, intricate scenes that somehow survived a thousand years.
Late afternoon light makes the pink glow even warmer. It’s quieter than the main temples, too.
[PHOTO TIP]: Shoot the pink stone against a blue sky for gorgeous contrast. And zoom in on the carvings-seriously, the detail is unreal.
Pub Street After Dark: Neon & Energy
When the sun goes down, Pub Street lights up. Neon signs, packed bars, tuk-tuks weaving through the crowd—it’s chaotic and colorful and exactly what you need after a long day at the temples.
I’m not usually one for “nightlife shots,” but the energy here is contagious. The lights reflect off the wet pavement if it’s rained, and the whole street feels alive.
[PHOTO TIP]: Shoot handheld with a higher ISO to capture the movement and glow. The neon signs make great backdrops-just watch your gear in the crowd.
I came back from Siem Reap with a full memory card and a dead phone battery. But honestly? The best moments were the ones I almost forgot to photograph. Don’t let the camera run the whole trip.
Bring extra batteries. Wear good shoes. And leave some space to just look.
