Pre Rup

Climb Pre Rup’s steep steps to see the sunrise or sunset from it’s top tier, which is 40 feet (12 meters) high and offers views of Angkor Wat’s distant spires on clear days. Most tours visit Pre Rup in the evening, for sunset. Some tours use Pre Rup to round off a day at the Angkor “big three” (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm), or stop here on the way back from Banteay Srei. You can enter the area with a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day Angkor Pass.

• Pre Rup is popular with photographers and Instagrammers.

• The temple’s steps are steep and can be challenging—make sure you descend well before dark.

• Travelers who use wheelchairs will be able to roll around the outside of Pre Rup but won’t be able to reach the platform or interior.

Pre Rup sits within the main Angkor Archaeological Park area, east of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm, and is about a 9-mile (14-kilometer) drive from downtown Siem Reap. There’s no public transportation, so most travelers join a tour or book a private driver or guide.

Pre Rup opens very early in the morning, in plenty of time for sunrise, and closes after sunset. Photographers who’d like to beat the sunset crowds might want to visit at sunrise or a little later, when the brickwork glows in the morning light.

Watching the sun rise over the ancient towers of Angkor Wat and photographing their reflections in the moat is a classic Siem Reap experience. You can also see spectacular sunrise and sunset views from a number of other local spots: In addition to enjoying the morning light at Pre Rup, you can see sweeping views of the entire complex from a hot air balloon, catch colorful reflections in the waters of Srah Srang reservoir; or enjoy the sunset at the Phnom Bakheng temple or the south gate of Angkor Thom.