Cambodia & Tourism: Angkor Wat prepares for the equinox

In a few weeks, Cambodia will host one of Asia's most fascinating natural and spiritual spectacles: the Angkor Equinox. Between 21 and 23 September 2025, at the first light of dawn, the sun will rise exactly in line with the central tower of Angkor Wat, bathing the monument in golden light and revealing the full grandeur of the ancient Khmer civilisation.

Angkor Wat prepares for the equinox

The Ministry of Tourism, which has confirmed the official dates, invites visitors from around the world to come and experience this special moment, scheduled every day from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. As at every equinox, thousands of curious onlookers – foreign travellers, Cambodians, monks and photography enthusiasts – will gather at the western entrance to the temple to witness this rendezvous between ancient architecture and the cosmos.

When the sun and stone communicate

Much more than just a sunrise, the Angkor equinox is a testament to the genius of its builders. The engineers and architects of the Khmer Empire did not just design a majestic temple: they conceived it as a cosmic clock. The perfect orientation of Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, is based on complex calculations designed to synchronise the building with celestial phenomena.

Twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun rises directly above the central tower – an architectural feat that continues to amaze travellers, historians and astronomers alike.

For the ancient Khmers, this mastery of the celestial cycles reflected a deep understanding of the universal order and a sacred link between royalty, the gods and nature. Angkor Wat is not only an architectural masterpiece: it is a living calendar, a bridge between earth and sky.

A moment of fervour and sharing

At dawn on the equinox, a solemn silence often descends on the esplanade. Visitors, equipped with their cameras or simply in awe, scan the horizon as the first golden light pierces the dark sky. When the sun rises exactly behind the central tower, a collective exclamation rises. The moment is brief but unforgettable: it transforms a simple sunrise into a spiritual and heritage experience.

The Ministry of Tourism emphasises how much this phenomenon contributes to Cambodia's international appeal. Every year, the event attracts travellers from all continents, generating a buzz that reminds us that the Angkor site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains a universal symbol of beauty and wisdom.

The science and poetry of balance

The equinox, a phenomenon observable everywhere on the planet, marks the moment when the length of the day equals that of the night. But nowhere else, perhaps, does this perfect symmetry find such a spectacular setting as at Angkor Wat. While in March it heralds the rebirth of spring, September embodies harmony and balance before the cooler months.

This twice-yearly event reminds visitors that time is not only measured by modern clocks, but also by the immutable movement of the stars, of which Angkor Wat is one of the most magnificent observatories.

See you in September

At a time when Cambodia is stepping up its efforts to diversify and revive its tourism sector, the Angkor equinox perfectly illustrates the marriage between science, history and spirituality. More than a journey, it is an encounter: that of man with his heritage, of stone with light, of memory with eternity.