Visitor Numbers Will Be Limited for Sunset-Viewing at Angkor Wat

Image: PHOTO: Angkor Wat, Cambodia. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
Image: PHOTO: Angkor Wat, Cambodia. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Thu March 23, 2017

If you are planning to head to Angkor Wat to view the sun as it sets over the horizon - an iconic, much sought-after experience, you might want to plan ahead. According to a new report in Australia's Traveller, visitor numbers during sunset are now restricted.

"The hill at Phnom Bakheng has become so popular with those wanting to watch the sun sink over ancient Khmer ruins that the management team at Angkor were concerned about damage to the temple there," writes Natalie Paris.

According to Phoeun Sophoan, the president of Apsara's Tourism Management Agency, no more than 300 visitors will be allowed at the top of Phnom Bakheng at a time.

"The authority has also arranged places for tourists to see the sunset on the hill without going up to the temple," he was reported as saying by Agence Kampuchea Presse.

This was welcome news from tour operator About Asia.

[READMORE]READ MORE: The Must-See Temples of Angkor Wat [/READMORE]

"We have been directing travelers away from the sunset at Phnom Bakheng for years," Ethan Crowley tells Traveller.

There are several alternate ways to view the sunset. Crowley recommends seeing the sunset at Angkor "on a hand-propelled gondola on the moat of the ancient city of Angkor Thom."

For more ways to view the sunset at Angkor Wat, read on here.


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