Cambodia, Asia

Angkor Wat in January

Ideal weather and peak crowds. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is shoulder to shoulder; plan other temples for early mornings too.

BestDry and warm, highs near 88F (31C), cool mornings

Angkor Wat at sunrise, Cambodia — Angkor WatPhoto: Reinhard Onasch, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

January is one of the best months of the year to visit Angkor Wat. Ideal weather and peak crowds. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is shoulder to shoulder; plan other temples for early mornings too.

Weather: Dry and warm, highs near 88F (31C), cool mornings
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What January is like in Angkor Wat

January is ideal weather at Angkor. It is dry and warm, with highs near 88F (31C) and cool, pleasant mornings. It is also peak season, so sunrise at Angkor Wat is shoulder to shoulder and Siem Reap hotels charge top rates. Chinese New Year can add a surge of regional visitors late in the month, depending on the lunar calendar.

This month suits first-timers, families, and anyone who wants the most comfortable temple days of the year. Plan the other big temples for early mornings too, not just Angkor Wat, and take a pool break at midday. If you want smaller crowds and lower prices, the green season from June to August is a quieter alternative.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Angkor Wat this month.

Cool sunrise mornings

Early mornings are the most comfortable of the year for the Angkor Wat sunrise and a walk through the Bayon.

Banteay Srei in dry weather

The small pink sandstone temple with the finest carvings is an easy, dry drive about 45 minutes out.

Full-day temple loops

Mild heat makes it possible to see more temples in a day than in any other season.

What to pack for January

Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees
A light layer for cool early mornings
A headlamp for pre-dawn sunrise walks
Sunscreen and a wide hat

Our timing tip

After sunrise, walk to the back of Angkor Wat while the crowds leave for breakfast, then head to Ta Prohm right at opening.

Book Angkor Wat for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Angkor Wat
Opens a hotel search for Angkor Wat in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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Vacation rentals in Angkor Wat
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Angkor Wat
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Angkor Wat for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Chinese New Year

Late January to mid February, set by the lunar calendar

Brings a surge of regional visitors to Siem Reap, filling hotels and busy temples.

Things to do in Angkor Wat

Full guide

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Arrive before 5:30am to find a spot by the lotus ponds. For a quieter view, walk to the back of the temple after sunrise while everyone else leaves for breakfast.

Tickets and tours →

The Bayon and Angkor Thom

The face towers are best in soft morning or late afternoon light. The Terrace of the Elephants is right next door.

Tickets and tours →

Ta Prohm

The tree-root temple. Go right at opening or in the last hour to avoid the tour groups.

Tickets and tours →

Banteay Srei

Small pink sandstone temple with the finest carvings in Angkor, about 45 minutes out. Go early before it heats up.

Tickets and tours →

Beng Mealea

A collapsed jungle temple about 90 minutes from Siem Reap. Uncrowded and atmospheric, especially in the green season.

Tickets and tours →

Tonle Sap floating villages

Water levels change dramatically by season. Visit in the wet season when the lake swells, and choose community-run tours.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Buy a multi-day pass and spread the temples out. Do the big three (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm) at off-hours instead of cramming them into one crowded day.
Most tour groups follow the same loop. Reverse it: do Ta Prohm at opening, Angkor Wat at midday when the sunrise crowd is gone, and the Bayon in late afternoon.
Go to Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea early to beat the heat and the tour buses.
Consider the green season from June to August: morning temple visits are quiet, the landscape is lush, and hotel prices drop.

Know before you go

Angkor passes are sold for one, three, or seven days at the official ticket center and online through Angkor Enterprise. You need a photo pass to enter any temple.
Angkor Wat and some temples open early for sunrise; most others open around 7:30am and close in the late afternoon. Check current hours.
Upper levels of some temples, including Angkor Wat's central tower (Bakan), close on certain Buddhist holy days and have dress-code checks (shoulders and knees covered).
During Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, some local restaurants and shops close as families return to their home provinces.

Angkor Wat in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Angkor Wat?

January is one of the best months of the year to visit Angkor Wat. Ideal weather and peak crowds. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is shoulder to shoulder; plan other temples for early mornings too.

What is the weather like in Angkor Wat in January?

Dry and warm, highs near 88F (31C), cool mornings.

Is Angkor Wat crowded in January?

January is peak crowd season in Angkor Wat; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Angkor Wat in January?

Chinese New Year (late january to mid february, set by the lunar calendar).