Angkor Equinox Opens Today: Golden Sunrise to Align With Angkor Wat's Central Tower

Phnom Penh— Sept. 21, 2026: The Angkor Equinox begins today, opening a three-day window for visitors to witness one of Cambodia's most spectacular natural phenomena at Angkor Wat.

From Sept. 21 to 23, 2026, the rising sun will align directly with the central tower of Angkor Wat, creating a golden sunrise visible from the temple's western entrance. The most precise alignment falls on Sept. 22, with the best viewing window between 6:15 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.

The event marks the autumnal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. The alignment is not merely a natural spectacle but living evidence of the astronomical, mathematical and architectural genius of Cambodia's ancestors, who built the temple complex with such precision that the sun still rises in perfect symmetry with its central tower nearly nine centuries later.

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has invited domestic and international tourists, as well as Cambodian citizens, to travel to Siem Reap to witness and photograph the rare event.

Visitors are reminded to dress appropriately and to respect the Angkor Code of Conduct in order to uphold the honour and value of the World Heritage Site.

Sources:

Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cu6yivn7M/

Reported by The Khmer Today