Wat MahathatAbout Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is a principal temple within the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia, originating in the Angkorian period. The complex features a central sanctuary, galleries and associated Buddhist structures reflecting its role within the larger Angkor temple network.
The temple’s layout includes a pyramidal or galleried central compound surrounded by subsidiary structures, consistent with major state temples of the Angkor era. It is one of several important religious monuments within the park and receives steady visitor traffic as part of standard Angkor itineraries.
Built during the Angkor period and subsequently used and adapted by later Khmer rulers, the site reflects both original Angkorian temple architecture and later Buddhist reuse. Restoration and archaeological work over the 20th and 21st centuries have stabilized many of the visible stone elements.
Wat Mahathat sits inside the Angkor Archaeological Park, roughly 5 km north of Siem Reap town, amid flat rice paddies and forested temple grounds that characterize the Angkor landscape.
- Visit tip: See the temple as part of a wider Angkor visit; it is commonly visited together with Angkor Thom and Bayon within a single day circuit.
Nearby Attractions to Wat Mahathat
Best Time to Visit Wat Mahathat
The best time to visit is the dry season (Nov-Feb) when weather is cooler and outdoor exploration is most comfortable.
Weather & Climate near Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 19°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1387 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 2 mm | some cloud | 57% | 1.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| February | Ideal | 21° - 33° | 28° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 53% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| March | Excellent | 24° - 34° | 31° | 23 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 35° | 34° | 59 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 25° - 34° | 35° | 143 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 34° | 177 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 200 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.7h |
| August | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 200 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 263 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 211 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Excellent | 22° - 31° | 26° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| December | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 14 mm | some cloud | 65% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
How to Get to Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat (the central temple in Angkor Thom) is also within the Angkor Archaeological Park, adjacent to the Bayon. From Siem Reap town take the main road toward the Angkor Park entrance and then use the internal park roads to reach Angkor Thom; most visitors arrive by tuk‑tuk, taxi or bicycle. Parking is available at the park and the temple complex is reached on foot from the parking area (short walking distances between the principal monuments).