Those who have visited sacred or religious sites around the world will know that many of them have a dress code for visiting. There are cathedrals that require shoulders and knees to be covered, mosques that require head coverings, Buddhist temples that require barefeet, and so on. When you reach the point in your Cambodia itinerary where you’ll be exploring a 900 year old Hindu turned Buddhist temple complex, you may wonder what exactly the Angkor Wat dress code requires, and what’s best to wear while you’re visiting. Let’s break it all down so you know what to expect while you’re there. š
The Weather
The first thing you’ll want to keep in mind when considering the Angkor Wat dress code is the weather. All year round the temperatures in Siem Reap range from the mid 80’s to high 90’s in Farenheit (29Ā°-36Ā°Ā Celcius). It gets HOT. And HUMID. Whatever you plan to wear make sure it’s breathable, comfortable, and helps you keep as cool as possible.
Tops
I know it may be tempting to wear a tank top in hot and humid weather. The Angkor Wat dress code, however, requires shoulders to be covered. Opt for loose fitting, light weight cotton t-shirts and dresses with sleeves. Consider loose long sleeves if you’d like to cover up from the sun.
Bottoms
I know it may also be tempting to wear short(er) shorts to try and stay as cool as possible; but, the Angkor Wat dress code requires shorts (and dresses or skirts) to reach the knees. Pants are also an option but make sure you’ll be comfotable in them in the hot and humid weather.
Shoes
You may be surprised to know that even as a Hindu turned Buddhist temple complex, you can keep your shoes on throughout your entire visit of the Angkor Wat temple complex. I’d recommend wearing sturdy shoes or sandals that are comfortable for walking (as you’ll be doing a lot of it).
Summing it All Up
In short, you should plan on dressing modestly. Wear shirts with sleeves that cover the whole shoulder, shorts/skirts/dresses that go all the way to the knees (or consider wearing pants), and refrain from showing any bare midriffs. Keep in mind that the Angkor Wat dress code is in place to help respect the sacred nature of the complex.
And with that, enjoy your visit to beautiful Angkor Wat!
