One of the most beautiful sunrises you can see is at Angkor Wat during the equinox. The sun rises right over the central tower, perfectly aligned with the temple. This is, of course, no accident. The temple was build with this alignment in mind. As a symbol manifesting the gods themselves.
I was fortunate enough to be in Siem Reap for the equinox, so I was able to go and see the sunrise. Since you don’t need to go inside the actual temple to witness the occasion, you don’t need a pass or a tour guide. You can just show up and enjoy the view.
Obviously I wasn’t the only one to have the idea to see the sunrise. The sight is popular with tourists and locals alike, so there was a huge crowd gathered to see the view. We watched in wonder as the sun rose perfectly aligned with center of the temple. It’s a phenomenon most people won’t witness, and a spiritual occasion for all involved.
