The West Gopura of Angkor Thom

The sight is located within Angkor. To prepare for your visit, read the AsiaExplorers Angkor Travel Guide for useful information. Visitors to Angkor stay at the town of Siem Reap. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Siem Reap, use the Cambodia Budget Accommodation Guide to find a place to stay.

The West Gopura is one of the least used gates into Angkor Thom. There is a forest path leading out of this gopura, in the direction of the West Baray, and is used mostly by the local people. Most visitors are unlikely to visit the West Gopura, except perhaps hardcore Angkor enthusiasts. There is nothing significant about this gopura, which is the same in design as the other gopuras of Angkor Thom.

A motorist passing through the West Gopura. The path continues through the gate and into the forest.

The West Gopura, as seen from the other side from the previous photo.

This is the path at the top of the wall. It has since been overgrown with forest trees that keep the ground shaded and bare.

A forest path continues westwards after the West Gopura.

How to go to Angkor Thom West Gopura
The West Gopura is one of the less popular sights in Angkor Thom. My tuk tuk driver Mr Han was reluctant to take me here, unsure whether the path is okay for his tuk tuk. But as it turned out, even motorcycles and bicycles were using this forest path. The route to the West Gopura is from the Bayon temple, and is 1.5 km away. So a total journey to and fro is 3 km. The best time to go is during the dry season, between January to March, so that the route to the West Gopura is dry and not muddy. This is way off the main tourist belt, and to explore Angkor up to here means you're a hardcore Angkor enthusiast!

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