PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism has invited domestic and foreign tourists to watch the stunning equinox sunrise at the iconic Angkor Wat Temple's central tower, which will occur twice a year.
"The Equinox Angkor is a special solar phenomenon that occurs twice a year at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province," said a Ministry of Tourism's press release seen on Saturday (Feb 28).
The first event, called the Vernal Equinox, can happen between March 21 to 23 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. local time and the second event, called the Autumnal Equinox, can occur between Sept. 21 to 23 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., the press release added.
The events demonstrate the unique characteristics of the Khmer ancestors, deliberate design by Khmer architecture, layout for constructing the temple, land arrangement, calculations based on astronomy and considerations of the celestial course along with beliefs and natural phenomena requirements which have created a phenomenon that shines at the center of the Angkor Wat temple, the press release said.
"The Equinox Angkor is one of the most popular events that attracts tourists from around the globe and local Cambodians," Tourism Minister Huot Hak said.
Angkor Wat is one of the major temples in the Unesco-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in north-west Siem Reap province. The 401-square-kilometer park is home to 91 ancient temples, which were built from the ninth to the 13th centuries. - Xinhua
