Angkor Wat Repairs Begin at Popular Southern Reflection-Pond Area

Conservation work is under way on a 20-metre section of Angkor Wat’s western naga balustrade beside the temple’s southern pond, a popular place for photographs of the monument reflected in the water.

The APSARA National Authority began the restoration in June 2026, according to a July 24 report citing the authority’s release. The project concerns the first southern section of the causeway, where the stone structure had collapsed over time. Work is scheduled to continue until the end of 2026.

What is being repaired

Conservation specialists are dismantling unstable stones, replacing damaged blocks and making new pedestals and naga-body elements where original pieces are missing or severely deteriorated. APSARA is also reported to be preparing a wider risk map for naga balustrades across the Angkor Wat complex, intended to identify other vulnerable sections.

What visitors should expect

No full closure of Angkor Wat, ticket change or formal alternative visitor route had been announced in the information available when this article was prepared. The repair is, however, taking place in a heavily visited part of the temple grounds near the southern reflection pond. Visitors should allow some flexibility for barriers, work zones or instructions from site staff, particularly when planning photography at sunrise or later in the day.

The reported completion date is a schedule rather than a guarantee. Check APSARA National Authority updates and follow on-site signs or your licensed guide’s directions during a visit.

The repair follows earlier APSARA conservation projects on Angkor Wat’s stairs, causeways and naga balustrades. Those projects have involved reinforcing weakened foundations and returning displaced sandstone elements to their intended positions.