The total length of the Angkor Wat complex - measured perpendicular to the causeway from East to West - amounts to 215m, theNorth-South wall is 187 m long, and the highest tower reaches 65 m above ground level.
On either side of the causeway two artistic buildings raised on pilings are libraries, similar to the pair found inside the walls on either side of the crosscourt. Upon reaching the portico, the road continues outside along the outer wall. Balustrades in the form of snakes form the outer rim separating the road from the outer fields.

Right upto here everything is visible and accessible to the public, including the famous balustrades which, however, due to blind walls, impede the view onto the inner court.

photo credit: Photo Gallery of Angkor Ruins

One can enter the inner court from porticoes on every corner and in the center of each side; two additional entrances occur on the West side, while the gate in the East is at groundlevel to provide access for dignitaries mounted on elephants.

photo credit:photographs of Angkor by Leiden University

Three very steep sets of stairs lead from each of the smaller galleries to level three. Dr. H. Parmentier, the great Angkor expert, stresses in his guidebook the originality of the construction joining the crosscourt and the third gallery level.