The Kingdom’s pride and glory Angkor Wat has achieved a new pinnacle of glory, being named Asia’s numero uno pick as the most photogenic UNESCO site. Prime Minister Hun Manet made the announcement with a flourish on Sunday on his official Telegram channel. He also attached a screenshot of the list by leading UK travel portal Times Travel.
The list features Angkor Wat towering above the other Asian UNESCO heritage sites at the very top. Next on the list is Taj Mahal in India, the marble monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The Great Wall of China follows next, with Bagan in Myanmar, Borobudur in Indonesia, Halong Bay in Vietnam, the historic monuments of Kyoto in Japan, Petra in Jordan, the rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Hampi in India rounding off the list.
The travel portal that compiled the list clarified that it was not only cultural values that were taken into consideration but also their visual appeal. The criteria were the intensity of inspiration for photographers in quest of beauty, history and immortal imagery.
Among the major temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park, Angkor Wat lies in northwest Siem Reap province. Spanning 401 square kilometres, the park boasts of 91 temples of a bygone era, built from the 9th to 13th centuries.
The historic monument is undisputedly the Kingdom’s biggest tourist draw with 651,857 foreigners making the trip from January to August this year. The figure is a 30.7 percent increase year-on-year, a report from the state-owned Angkor Enterprise revealed.
“This recognition adds another layer of appeal to Angkor Wat, emphasising its visual beauty and making it a focal point for social media-driven tourism,” Jeremie Clement, General Manager, Peninsula Phnom Penh told Khmer Times on Monday. With more travellers seeking destinations that offer stunning, shareable moments, this ranking will likely increase the site’s popularity among millennials, influencers, and photography enthusiasts, he added.
The accolade reinforces Cambodia’s position as a cultural and historical hub in Southeast Asia, attracting not only tourists interested in heritage but also those drawn by the aesthetic charm of its ancient architecture, Clement continued. Overall, this recognition will raise Cambodia’s profile, positioning it as a destination that blends history, culture, and natural beauty.
“Firstly, this award will make more people around the world aware of Cambodia’s culture,” said Sokhom Sam OL, Executive Director, Siem Reap Tourism Club Association (STC). Being ranked first among many famous Asian UNESCO sites makes Cambodia more respected in tourism. This ranking might bring more people who create photos and videos, which will show Cambodia to even more people online.Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok will play an important role in amplifying the reach of this recognition, as more people are likely to be exposed to images of Angkor Wat through viral posts and travel vlogs.
(Source: Khmertimeskh)