Unesco gives Cambodian temple site world heritage status

THE United Nations cultural organization added an ancient temple site in Cambodia to its world heritage list, the government said on Sunday, bringing the number of heritage sites in the Southeast Asian country to three.

“Some of these elements, including lintels, pediments and colonnades, are true masterpieces,” Unesco said on its website.

Unesco said the area had been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the ancient Chenla Empire, a Khmer civilization that flourished in the late sixth and seventh centuries, preceding the Khmer Empire.

Majestic tree roots overlap Sambor Prei Kuk temple. Source: Reuters

Its remains cover an area of 25sq km.The site has become increasingly popular with foreign tourists.

“The decision of the Unesco’s World Heritage Committee is another massive pride for the nation,” the Culture of Fine Arts Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Tourist arrivals in Cambodia rose five percent to five million last year. About 5.5 million tourists are expected to visit the country this year.

Two other sites in Cambodia already have heritage status, including the popular Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province where parts of the “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” film were shot.

Angkor Wat and Preah Vihear, an 11th-century temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, were listed as World Heritage Sites in 2004 and 2008, respectively.

Sambor Prei Kuk was added to the list on Saturday along with other sites in China and India.

Tibetan rights groups criticized Unesco’s decision to extend world heritage status to an extensive plateau area in a heavily Tibetan area, saying it reinforces Chinese control of the region. – Reuters

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Source: travelwireasia.com