Cambodia's ancient temples at Angkor Wat are under threat from the large numbers of tourists who are now visiting the site. (Photo: CCTV.com)07-01-2008
CCTV (China)
Cambodia's ancient temples at Angkor Wat are under threat from the large numbers of tourists who are now visiting the site.
There are fears that ongoing damage to the temple's soft stone may mean they could eventually be destroyed. The government is making efforts to preserve the site, but experts warn that time is running out.
Cambodia's temples at Angkor Wat are considered among the best surviving examples of ancient religious architecture in the world.
Lost to the jungle for centuries, the temples were rediscovered in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot.
For many Cambodians, Angkor Wat represents the heart and soul of the nation.
The temples were built about a thousand years ago. Relief work on the walls tell of the many threats the ancient empire survived throughout the centuries.
But today a new threat to the temples comes from mass tourism - thousands of tourists now visit the area every day.
There are fears that ongoing damage to the temple's soft stone may mean they could eventually be destroyed. The government is making efforts to preserve the site, but experts warn that time is running out.
Cambodia's temples at Angkor Wat are considered among the best surviving examples of ancient religious architecture in the world.
Lost to the jungle for centuries, the temples were rediscovered in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot.
For many Cambodians, Angkor Wat represents the heart and soul of the nation.
The temples were built about a thousand years ago. Relief work on the walls tell of the many threats the ancient empire survived throughout the centuries.
But today a new threat to the temples comes from mass tourism - thousands of tourists now visit the area every day.
