16 Shaolin Monks Arrive in Cambodia for Martial Arts Showcase

PHNOM PENH, April 28, 2026 (KPT) — Sixteen monks from China’s famed Shaolin Temple have arrived in Cambodia to prepare for a martial arts performance blending Khmer and Chinese traditions, officials said Tuesday.

The “Cambodia–China Martial Arts Performance” will be staged on April 30 at Bayon Temple in Siem Reap Province, with free admission expected to draw more than 1,000 national and international guests. Cambodian tourism authorities welcomed the delegation, noting the event highlights cultural exchange and growing cooperation between the two countries.

The Shaolin monks will perform alongside about 45 Cambodian martial artists in a program organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the Kun Lbokator Federation of Cambodia. The showcase will feature Shaolin Kung Fu, Wushu and Tai Chi, paired with Cambodian disciplines such as Kun Lbokator, Khmer boxing, sword techniques, shield fighting and elements of royal martial arts.

Our Dara, Deputy General Secretary of the Kun Lbokator Federation, said the collaboration demonstrates Cambodia’s commitment to preserving and promoting its martial heritage while strengthening cultural ties with China.

The event builds on earlier cooperation, including the 2024 showcase “When Shaolin Meets Bokator,” also held in Siem Reap, which drew wide attention to the martial traditions of both nations.

The performance comes as Cambodia intensifies cultural and tourism ties with China. Authorities recently introduced a free visa scheme for Chinese tourists, allowing stays of up to 14 days during the June–October 2026 “green season.”

The measure is expected to boost arrivals and reinforce bilateral exchanges, with cultural showcases such as the Shaolin performance complementing tourism promotion efforts.