Cambodia Marks Sambor Prei Kuk’s UNESCO Anniversary with Heritage Sports Tourism Campaign

KAMPONG THOM, July 6, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has celebrated the ninth anniversary of the inscription of the Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List by combining cultural heritage conservation with sports tourism, drawing around 2,000 local and international participants to cycling and trail running events, officials said Monday.

The celebration, held under the theme “The Road to Isanapura, the Capital of Chenla before the Angkorian Period,” was presided over by Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Kampong Thom Governor Nuon Pharat. Activities included a 30-kilometre cycling route from Kampong Thom city to the temple complex, alongside obstacle trail races covering 42, 21 and 9 kilometres.

About 1,000 cyclists took part, including participants from Germany, Tunisia and Algeria, while another 1,000 runners from 15 countries—including the United States, China, Japan, France, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Chile, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Ukraine—joined the races.

Hak said turnout had exceeded expectations, reflecting strong public support for preserving Cambodia’s cultural heritage and growing interest in heritage-based tourism. He added that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s vision of “Tourism Connected to the Territory” and “To Love the Nation is to Know the Land,” while reinforcing Cambodia’s image as a safe, welcoming and culturally rich destination.

The minister also encouraged Cambodians to explore the country’s diverse destinations during the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign, which runs from May to October, when landscapes are at their greenest.

The event forms part of broader government efforts to promote UNESCO World Heritage Sites as year-round tourism destinations, stimulate domestic travel, support local economies and raise Cambodia’s international profile through cultural, heritage and nature-based experiences.

Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of the Chenla Kingdom known as Isanapura, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 8, 2017, in recognition of its outstanding cultural and historical significance