Cambodia Launches Mekong‑Lancang Caravan Tour to Boost Chinese Tourism

PHNOM PENH, May 19, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has launched the “Mekong‑Lancang Cross‑Border Caravan Tour” to attract more Chinese and international visitors and strengthen tourism connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion, officials said Tuesday.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak presided over the opening ceremony, joined by leaders of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, delegates and stakeholders under the “Cambodia‑China Tourism Year” campaign.

Hak hailed the caravan as a celebration of the 68th anniversary of Cambodia‑China diplomatic ties and their “ironclad friendship,” saying it would deepen cooperation and advance the community with a shared future.

He described tourism as Cambodia’s “green gold,” central to economic and social development, and urged participants to act as goodwill ambassadors by promoting the kingdom as a safe and welcoming destination. The minister said the caravan would showcase Cambodia’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities to audiences along the route.

The 23‑day convoy runs from May 18 to June 9, traveling from Phnom Penh through Stung Treng into Laos, onward to Yunnan Province in China, before returning to Cambodia. Officials said the initiative is expected to reinforce regional tourism links and support Cambodia’s broader efforts to revive international arrivals, particularly from China, one of its key markets.

The programme also highlights people‑to‑people exchanges, with participants encouraged to foster friendship and connectivity across borders, underscoring tourism’s role in building regional cooperation.