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Image Credit: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Completion of the Restoration of the Library at Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia
Archaeologists in Cambodia have completed the restoration of the northern library on the second level of Angkor Wat, reopening an important but long-inaccessible part of the temple. According to the APSARA National Authority, the work began in November 2025 and was completed at the end of March 2026. The project focused on stabilising deteriorated stonework in the foundations, walls, roof, and bas-reliefs after safety concerns had forced the area to close to visitors.
The restored structure is expected to become a new point of interest within the monument, particularly because it allows closer appreciation of carved apsara figures and offers visitors a better understanding of the architectural and ritual layout of the upper levels of Angkor Wat. Officials said the conservation work aimed not only to repair visible damage, but also to ensure the long-term structural stability of the building.
Angkor Wat itself is one of the most important monuments of the Khmer world. Built in the 12th century under King Suryavarman II, it forms part of the wider Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province. UNESCO describes Angkor as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological sites, extending across roughly 400 square kilometres and containing the remains of successive capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
Within that wider landscape, Angkor Wat stands out for its scale, formal symmetry, sandstone construction, and extensive sculptural decoration. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and later became an important Buddhist monument, a continuity that helped preserve its religious significance over many centuries. Its galleries, towers, reliefs, and carefully planned enclosures make it both a masterpiece of Khmer architecture and one of the best-known temple complexes in the world.
The broader Angkor Archaeological Park remains Cambodia’s leading heritage destination. In the first quarter of 2026, Angkor Enterprise reported 270,911 foreign ticket-buying visitors and gross ticket revenue of about US$13.1 million, showing the continuing economic importance of the site as well as the value of ongoing conservation work.
Published on: 06-04-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Xinhua News Agency