‘Temple Run’ Trend At Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Raises Concerns About Damage To The Relic & Its Values

Unless you are living under a rock, you’d have heard of and even played the popular Temple Run game on your phone. The primary theme of the game is an explorer who makes their way through an ancient temple while dodging chasing monkeys and other obstacles. Cambodia’s iconic Hindu-Buddhist temple complex Angkor Wat has witnessed a rise in tourists filming Temple Run-inspired reels. And that’s far from good news.

Angkor Wat In Cambodia Sees Rise In Tourists Recreating ‘Temple Run’ Game

Tourists at Angkor Wat are recreating the popular video series by running, leaping and sprinting down the almost 900-year-old temple pathways. And conservationists are concerned about the damage this unruly behaviour can have on the ancient complex that has weathered storms, survived earthquakes and forest outgrowth. Numerous short videos of tourists running down narrow stone pathways as part of their Temple Run renditions have taken over TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Videos of them running are overlayed with the sounds from the popular video game. Some videos have amassed over 2 million views, prodding others to continue the trend. But at what cost? Simon Warrack, a conservationist is deeply troubled by this Temple Run trend. He believes it can potentially damage the structure. Moreover, he says it “tramples” the cultural and religious values of the place.

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Can Potentially Damage & Devalue Sacred Ruins

As per a report by Hindustan Times, Warrack who has played an integral part in the conservation efforts of Angkor Wat sheds more light on the matter. He said that every stone in the temple is believed to contain the spirits of the ancestors. So, leaping, vaulting and knocking over stones to create Temple Run renditions can damage the structure. This scenario highlights the balance needed to attract a massive number of tourists while maintaining the sanctity of tourist sites.

Cambodia is still reeling under the tourism losses caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic, Angkor Wat witnessed 6.6 million tourists. So, far in 2024, the number stands at a mere 630,000 visitors. So, some locals from Cambodia are welcoming the Temple Run trend to drive tourism.

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However, Cambodia’s tourism minister Sok Soken recently expressed concern about the potential damage the Temple Run trend could cause to the ruins. While there isn’t any rule banning the trend at the temple complex, tourists need to display the right etiquette during their exploration trips. It’s important to respect the ancient structure and pave the path for responsible tourism.

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