· 54 stories
When people think of the Khmer Empire, they often picture Angkor Wat, monumental temples and powerful kings. Yet behind these achievements stood an equally impressive economic system. From the empire’s foundation in 802 CE until the 15th century, Khmer prosperity was supported by productive agriculture, skilled water management, busy local markets and extensive international trade.…
Siem Reap hosted the annual Ancient Kite Flying Festival with more than 130 participants flying traditional handcrafted kites. The three-day event celebrated Cambodia’s kite-flying heritage, engaged cultural preservation efforts and attracted both local visitors and tourists.
Cambodia has introduced new national guidelines to protect and sustainably manage its limestone cave systems, marking an important step in safeguarding the Kingdom’s natural heritage. The initiative reflects a growing national focus on environmental protection and responsible tourism, themes frequently covered in Cambodia news. Titled Cambodian Caves: Guidelines for Sustainable Development and Management, the framework…
Every year on January 7, Cambodia pauses—not in celebration, but in remembrance. Victory over Genocide Day marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, closing one of the most painful chapters in Cambodian history. For many Cambodians, the date is not only a historical milestone but a deeply personal moment tied to family…
There are places where history whispers gently, and Sambor Prei Kuk is one of them. Tucked away in the quiet forests of Kampong Thom Province, this ancient capital carries the soul of Cambodia’s early civilisation. Long before Angkor rose to global fame, Sambor Prei Kuk was already shaping ideas, architecture, and spiritual traditions that would…
Srutavarman (Old Khmer: ឝ្រុតវម៌្ម; Khmer: ស្រុតវរ្ម័ន, Shrutavarman) is remembered in Cambodian tradition as the first king of Chenla, the polity that emerged from the shadow of Funan and laid the foundations for the Khmer civilization. While later chronicles and Angkorian-era inscriptions present him as the founder of Chenla’s royal line, the historical record is far…
The Khmer Empire, one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful and artistically influential civilizations, saw a significant transformation during the reigns of its early monarchs. Central to this evolution was the establishment of Yasodharapura, a capital that would become the spiritual and political heart of the Angkor Empire. Yasovarman I and the Birth of Yasodharapura Yasovarman…
When most people think of Cambodia, their mind jumps to Angkor Wat or the rich heritage of the Khmer Empire. But beneath the surface lies a much older story—hundreds of millions of years old. It’s a story told not through stone temples, but through the fossils embedded in ancient rock formations, waiting to be discovered.…
Jayavarman II (c. 770–850 CE) is revered as the founder of the Khmer Empire, a dominant force in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. His reign marked the political unification of Cambodia and the ideological foundation of what would become one of the world’s greatest civilizations, centered around Angkor. Through military conquest,…
Queen Jayarajadevi, the first consort of the great Khmer ruler Jayavarman VII, holds a deeply respected place in Cambodian history. Flourishing in the late 12th century, her life, though brief, was marked by extraordinary compassion, spiritual dedication, and pioneering efforts in education and social welfare. Her contributions, alongside those of her sister and successor Queen…
Situated near present-day Siem Reap in Cambodia’s Roluos region, the ancient city of Hariharalaya (Khmer: ហរិហរាល័យ) stands as a cornerstone in the early development of the Khmer Empire. Recognized as one of its earliest capitals, Hariharalaya played a pivotal role in shaping the empire’s religious traditions, architectural innovations, and political structures—serving as the birthplace of…
Experts from the Ministry of Environment and their international research partners have identified 67 fossil sites across 13 provinces since launching their investigation in 2019. The Ministry plans to conduct further in-depth research on some of these remarkable discoveries, which provide a fascinating glimpse into Cambodia’s ancient past. The Department of Heritage Sites, under the…
Cambodia, a land of ancient wonders and rich cultural heritage, has been the epicenter of significant archaeological discoveries over the past two decades. From unearthing Iron Age burial sites to the revolutionary use of Lidar technology, these findings have reshaped our understanding of the ancient Khmer civilization and beyond. This article explores the top 10…
