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n 1296, Zhou Daguan, a geographer of the Yuan Dynasty, embarked on a journey to Angkor, the
capital city of Cambodia. Inspired by his experiences, he penned “The Customs of Cambodia” to
document the sights and tales he encountered. Centuries later, this book was translated into French,
Ileading adventurers to the long-lost Angkor complex, concealed within dense forests. Today, Chi-
nese cultural relic restorers have arrived in Cambodia, breathing new life into Angkor’s ancient treasures.
Their expertise and dedication contribute to the ongoing restoration efforts, leaving captivating narratives
of collaboration and cultural preservation.

“I repair cultural relics in Cambodia”

“我在柬埔寨修文物”

By our staff correspondents □ 本刊综合

In 1992, the Angkor complex, encom- tion. However, when they initially started en years of diligent on-site construction, the Ta Keo temple to Cambodia.
passing over 400 cultural relics, was in- working on the conservation and resto- Chau Say Tevoda temple reemerged from In 2019, the Cambodian government en-
scribed on the World Heritage List. China ration of Angkor’s cultural relics, they its previous state of ruin. trusted China with the responsibility of re-
was one of the first nations engaged in the encountered numerous new challenges. Upon completing the restoration of storing the royal palace situated in the heart
protection and restoration of Angkor’s his- Xu Yan, who has dedicated many years the Chau Say Tevoda temple, the Chinese of the Angkor complex, marking the third
torical monuments, and Chinese cultural to preserving the Angkor complex, recol- experts were faced with an even more phase of the conservation and restoration
relic restorers, affectionately known as lected, “Prior to the restoration, the Chau formidable task – the restoration of the Ta project. These included the restoration of
“Chinese doctors,” possess a unique exper- Say Tevoda temple was in a state of archi- Keo temple. This iconic national temple cultural relics and buildings, archaeological
tise in performing “surgical” interventions tectural ruin with crumbling walls. It was not only spanned a larger area, but also research, protection of stone carvings, es-
on cultural relics. one of the most severely damaged temples had numerous structurally compromised tablishment of laboratories, construction of
In 1998, at the initiative of the China within the Angkor complex.” sections, with tens of thousands of scat- an exhibition center, environmental reme-
Academy of Cultural Heritage, a team of “Based on the condition of the structure, tered stones needing attention. Complicat- diation efforts, and the creation of a capti-
Chinese experts was dispatched to Cam- we established the guiding principle of ing matters further, unlike the previously vating display of the ancient ruins. Xu said,
bodia to embark on their inaugural project: ‘emergency reinforcements, site protection, restored temple, Ta Keo had never been “Initially, our focus was solely on restoring
the restoration of the magnificent Chau Say and essential restorations’,” Xu explained. fully completed, presenting additional the cultural relics. However, as the project
Tevoda temple, which traces its origins back “We focused on reinforcing the foundation challenges for restoration. The Chinese progressed, we devised a sustainable devel-
th
to the 11 century. and meticulously assembling over 4,000 team dedicated eight years of meticulous opment approach that integrated heritage
All team members from China are fragmented components, carefully returning work to the project, and in November 2022, preservation with its public exhibition and
skilled professionals in cultural conserva- them to their original positions.” After sev- they proudly handed over the fully restored utilization.”