Japan Pledges $26m to Restore Angkor Wat Temples – Preserving A Rich Heritage

Offering financial support and expertise, Japan has pledged a sizable amount of $26 million to help in the restoration of certain parts of the historic Angkor Wat Temple Complex in Cambodia namely the western causeway. The initial renovation work will see the closing down of the main bridge that offers entry to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, though an alternate floating bridge will provide access to the site in the interim. The restoration work will centre around the 190 metre long Spean Harl Bridge that leads to the entrance of the complex and which features distinctive railings with naga-shapes. Annually an estimated five million visitors head to the Angkor Wat complex as part of their Siem Reap excursions. There are also several accommodation options in the region such as Anantara Angkor Resort which provide easy access to this historical site.