Staff members work at the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on March 31, 2026. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
PHNOM PENH, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday.
Mao Sokny, a technical officer at the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology and head of the restoration project, said the restoration work began in November 2025 and was completed at the end of last month.
The work focused on repairing and reinforcing deteriorated stones across the foundation, walls, bas-reliefs, and roof to ensure long-term structural stability, he said, adding that prior to restoration, the ANA had closed the library to visitors due to safety concerns because many of the stones had become loose and weakened over time, posing a risk of collapse.
"Following the restoration, we believe that the northern library on Angkor Wat's second level will become an attractive new destination for visitors, especially after being inaccessible for many years," Sokny said.
"Tourists will now have the opportunity to admire the intricate Apsara (celestial nymph) bas-reliefs and gain deeper insight into the architectural function and cultural significance of the library," he added.
Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is a major monument in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province.
The 401-square-kilometer Angkor Archaeological Park is home to 91 ancient temples, which had been built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.
The ancient park, which is the kingdom's most popular tourist destination, attracted a total of 270,911 foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2026, generating a gross revenue of 13.1 million U.S. dollars from ticket sales, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise. ■
This photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
A staff member works at the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on March 31, 2026. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows the restoration site of the northern library of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Archaeologists had successfully completed the restoration of a northern library located on the second level of the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, said an APSARA National Authority (ANA) news release on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)