China, UK, US, and France Lead the Charge in Angkor Wat’s Tourism Boom with Cambodia’s New Visa-Free Policy for Global Travelers

Published on December 10, 2025

Cambodia’s decision to introduce a visa-free policy for Chinese tourists has sparked a significant surge in tourism to Angkor Wat, with travelers from China, the UK, the US, and France leading the charge. This new initiative, aimed at boosting the country’s tourism sector, has made Angkor Wat a more accessible destination for international visitors, contributing to a remarkable increase in tourist arrivals. The policy has not only simplified travel procedures but also positioned Cambodia as an attractive hub for global travelers, further cementing the appeal of its iconic UNESCO World Heritage site.

In 2025, Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park experienced a notable increase in international visitors, with 74,492 tourists from China arriving in the first 11 months of the year. This marks a 4.6% increase from 71,177 visitors during the same period in 2024, reflecting a steady rise in interest from China, which is now one of the key sources of foreign tourism to the park.

China ranked as the fourth-largest contributor to international tourist arrivals at the Angkor Archaeological Park, after the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, according to a recent report published by Angkor Enterprise, the state-owned body responsible for managing the site. This upward trend in Chinese visitors is part of a broader growth in tourism to Cambodia, especially to the Angkor site, which continues to be a top destination for travelers seeking to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of Southeast Asia.

The growth of Chinese tourism to the Angkor Park is especially significant as the site attracts travelers from around the world. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Siem Reap province in northwest Cambodia, is home to some of the most impressive and historically significant temples in the region. These temples, including the famous Angkor Wat, were built between the 9th and 13th centuries, during the Khmer Empire. Visitors to the site are often drawn to its awe-inspiring architecture and historical significance, with some of the world’s most intricate carvings and grand temple structures found throughout the park.

Over the first 11 months of 2025, the Angkor Archaeological Park hosted a total of 867,195 international visitors from 171 countries and regions. The park continues to be a vital part of Cambodia’s tourism industry, with international visitors flocking to the site not only to admire its ancient wonders but also to explore the local culture and surrounding areas. This influx of tourists has contributed significantly to the local economy, generating a gross revenue of US$40.48 million (RM166.41 million) in ticket sales alone, underlining the park’s importance as a key driver of Cambodia’s tourism sector.

While Chinese visitors account for a significant portion of the site’s foreign tourism, they are not the only group contributing to the park’s popularity. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France have traditionally been the largest contributors to Angkor’s international visitor numbers. However, the rise in Chinese tourism to the site is expected to continue, with predictions indicating a steady increase in Chinese arrivals in the coming years.

Several factors are contributing to this growth, including the increasing disposable income of Chinese tourists, their growing interest in cultural and historical travel experiences, and the improved flight connectivity between China and Cambodia. Many Chinese visitors choose Cambodia as a destination for cultural tourism, with Angkor Park offering a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of the Khmer Empire. As Chinese tourists become more frequent travelers to Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s Angkor site is positioned to benefit from this growing trend.

In addition to the increasing numbers of Chinese visitors, the Cambodian government is implementing a new visa policy that is expected to boost the number of Chinese tourists to the site even further. A pilot visa-free policy for Chinese nationals will begin in June 2026 and run through October 15, 2026. This new policy is designed to reduce travel barriers for Chinese tourists, making it easier for them to visit Cambodia and the Angkor Archaeological Park. The move is expected to stimulate tourism not only from China but also from other regions as well, as more tourists take advantage of the more relaxed travel restrictions.

The visa-free policy is anticipated to be a long-term catalyst for tourism growth at the Angkor Park. By simplifying the process for Chinese visitors to enter Cambodia, the government hopes to attract a larger number of first-time and repeat tourists from China. The ease of access is expected to lead to higher visitor numbers, resulting in greater revenues for the park and surrounding areas. This policy could also help Cambodia’s tourism industry remain competitive in the regional tourism market, especially as other Southeast Asian nations continue to attract increasing numbers of Chinese tourists.

The government’s initiative to promote Angkor Park as a cultural tourism hub aligns with its broader strategy to develop Cambodia as a key tourist destination in the region. The rise in Chinese tourist arrivals is part of this ongoing effort to bolster the country’s tourism sector and strengthen its position as a leader in cultural tourism in Southeast Asia. As more Chinese tourists are encouraged to visit, the long-term impact will likely be seen not only in increased tourism revenues but also in the cultural exchange between Cambodia and China, enhancing the relationship between the two nations.

Cambodia’s new visa-free policy for Chinese tourists has sparked a tourism boom at Angkor Wat, with travelers from China, the UK, the US, and France leading the influx, drawn by the easier access to this iconic site.

Angkor Archaeological Park, with its 91 ancient temples, remains one of the most iconic and revered archaeological sites in the world. While it continues to attract visitors from all over the globe, the growing influx of Chinese tourists is a testament to the park’s continued global appeal. With the Cambodian government’s efforts to ease travel restrictions and its ongoing push to develop the tourism industry, Angkor Park is poised for even greater success in the coming years, especially as more travelers from China and other nations look to explore this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site.