A disturbing new trend on social media has sparked outrage among conservationists, historians, and the public as tourists film themselves reenacting the popular “Temple Run” video game at the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex. The UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Cambodia’s most treasured historical landmarks, has seen an influx of visitors mimicking the mobile game, which involves running, jumping, and navigating obstacles in a virtual temple setting.
Videos of these stunts, shared widely on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, show tourists running, leaping, and sometimes crashing into the nearly 900-year-old temple structures. These clips, often accompanied by playful sound effects, have garnered millions of views, fueling the trend further. However, the popularity of these videos has raised significant concerns about the potential damage to the ancient site, both physically and culturally.
Experts warn that these actions could cause serious harm to the fragile stone structures that have stood for centuries. “It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over—which is real,” said Simon Warrack, a conservation consultant, in an interview with Bloomberg. “But it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples.”
Angkor Wat, originally a Hindu temple that later transformed into a Buddhist site, is considered one of the most important religious and historical monuments in the world. Conservationists are alarmed that the quest for viral content is leading to the desecration of a sacred site. The rising trend of “Temple Run” reenactments at the temple complex highlights a broader issue of how social media can sometimes encourage behavior that disrespects cultural heritage.
As new videos continue to emerge daily, the Cambodian government and cultural organizations are being urged to take action to protect the site. The challenge lies in balancing the preservation of Angkor Wat’s historical integrity with the realities of modern tourism and social media culture.
This trend serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with visiting cultural and historical sites. While the allure of creating viral content may be strong, it should never come at the expense of respecting and preserving the world’s cultural treasures.
Sources By Agencies
