- TikTok users recreate Temple Run at Angkor Wat
- Conservationists worry about damage
- The trend highlights tourism management challenges in the social media era
Digital Daredevils Run Amok
A new TikTok trend inspired by the popular Temple Run video game has conservationists worried about the fate of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat complex.
Social media users are sprinting and leaping through the nearly 900-year-old ruins, mimicking the game’s gameplay.
These videos, garnering millions of views, are inspiring daily copycats and raising concerns about potential damage to the historic site.
Virtual Fame vs. Real-World Preservation
Experts like Simon Warrack, who has spent three decades preserving Angkor, express deep concern over both physical damage and cultural insensitivity.
The trend highlights the growing challenge of balancing increased tourism, sustainability, and local cultural respect in the age of social media influence.
A Delicate Balance
Despite the potential boost in tourism interest, conservationists stress the need for safe, educational visits that respect the site’s religious and cultural significance.
The Angkor complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and major economic driver for Cambodia, faces the challenge of adapting to new visitor trends without compromising its preservation efforts.
