On Tiktok, tourists film themselves running among the ruins of the Angkor Wat site (Cambodia), like in the mobile game Temple RunA trend that worries the curators of the place.
In mobile gaming Temple Runan explorer is chased by demonic monkeys and runs at full speed over the stones of a ruined temple to escape them. An iconic game from the 2010s… that some tourists passing through Angkor Vatthe famous Hindu Buddhist temple located in Cambodia, have decided to reproduce in real life, according to the Singapore Daily The Strait Times.
Millions of views
Filmed from behind, they run, jump over statues and roll on the ground in the alleys of the Cambodian temple, like the hero of the mobile game. All to the rhythm of catchy music and a few sound effects.
In total, there are over a hundred such videos listed on Tiktok under the hashtag #TempleRunInRealLife. And it’s going down a storm. Some of them have over 2 million views. In the comments, locals seem enthusiastic. “Thank you for coming to Cambodia and showing the beauty of the temple,” writes one user.
“I’m Cambodian and I think it’s great to promote tourism like this,” adds another.
A divisive trend
The problem is that this trend is not unanimous. Indeed, some historians worry about the irreparable damage that the races in the temple could cause to the place, built more than 900 years ago and classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.
There is, however, a code of conduct that prohibits visitors from touching or leaning on the temple structures. But tourists who film themselves in the style of Temple Run don’t seem to care.
Still others are concerned about the lack of consideration for the religious dimension of the place and the lack of respect for Cambodian culture. “It’s not just about the potential damage to the stones from people hitting them and falling or knocking things over,” observes Simon Warrack, the temple’s curator for thirty years, interviewed by the Singaporean media. “Angkor is still revered by the locals.”
“You wouldn’t run like that in the aisles of St. Peter’s Basilica or any Western church. So why would it be acceptable to do it in Cambodia?” he asks.
For its part, the Angkor complex is considering taking steps to limit such videos. New visitor trends must be “carefully managed to avoid any negative impact,” said Dr. Ginevra Boatto, country director of the World Monuments Fund in Cambodia, which partners with local authorities in charge of the sites to help protect them.
