Angkor’s New Garden Draws 600,000 Visitors

Less than three years after opening, the Angkor Botanical Garden has quietly become Cambodia’s second great attraction, welcoming around 600,000 visitors alongside the world‑famous temples.

Spread across nearly 200 hectares within the Angkor World Heritage site, the garden is now considered the largest of its kind in the country. Families and travellers use it as a green escape from traffic and heat, enjoying fresh air and shaded paths without paying an entrance fee.

At its core lies a carefully designed 15‑hectare space divided into five zones, showcasing medicinal plants, flowers, palms, traditional Khmer habitats and areas for wildlife. New rose and orchid sections have been added to keep visitors returning, while a landscaped pond provides a photogenic centrepiece.

Manager Meak Bora says the garden’s popularity proves biodiversity can draw crowds just as temples do. Beyond its appeal to tourists, the site has become a refuge for rare and endangered species and a living classroom for students studying Cambodia’s fragile ecosystems.

The project blends eco‑tourism with conservation, offering more than just a walk in the park. For many, it is a reminder that Cambodia’s natural heritage is as precious as its stone towers — and just as worthy of protection.

-2026-03-15