Six Taboos of the World’s Wonders: The Cursed Mythical Kingdom

Text & Photos / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Jun(e) compiled and reported

Cambodia, an ancient civilization with a history of over 2,000 years, once dominated the Indochina Peninsula. During the golden age of the Angkor Empire, the kingdom flourished with immense power and splendid culture. Its territory covered the entire present-day Cambodia, as well as parts of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. There's even a saying that anywhere there are palm trees was once part of Cambodia's domain. Yet, after centuries of strength, the empire seemed to be cursed, plummeting into an endless abyss. The 1970s saw the rise of the Khmer Rouge period — marked by the massacre of millions and large-scale famine — plunging Cambodia into a dark era lasting 30 years and turning it into a nation of suffering almost overnight.

The might of the Angkor Empire transcends time through its historical ruins. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument and a massive ancient water city. It combines two fundamental elements of Khmer temple architecture across eras: the multi-tiered square terraces of temple-mountains and the corridor galleries of flatland temples. It also symbolizes Cambodia’s religious and mythological beliefs, and has now become a world-renowned tourist destination. As a Buddhist-majority country, Cambodia also has many cultural customs and nuances that visitors should be mindful of. Below are six key taboos. Travelers visiting Cambodia’s historic sites may want to take these as useful references and precautions.

Six Key Precautions:

1. When visiting ancient sites and temples such as Angkor Wat, visitors should avoid wearing revealing or sexy clothing. Shorts or skirts must be longer than knee-length. Clothing such as tank tops and sleeveless shirts is not allowed inside.

2. Visitors must not give money or candy to begging children, as doing so encourages them to skip school and continue begging.

3. Climbing, touching ancient monuments or murals, or entering restricted areas marked with signs is strictly prohibited.

4. As Cambodia is a Buddhist country, visitors must show respect to monks. If you wish to take photos with them, always ask for their permission first.

5. Smoking and littering are strictly prohibited within all heritage sites.

6. In Cambodia, the left hand is considered unclean. Using it to handle objects or food is seen as impolite.