PHNOM PENH, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) — Archaeologists from Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA) have successfully completed the restoration of the southern central staircase and the Naga balustrades on the ground floor of the famous Angkor Wat, an ANA press release said on Sunday.

Angkor Wat is an important temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap Province in the northwest of the country.

Soy Sophearin, director of the Angkor Wat restoration site, said the restoration work began on May 15 this year and was completed on August 15. The foundation of the structure was strengthened, stairs were repaired and the naga balustrades were returned to their original position.

“Before the repairs, the Naga balustrades had collapsed and were in poor condition, making them unstable,” he said. “The restored Naga balustrades are now stable enough to provide safe footing for visitors, alleviating concerns about a possible collapse.”

Sophearin said the restoration team used appropriate techniques to ensure the longevity of the structure.

He said that in addition to this project, the ANA is also examining other areas for future restoration to improve the preservation of the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The 401 square kilometer Angkor Archaeological Park is home to 91 ancient temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries.

Angkor Park, the kingdom’s most popular tourist destination, attracted a total of 584,375 international tourists in the first seven months of 2024 and generated gross revenue of $27.17 million from ticket sales, according to state-run Angkor Enterprise. ■