Overcrowding Puts Limit To Angkor Temple Sunset-Watching

Sunset-watching in an Angkor Temple in Cambodia will be limited to 300 people after it was seen that the effects of overcrowding would ruin the the place. Located on top of a hill, the Phnom Bakheng temple has been a popular site for viewing sunsets and has driven thousands of tourists to visit the site on just one day.

Apsara's Tourism Management Agency said that the number of tourists going to Phnom Bakheng on sunsets might threaten to damage the historic site. At the moment, the organization is mulling over possible options to lessen the crowd.

Other than the restriction in visitors, Phoeun Sophoan, president of the agency, was reported as saying that authorities will also "arrange places for tourists to see the sunset on the hill without going up to the temple." Meanwhile, other travel companies have suggested like a gondola or a cruise on the moat of Angkor Thom would be ideal for redirecting travelers.

Ethan Crowley from About Asia told The Telegraph that his agency has been driving tourists away from the sunset-watching at Phnom Bakheng for years. He himself has experienced getting squeezed in a mass of thousands of people on the temple.

Crowley proposed the boat rides as a means to curb travelers on top of the hill. He explained that it might be likely to rent out boats on the West Baray reservoir and cruise on an ancient lake by Angkor, and finish the day by having dinner at Villa Chandara restaurant.

Despite ticket increases on Angkor's entrance, still, it did not hamper the number of visitors to the Angkor Historical Park. On February, tourists will pay as much as 50 percent high than its usual price. A one-day pass to Angkor temples is set to $37 from $20, a three-day pass of $62 from $40, and a week-long tour will get one of $72 instead of $60.