Cambodia’s Angkor Heritage Site Attracts over 460,000 Chinese Tourists in 9 Months

PHNOM PENH— The Cambodia's famed Angkor archeological park received 460,045 Chinese tourists, or 29.4 percent of the total tourists to the park, during the first nine months of 2016, according to the latest figures released on Thursday.

China was the largest source of tourists to the ancient site during the January-September period this year, followed by South Korea and the United States, according to the figures from the state-run Angkor Enterprise, which is in charge of ticket sales at the park.

Some 182,965 South Korean tourists and 111,819 American visitors sight-saw the park during the period this year, the figures showed.

According to the Angkor Enterprise, the Angkor welcomed a total of 1.56 million foreigners from 167 countries and regions during the January-September period this year, earning a gross revenue of 44.4 million U.S. dollars from ticket sales.

Located in the northwestern Siem Reap province, the Angkor archaeological park, inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1992, is the kingdom's top tourist destination.

In August, the Angkor Enterprise announced that ticket prices for foreigners visiting the site would be increased from February 1, 2017.

The entrance fee for a one-day visit to the site will be raised to 37 U.S. dollars, from the current 20 U.S. dollars, it said.

The price for a three-day visit will be increased to 62 U.S. dollars, from the current 40 U.S. dollars, and for a week-long visit pass, the ticket will cost 72 U.S. dollars, from the current 60 U.S. dollars.