The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project developed by Chinese enterprises, has emerged as a pivotal link between Cambodia and the Chinese mainland amid the 2025 'Cambodia-China Year of Tourism.'
Since opening in late 2023, the airport has facilitated over 1.2 million passenger arrivals in its first year, with direct flights now connecting Cambodia's cultural heartland to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Cambodian Tourism Ministry data shows Chinese tourist arrivals in Siem Reap surged by 67% year-on-year through mid-2025, revitalizing local businesses while preserving Angkor Wat's UNESCO World Heritage status through sustainable infrastructure design.
"This airport isn't just concrete and steel—it's a bridge for cultural exchange and economic collaboration," remarked a senior Cambodian aviation official during a recent tour. Analysts highlight the project's alignment with ASEAN's post-pandemic recovery agenda, with Chinese investments in Cambodian hospitality and transport infrastructure surpassing $2.3 billion since 2023.
As night markets in Siem Reap adopt mobile payment systems popularized in the Chinese mainland, tourism operators report increasing demand for cross-cultural experiences, from Khmer cooking classes to Silk Road history tours. With 2025 visitor targets set at 5 million, the airport's expansion plans underscore its role in shaping Asia's evolving tourism landscapes.
