Cambodia Tourism Board Launches Cultural Pop-up Shows to Bring Living Heritage to Life in Siem Reap

The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) is introducing a new Cultural Pop-up Show initiative, offering the public and travelers the opportunity to experience Cambodia’s rich living heritage through immersive on-site cultural performances twice a week at tourism sites across Siem Reap.

Cambodia Tourism Board Launches Cultural Pop-up Shows to Bring Living Heritage to Life in Siem Reap

The initiative will feature two traditional Cambodian art forms inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Kun Lbokator, Cambodia’s ancient martial art, and Lkhon Sbek Thom, Cambodia’s traditional large shadow theatre.

The performances will take place every Friday and Saturday from 18 September 2026, free of charge, creating new opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in Cambodian culture beyond temple visits and experience Siem Reap in a more dynamic, immersive and memorable way. Kun Lbokator will be performed publicly at the Terrace of the Elephants from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, while the schedule and location for Lkhon Sbek Thom will be announced later on the Cambodia Tourism Board’s social media channels.

H.E. Kim Minea, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board, said:

“Siem Reap has been recognised as one of the world’s top destinations for 2026 by global travel publication Lonely Planet and among the world’s best cultural destinations in the 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. By bringing cultural performances into public spaces across the city, we can add more energy, creativity and moments of surprise to the visitor experience, while giving both local communities and international travellers new opportunities to connect with Cambodia’s living culture and heritage. Through initiatives like these, we aim to further elevate Siem Reap’s city vibe and position it as a more dynamic, vibrant and immersive cultural destination for travellers around the world.”

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Apsara National Authority Siem Reap Provincial Administration for their close cooperation and support in making these performances possible.”

Oknha Lay Kimsour, President of the Cambodian Hotel Association, Siem Reap Chapter, said :

“We fully support this initiative by the Cambodia Tourism Board and would like to see more activities like this organized regularly and expanded to more locations across Siem Reap. Giving visitors more things to see and do especially beyond the temples and into the evening can encourage them to stay longer, explore more areas and spend more with local businesses. More activities, in more places, more often that is how we give visitors more reasons to come, stay longer and experience more of Siem Reap.”

Inspired by the modern concept of a pop-up experience, these performances will bring vibrant Cambodian cultural traditions directly into key visitor spaces, including the Angkor Archaeological Park and Siem Reap town. The shows are designed to create spontaneous moments of cultural discovery that visitors can encounter naturally as part of their journey through the destination.

By extending the range of experiences available into the evening and night time, the initiative aims to encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of the destination, increase spending at local businesses and create more economic opportunities for local communities. More broadly, the initiative showcases Siem Reap as a rich cultural destination with a vibrant city vibe, surrounded by nature and offering diverse experiences throughout the year.