Smiling Angkor: Testament to Yunnan-Siem Reap cultural collaboration
“The Smiling Angkor” is a grand song-and-dance epic drama co-produced by Chinese and Cambodian artists.
Since its debut in November 2010, “The Smiling Angkor,” a grand song-and-dance epic drama co-produced by Chinese and Cambodian artists, has blossomed into a prominent symbol of cultural interchange, illuminating the profound and enduring friendship between the two nations.
As the curtain rose, “The Smiling Angkor,” a masterpiece crafted specifically for tourists visiting Cambodia’s Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, gave voice to a curious child with a string of questions: “Who are you? What’s your name? How old are you? Why are you smiling?” The magnificent production brought the enigmatic four-faced Buddhist idol to life, captivating audiences with its charm and intrigue.
On the brilliantly illuminated stage, a procession of soldiers stands tall, protecting the Angkor Dynasty. The seamless fusion of sound, light, and choreography technology weaves a mesmerizing tale of the timeless Angkor civilization, handed down through the ages. The performers showcase their acrobatic prowess, transitioning through countless postures and forms, beckoning the audience to delve into the origins of the enigmatic smile.
Wang Zhizhen, a talented dancer hailing from Yunnan, takes on the demanding role of the traditional acrobatic lantern rolling performance with remarkable grace, garnering resounding applause after every display. With each performance, her heart swells with deep emotions. Wang said, “‘The Smiling Angkor’ embodies the profound bond between China’s Yunnan Province and Cambodia’s Siem Reap. Within this grand cast from both nations, we are united by a shared dream of progress and growth.”
In November 2010, “The Smiling Angkor,” a grand permanent cultural and tourism production, was unveiled with the support of China’s Ministry of Culture (now China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism) and Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Arts. This remarkable endeavor was brought to life through the substantial investment of the OCT Yunnan Cultural Industry Investment Group.
Ever since its inception as a fruit of the cultural collaboration between Yunnan and Siem Reap, “The Smiling Angkor” has graced the stage in Siem Reap over a thousand times, enchanting an audience of more than 700,000 individuals from over 60 countries across the globe. It has evolved into a cherished cultural treasure, evoking pride in both China and Cambodia. Through this exceptional creation, the indelible essence of culture and the enduring bonds of friendship are perpetuated.
A view of the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Read More: Milestones of Yunnan-Siem Reap Collaboration
In April 2006, Yunnan, China and Siem Reap, Cambodia established a formal sister-province relationship.
In April 2007, Yunnan and Siem Reap reached an agreement on the establishment of an agricultural science and technology demonstration park in Siem Reap. By October 2010, the project was successfully completed.
In October 2016, Yunnan Investment Holdings Group, along with Yunnan Construction and Investment Holdings Group and Yunnan Airport Group (YAG), formed an investment and construction consortium and signed the “Cambodia Siem Reap Angkor International Airport Project Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Agreement” with the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Office in Phnom Penh.
In December 2018, Yunnan initiated the “Promoting Friendly Cities Exchange – China-Cambodia Senior Tourism Talent Seminar” in Siem Reap to foster the development of skilled individuals in the local tourism industry.
In September 2019, the Yunnan Provincial Medical Team launched the ‘Brightness Action” program at the Ophthalmology Hospital of the Provincial Hospital of Siem Reap and the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Center Hospital of Banteay Meanchey in Cambodia. Throughout the program, a total of 127 cataract surgeries were successfully performed.
In November 2021, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province and Siem Reap reached an agreement and signed a letter of intent to establish a friendly cities relationship.
In October 2022, Yunnan launched a people’s well-being project in Siem Reap, assisting a local village with water scarcity in digging 7 deep wells.
On October 16, 2023, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, a significant project resulting from the “Belt and Road” cooperation between China and Cambodia, was officially inaugurated.
Sunglow at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
Text by Yunnan Daily
Translated by YNTA