Cambodia’s newest museum opens – funded by North Korea
Cambodia newest tourist attraction opened these days: A new museum largely funded by North Korea, Angkor Panorama Museum. Five years in the making, the 1,800 square-meter institution, located near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, is evidence of the growing ties between North Korea and Cambodia, one of the Communist nation’s few allies.
The museum took five years and $24 million to build and showcases the history of the Angkor civilisation. North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Project Group will operate the museum in conjunction with the Cambodian government for ten years, after which management of the museum will be handed over to the Apsara Authority. For the first ten years, museum profits will be shared equally by North Korea and Cambodia.
The museum has been designed by Pyongyang-based Mansudae Art Studio, North Korea’s nationally-run art factory, which is largely-known for producing massive Soviet-esque monuments for African countries, including Namibia, Senegal, Benin and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 50 North Korean artists reportedly contributed their work in Angkor Wat.
The artwork glorifies life under the ancient Khmer kingdom. Attractions include a 3D movie about Khmer stone cutting and transportation, hundreds of paintings of an idyllic Cambodia, a to-scale copy of a massive Buddha statue at Angkor Wat’s Bayon temple, and a 35-meter-long panoramic mural depicting life and war in the Angkorian era that gives the museum its name.
Entrance is free for the general information Section. To view the panoramic painting, visitors must purchase an admission ticket for $15. Tickets for the 25-minute 3D film cost an additional $5.
Cambodia and North Korea have long been on relatively good political terms. The current North Korean embassy in Phnom Penh was given to the North Koreans by Cambodia’s previous King Norodom Sihanouk.
The location of the Angkor Panorama Museum is here.
[caption id="attachment_27333" align="alignleft" width="300"] Angkor Panorama Museum[/caption] Cambodia newest tourist attraction opened these days: A new museum largely funded by North Korea, Angkor Panorama Museum. Five years in the making, the 1,800 square-meter institution, located near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, is evidence of the growing ties between North Korea and Cambodia, one of the Communist nation's few allies. The museum took five years and $24 million to build and showcases the history of the Angkor civilisation. North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Project Group will operate the museum in conjunction with the Cambodian government for ten years, after...
Cambodia newest tourist attraction opened these days: A new museum largely funded by North Korea, Angkor Panorama Museum. Five years in the making, the 1,800 square-meter institution, located near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, is evidence of the growing ties between North Korea and Cambodia, one of the Communist nation’s few allies.
The museum took five years and $24 million to build and showcases the history of the Angkor civilisation. North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Project Group will operate the museum in conjunction with the Cambodian government for ten years, after which management of the museum will be handed over to the Apsara Authority. For the first ten years, museum profits will be shared equally by North Korea and Cambodia.
The museum has been designed by Pyongyang-based Mansudae Art Studio, North Korea’s nationally-run art factory, which is largely-known for producing massive Soviet-esque monuments for African countries, including Namibia, Senegal, Benin and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 50 North Korean artists reportedly contributed their work in Angkor Wat.
The artwork glorifies life under the ancient Khmer kingdom. Attractions include a 3D movie about Khmer stone cutting and transportation, hundreds of paintings of an idyllic Cambodia, a to-scale copy of a massive Buddha statue at Angkor Wat’s Bayon temple, and a 35-meter-long panoramic mural depicting life and war in the Angkorian era that gives the museum its name.
Entrance is free for the general information Section. To view the panoramic painting, visitors must purchase an admission ticket for $15. Tickets for the 25-minute 3D film cost an additional $5.
Cambodia and North Korea have long been on relatively good political terms. The current North Korean embassy in Phnom Penh was given to the North Koreans by Cambodia’s previous King Norodom Sihanouk.
The location of the Angkor Panorama Museum is here.
