“Angkor and China: Ceramic Roof Tiles Traditions and Maritime Trade Road” Exhibition

co-organized by APSARA National Authority and Department of Anthropology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

June 3 – December 31, 2025

Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The “Angkor and China: Ceramic Roof Tile Traditions and Maritime Trade Road” exhibition aims to unveil the latest archaeological discoveries that bring to life the craftsmanship of Khmer ceramic tiles and vessels.

Step into the world of Angkor, where towering stone temples meet wooden structures crowned with ceramic roof tiles. To discover the hidden connections between Angkor and ancient China, we showcase how Khmer artisans skillfully emulated Chinese techniques with their creativity, crafting a unique ceramic style that defined Angkor’s golden age from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

Angkor’s Stone Architecture and Ceramic Tiles

During the Angkor period (802–1431 CE), Khmer ceramic tiles, inspired by Chinese techniques, marked the production of glazed ceramics. The exhibition showcases the construction methods of Angkorian and Chinese tiles, offering insights into how ancient builders laid these tiles on rooftops. Beyond mere decoration, these ceramics embody the prosperity and vibrancy of ancient Khmer society and its connections with China along the maritime trade road.

3D Models of Angkor and Chinese Tiles

An interactive educational corner features cutting-edge ArtTech, presenting 3D models of Angkorian ceramic tiles alongside those from China’s Nanhan ceramic tiles in Guangzhou. Visitors can also explore videos detailing the production and archaeological discoveries of Angkorian tiles, as well as a 2D animation reconstructing the Nanhan Palace in Guangzhou.

Engage in a postcard stamping activity where visitors collect stamps across exhibition zones to create a complete design, crafting a unique postcard. Don’t miss the photo opportunity at the Customs of Cambodia (by Zhou Daguan, Yuan Dynasty) photo booth, where you can immerse yourself in the social life of ancient Khmer and Chinese communities.

This exhibition is the second one co-organized with the APSARA National Authority and the Department of Anthropology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, following the success of the first exhibition in Hong Kong in 2017. Led by our teacher Wong Wai-yee, Sharon, alongside four student interns (Andrew Cai, Joscelyn Hui, Carmen Lam and Lacey Li) and supported by the Nanyue King Museum and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library, this exhibition aims to share our collaborative research findings with the general public and to provide a fresh perspective on Angkor’s legacy and its dynamic cultural connections with China.

The exhibition is held on the first and second floors of the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from June 3 to December 31, 2025. Admission is US$3, which includes access to the special exhibition, permanent display, and guided tour.

Note:

APSARA National Authority

Established in 1995, the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA National Authority) is a Cambodian public administrative institution dedicated to the conservation of the Angkor Archaeological Park. It oversees research, restoration, community engagement, international collaboration, and tourism development for this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum

Jointly established by the APSARA National Authority and Sophia University, Japan, the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing archaeological artifacts from the Banteay Kdei Temple and Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

「吳哥與中國：陶瓷瓦件的傳統和海上絲綢之路」展覽

由吳哥保護局和香港中文大學人類學系合辦

2025.6.3-12.31

柬埔寨暹粒西哈努克吳哥博物館

「吳哥與中國：陶瓷瓦件的傳統和海上絲綢之路」展覽透過最新考古發現，介紹高棉陶瓷瓦件和器皿別具匠心的工藝。

本展覽將會帶你走進神秘的吳哥世界，高聳的石砌寺廟與陶瓷瓦片鋪頂的木建築相映成趣。你將會發現，高棉工匠是如何借鑒中國技術，透過自身創造力及獨特的陶瓷風格，展現吳哥王朝 9至 15 世紀的黃金時代。

吳哥石砌建築與陶瓷瓦件

吳哥時期（公元802-1431年）高棉陶瓷瓦件受中國啟發，高棉人開始生產帶釉陶瓷瓦件。展覽展示吳哥和中國瓦件的砌築方式，有助觀眾瞭解古人如何鋪砌瓦件在屋頂上。這些陶瓷不僅是建築的點綴，更承載了古代高棉社會的繁榮與活力，以及通過海上絲綢之路與中國之間的文化聯繫。

重構吳哥與中國瓦件的3D模型

展覽特設互動教育角，首次運用藝術科技展示吳哥時期的陶瓷瓦件與廣州南漢時期中國瓦件的3D模型，並以影片介紹吳哥陶瓷瓦件的生產及考古發現，及廣州南漢王宮重構2D動畫短片。

展覽設有明信片蓋章活動，參觀者可在展覽各區尋找蓋章點拼出完整展覽圖案，製作出屬於自己的明信片。請勿錯過在元朝周達觀《真臘風土記》打卡位，參觀者可模擬古代中柬人民的社會生活，拍照留念。

本展覽由吳哥保護局與香港中文大學人類學系聯合舉辦，是繼2017年香港首次成功舉行展覽後的第二次合作。是次策展及研究計劃由人類學系老師黃慧怡帶領，連同四位實習學生（蔡耀峰、許靖彤、林曉彤和李婧玥）和吳哥保護局考古學家及博物館人員共同合作，南越王博物院和香港中文大學圖書館協辦，通過展示合作研究成果，為大家呈現吳哥與古代中國的文化交流故事。

展覽於柬埔寨暹粒省西哈努克-吳哥博物館的一樓及二樓展廳舉行，展期由2025年6月3日至12月31日。展覽門票為3美元（含特展、常設展及導賞參觀服務）。

注：

吳哥保護局 （APSARA National Authority） 是柬埔寨公營管理機構，成立於1995年，負責保育吳哥考古公園，以及對吳哥此世界遺產進行研究、修復、社區參與、國際合作和旅遊開發等工作。

柬埔寨西哈努克-吳哥博物館是由吳哥保護局和日本上智大學共同成立，主要保育和展示在吳哥班蒂喀黛廟發現的文物及柬埔寨文化遺產的博物館。