Hidden behind lush tropical forests, the ancient stone temples of Angkor stand as silent witnesses to the grandeur of the Khmer Empire. Built as early as the 9th century, these architectural marvels have endured centuries of weathering, war and neglect. Yet today, thanks to international restoration efforts, much of their ancient splendor has been meticulously revived.

Among those leading the charge was Jin Zhaoyu, a middle-aged Chinese cultural relics expert whose passion for preservation has brought him to Cambodia’s sacred ruins.

For years, Jin and his team from the China Academy of Cultural Heritage have worked to restore Ta Keo Temple, one of Angkor’s most iconic structures.

The pyramid-shaped temple occupies 46,000 square meters, which is larger than two football pitches. It is considered one of the most magnificent temples in Angkor and a popular tourist attraction.

When Jin Zhaoyu first arrived there in 2013, Ta Keo was in dire condition. Centuries of monsoons, vegetation overgrowth and structural instability had left it crumbling. 

Jin likens his work to that of a doctor.

“We carefully analyze the ‘symptoms’ of deterioration, diagnose the causes, and then prescribe a treatment," he explains. His approach is methodical: every stone, every carving must be documented, studied and returned to its rightful place.

A monumental challenge

The restoration was no small feat. Unlike many Angkor temples adorned with intricate carvings, Ta Keo was left unfinished—its stones largely uncarved after a lightning strike was interpreted as a bad omen.

“Without carvings as reference points, reassembling the fallen stones was like solving a giant 3D puzzle,” Jin recalls.

He and his fellow Chinese experts employed 3D modeling and meticulous cataloging to match each stone. They followed the "minimal interference" principle—avoiding unnecessary alterations and using reversible techniques to preserve the temple’s authenticity.

This principle has been a consensus among Chinese cultural relics experts. And it is in line with the ICC-Angkor Charter, a detailed list of principles and rules guiding the international restoration work at Angkor.

The ICC-Angkor is an international coordinating mechanism for the assistance provided by different countries and organizations for the safeguarding and development of the historical site of Angkor.

In addition to the Chinese team, other restoration groups have included those from France, Japan and the United States.  At the invitation of Cambodia, China is among the first batch of countries to join the international restoration and protection program for Angkor.

With its long history and rich cultural heritage, China boasts rich experience in preserving and restoring various kinds of historical relics.

Prior to the Ta Keo Temple project, in 2008, Chinese restorers had already completed a ten-year-long restoration of the Chau Say Tevoda Temple, which is smaller than Ta Keo.

Soon afterwards, as China gained more experience in the restoration and preservation of the Angkor relics, Chinese restorers were invited to take charge of the restoration project of the larger and more complex Ta Keo Temple.

At different stages, archeologists, architects, engineers and other kinds of experts from China rotated to work on the ground for the restoration of Ta Keo. In total, around 60 Chinese experts and engineers have been involved in the project.

Debates and innovations

Not all decisions were unanimous. In 2017, Jin Zhaoyu and his fellow Chinese experts disagreed with experts from other countries over how to stabilize a leaning pediment (a decorative column). While some advocated drilling steel bars into the stones, the Chinese team proposed a less invasive method: steel wires with rubber buffers to prevent corrosion.

"We must leave room for future restorers to improve upon our work," Jin argued. After heated discussions, the Chinese approach prevailed. And the whole restoration project for the Ta Keo Temple ended successfully in 2018.

Bridging cultures through restoration

Beyond technical expertise, Jin Zhaoyu’s mission included training Cambodian workers—many of whom had never worked in conservation.

“Our goal is to empower them to preserve their own heritage,” he says.

The collaboration fostered deep bonds. Local workers invited Jin to weddings and family celebrations, while he gained profound respect for their reverence toward Angkor.

“They touch the stones gently, as if greeting an ancestor," he observes.

As a sign of its profound trust in China and Chinese restorers, the Cambodian government commissioned the Chinese to restore the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom in 2018 when the Ta Keo project ended.

The new restoration project is much more massive and complex than the restoration of Ta Keo. It started in 2019 and will last for more than a decade.

In December 2022, the Cambodian government awarded Jin Zhaoyu the "Knight Class" medal, a high honor, for his contributions.

For the Chinese expert, his work is far from over. Now traveling globally to conserve various heritage sites, he remains driven by a singular mission: To ensure the echoes of ancient civilizations are never forgotten.

Yin Xiuqi is a reporter with CGTN and works on“Footprints”, a podcast exploring personal stories behind China’s global connections.