Tourists are recreating the ‘Temple Run’ video game in a Cambodian temple

August 28, 2024

It’s a real-life Temple Run.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, has received an influx of tourists reportedly disrespecting their religious structure by replicating a Temple Run mobile game experience that was very popular in 2011.

The gaming application established by Imagini Studios follows an explorer with an ancient relic as they run from creatures chasing them. Due to the structure’s similarity to the game, tourists have sparked a new challenge copying the app experience on camera.

Several tourists have posted content online revealing how they’re galavanting through the ancient temple similar to “Guy Dangerous,” one of the main characters in the video game. The viral trend, dubbed #templerunchallenge has garnered millions of views.

In a 30-second clip posted by tourist Chiara Contino, she’s seen running through the temples and jumping over hurdles as music from the game plays behind her.

She recalled the experience as “Temple Run in real life,” on TikTok.

Another adventure lover, Roy, who goes by @theroyb on TikTok, demonstrated how he emulated the video game in real life. He made large leaps across unsteady grounds inside the temple and even incorporated a somersault to collect points, but his conquest was short-lived when audio signaled he ran into something, ending the game.

He captioned the viral clip, posted on Aug.1 with over 1.2 million views, “[I] was actually chased by monkeys.”

While the TikTokers enjoy their expedition through the 900-year-old Cambodian temple complex built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, it has some conservationists and historians concerned about the safety and preservation of the religious temple.

“People often forget that Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temple sites are places of living cultural heritage for Cambodian people,” Alison Carter, an archaeology professor at the University of Oregon specializing in Southeast Asia, told Business Insider. “If one wouldn’t do something in a church or a mosque, they shouldn’t do it in an Angkorian temple.”

Historians want to ensure the temple isn’t damaged by clumsy tourists but also not diminish the spiritual and cultural value.

“I cannot believe the temple authorities haven’t put a stop to it immediately,” Brouwer told the Business Insider, “Allowing brain-dead idiots to run through the temple, jumping up and down, is a combined accident and disaster waiting to happen.”

However, local Cambodians online are more relaxed about the tourists’ engagement with the ancient temple.

“Thank you for this trending temple run of our beautiful temple and visiting our beautiful country,” one person commented underneath Roy’s viral video.

Meanwhile, underneath Contino’s TikTok clip, she received a large engagement from locals who thanked her for visiting their country.

“Thank you for promoting Cambodia. Welcome to Cambodia,” wrote a watcher.

“Wow, thank you so much for supporting Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. I admired a TikToker.

“We appreciate your visiting,” professed another. “Love you.”

The viral trend has encouraged other travelers to visit the country and check out the Temple Run experience.

“Wow, this is real,” wrote a shocked viewer. “Oh my gosh.”

“A very beautiful place I would love to go to Cambodia,” commented one person.