CARVING FRIENDSHIP: SIEM REAP GAINS WITH DATONG

China, Cambodia foster economic cooperation, boost people-to-people exchanges through culture, tourism

Editor's note: Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. China Daily will come out with a series of stories highlighting Chinese cities' special connections with sister cities, mutual understanding, trust and friendship between peoples of different countries and cultural backgrounds, and shining light on "city diplomacy".

The Yungang Grottoes of North China and the Angkor Wat temple complex of Cambodia are 3,000 kilometers apart, but together these ancient treasures are forging new identities that are helping bring the countries together.

The grottoes were carved into cliffs in the 5th century, and Angkor Wat sprang up in the 12th century. And they seemed to take on two distinct roles: Yungang in Datong, Shanxi province, guarded China's overland Silk Road, and Angkor Wat in Siem Reap thrived through the influence of the Maritime Silk Road.