More than any of the other traditional arts, Cambodia's royal ballet is tangible link with the glory of Angkor. Its traditions stretched long in the past, when the art of the apsara (nymph) resounded to the glory the divine king. Early in his reign, King Sihanouk released the tradition harem of royal apsara that went with the crown. Nevertheless, priori the Pol Pot regime, classical ballet was still taught at the palace.

Dance fared particularly badly during the Pol Pot years. Very few dancers and teachers survived, including one old woman who was the on one who knew how to make the elaborate costumes that are sewn pie by piece onto the dancers before a performance. In 1981, with a handful of teachers, the University of Fine Arts was reopened and the training i dance students resumed.

Much of Cambodian royal dance resembles that of India and Thailand (it has the same stylised hand movements, the same sequined, Iame’ costumes and the same opulent stupa-like headwear), as the Thais learnt their techniques from the Khmers after sacking Angkor in the 15th century. Where royal dance was traditionally an all-female affair (with the exception of the role of the monkey), there are now more male dancers featured.