Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields)
A somber memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge, offering a profound and essential understanding of Cambodia's tragic past.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Less crowded, more reflective
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields)
Best Time
Less crowded, more reflective
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A somber memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge, offering a profound and essential understanding of Cambodia's tragic past.
"The audio guide is mandatory and incredibly informative, making this a must-visit for understanding Cambodia's history."
🎧 Essential Audio Guide
The audio guide is mandatory for understanding. It's incredibly informative and respectful.
😥 Prepare for Emotion
The stories are disturbing, especially about children. Be emotionally prepared.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 2,033 reviews
Type
History Museum
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Memorial Stupa
Center of the site
A glass-walled stupa filled with thousands of human skulls, a stark testament to the victims.
The Killing Tree
Near the stupa
A brutal reminder of the horrific methods used, where victims were bludgeoned to death.
Mass Graves
Throughout the grounds
Numerous pits where victims were buried, many still visible and marked.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for a Profound Experience
Audio Guide is Key
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎧 Essential Audio Guide
The audio guide is mandatory for understanding. It's incredibly informative and respectful.
😥 Prepare for Emotion
The stories are disturbing, especially about children. Be emotionally prepared.
⏰ Allow Ample Time
Plan for at least 1.5-2 hours to fully absorb the history and reflect.
🙏 Pay Your Respects
Dress modestly and maintain a respectful demeanor throughout your visit.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎧 Essential Audio Guide
The audio guide is mandatory for understanding. It's incredibly informative and respectful.
😥 Prepare for Emotion
The stories are disturbing, especially about children. Be emotionally prepared.
⏰ Allow Ample Time
Plan for at least 1.5-2 hours to fully absorb the history and reflect.
🙏 Pay Your Respects
Dress modestly and maintain a respectful demeanor throughout your visit.
💧 Bring Tissues
Many visitors find themselves moved to tears by the tragic stories.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Choeung Ek Genocidal Center a profoundly moving and essential experience for understanding Cambodia's tragic history. The audio guide is consistently praised for its informative and respectful narrative, making the visit impactful. While deeply disturbing, especially regarding atrocities against children, the site is considered well-managed and a crucial place for remembrance and reflection.
"You have to visit to understand the past and what happened here.
The audio tour is really good. However, it is disturbing at times.
The tree featured towards the end of the tour holds disturbing facts and atrocities about the past.
It can be difficult for some to hear the information about what happened to the babies and children be warned."
Paul Citulski
"Impressive place to visit. When you doubt of going here after visiting Tuol Sleng (S21) Genocide Museum (like I did) still go here; it's add real to understanding what happened."
walter van ruitenbeek
"It is truly terrifying stories while I was visiting for three hours. When I listened with the audio aid device for the cases storytelling my heart is pounding, my eyes are weeping, my emotions are tingling, then I feel sobbing and pause of my listening. Praying for the people who suffered from the loss, pain and trauma. I pay respect and pray for them. The center is very well equipped, managed and informative and convenient. Ticket prices is fairly enough."
Kyaw Win Aung
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common ways to reach the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields) from Phnom Penh are by taxi, tuk-tuk, or organized tour. Tuk-tuks are readily available and offer a more local experience, often costing around $15-20 USD for a round trip including waiting time. Many visitors combine a visit here with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison), so tours often include both.
Yes, it's generally easy to arrange transportation back. If you hired a tuk-tuk for the day, they will wait for you. Otherwise, you can ask staff at the entrance to help you find a tuk-tuk or taxi.
While you can rent a car, it's often more convenient and cost-effective to use local transport like tuk-tuks or join a guided tour, especially if you're not familiar with Cambodian roads.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is located about 15-17 kilometers (9-10 miles) south of Phnom Penh city center. The journey typically takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Public transport options are limited and not as straightforward for tourists. Hiring a tuk-tuk or joining a tour is the most practical approach for most visitors.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entrance fee for the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is typically around $3 USD for entry. The audio guide, which is highly recommended and essential for understanding the site, costs an additional $6 USD for foreigners.
It's generally not necessary to book tickets in advance for the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. You can purchase tickets upon arrival. However, booking a guided tour might be beneficial if you prefer a structured experience.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is typically open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It's advisable to check the most current hours before your visit.
No, the audio guide is an additional cost on top of the entrance fee. Visitors strongly advise getting the audio guide as it's crucial for understanding the site's history.
Information on specific discounts for students or locals is not widely advertised for foreigners. The stated prices are generally for international visitors.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Most visitors spend around 1.5 to 2 hours at the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, especially when utilizing the audio guide. This allows enough time to listen to the narratives and reflect on the exhibits.
It's recommended to dress modestly and respectfully. This means covering your shoulders and knees. Avoid overly casual or revealing clothing as a sign of respect for the victims and the solemn nature of the site.
While children can visit, the content is extremely disturbing and graphic, particularly concerning the atrocities against babies and children. Parents should exercise discretion and be prepared to explain or shield children from the most graphic details.
Yes, there are restrooms available at the site. It's also advisable to bring your own water, especially during warmer months, though some vendors might be present.
Photography is generally permitted at Choeung Ek, but visitors are asked to be respectful. Avoid taking photos of individuals or in areas where it might be considered intrusive or disrespectful. The focus should be on learning and remembrance.
📸 📸 Photography
The memorial stupa, the killing tree, and the various mass grave sites are poignant subjects. Focus on capturing the somber atmosphere and the scale of the tragedy rather than sensationalizing it.
While general photography is allowed, it's crucial to be respectful. Avoid intrusive shots and focus on capturing the historical significance. Some areas might have specific signage regarding photography.
Photos that capture the vastness of the grounds, the starkness of the memorial stupa, and the quiet reflection of visitors can be powerful. The goal is to convey the gravity of the history.
It's best to avoid flash photography out of respect for the solemnity of the site and other visitors. Natural light will likely be more appropriate for capturing the mood.
Lighting can vary depending on the time of day. Mornings often offer softer light, while afternoons can be harsher. The interior of the stupa is illuminated, but the exterior shots depend on natural light.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit