Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) - a wall with a bunch of black and white pictures on it
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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

4.6
·12k reviews·Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, S-21 is a stark museum detailing the horrors of the Cambodian genocide.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures

CrowdLow
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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) - a wall with a bunch of black and white pictures on it

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

Best Time

Mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, S-21 is a stark museum detailing the horrors of the Cambodian genocide.

4.6
(12k reviews)

"A difficult but essential visit to truly understand Cambodia’s recent history."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Essential for understanding the history and survivor stories. Available in multiple languages.

🚶 Take Your Time

This is a place of remembrance. Allow ample time for reflection and absorption.

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Prison Cells

Prison Cells

Buildings A, B, C, D

Walk through the stark, preserved cells where prisoners were held. A chilling reminder of the Khmer Rouge's brutality.

Victims' Photographs

Victims' Photographs

Exhibition rooms

See the haunting portraits of those imprisoned and executed at S-21. Faces that tell a story of immense suffering.

Audio Guide Experience

Audio Guide Experience

Throughout the museum

Hear survivor testimonies and historical context, bringing the exhibits to life with powerful narratives.

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Planning Your Visit

Prepare for an Emotional Journey

Tuol Sleng (S-21) is a deeply moving site. Approach your visit with respect and a willingness to learn about Cambodia's tragic past. The audio guide is highly recommended for context and survivor stories. Reddit

Timing and Respect

Allow ample time to absorb the exhibits. This is a place of remembrance, not a typical tourist attraction. Consider visiting before the Killing Fields for a chronological understanding. Reddit

Best Times

When
Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
More reflective atmosphere
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Cambodia - Anyone visited S21 prison and the killing fields?

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Essential for understanding the history and survivor stories. Available in multiple languages. Reddit

🚶 Take Your Time

This is a place of remembrance. Allow ample time for reflection and absorption. Reddit

reddit.com

Best guide for killing fields

reddit.com

Toul Sleng genocide museum, a different experience in Cambodia

💧 Stay Hydrated

No AC inside, so bring water and consider a small fan. Reddit

🤝 Visit with Respect

This is not a typical tourist attraction; approach with solemnity. Reddit

reddit.com

Booking the killing fields, genocide museum and prison s21

Tips

from all over the internet

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Essential for understanding the history and survivor stories. Available in multiple languages. Reddit

🚶 Take Your Time

This is a place of remembrance. Allow ample time for reflection and absorption. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

No AC inside, so bring water and consider a small fan. Reddit

🤝 Visit with Respect

This is not a typical tourist attraction; approach with solemnity. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(12k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors describe Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum as a profoundly moving and essential experience for understanding Cambodia's history. While emotionally heavy, the well-presented exhibits and highly recommended audio guide offer crucial context and survivor testimonies. It's a place of solemn remembrance that leaves a lasting impact.

"Visiting both the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields was one of the most emotional and powerful experiences I’ve had in Cambodia. These places tell the story of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime — not through imagination, but through real evidence, preserved buildings, and the voices of survivors and victims.

At Tuol Sleng (S-21), the entrance fee is $6 and includes an audio guide with headphones, available in about 10 to 12 major world languages — including RUSSIAN, which was a great help for me. You simply put on the headset, and as you walk through the former high school turned prison, the story unfolds in your own language. The museum is quiet and deeply respectful, filled with photographs, personal stories, and untouched prison cells.

Later, when you come to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, the experience continues, you walk through the field where thousands of innocent people were executed. The audio includes survivors’ stories and historical context, and there’s even a moment of silence built into the experience, allowing you to reflect.

The stupa filled with victims’ skulls is a heartbreaking symbol, but it’s also a powerful reminder of what humanity must never allow again. Both places are incredibly respectful in how they present the past — not as a tourist attraction, but as places of remembrance and education.

These visits are emotionally heavy, but absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to understand Cambodia’s recent history. I highly recommend both sites for anyone visiting Phnom Penh — not for fun, but for truth, reflection, and respect."

Para Para

"A difficult but essential visit to truly understand Cambodia’s recent history. This former school turned prison during the Khmer Rouge regime is deeply impactful.

Walking through the cells, seeing victims’ photos, and listening to the audio guide (highly recommended) is a heavy experience that stays with you. It’s not an easy visit, but a necessary one to honor the memory of those who suffered here.

💡 Tip: Take your time and approach it with respect. This is not a tourist attraction — it’s a place of remembrance."

Sergio Merchan

"A must if you are in Phnom Penh.
Very powerful and well done.
The audio tour was great.
I recommend giving yourself a lot of time, there is a lot to take in.
I HIGHLY recommend the audio tour. It allows for you to take breaks and has extra content available."

Matthew Sinclair

What People Like

Powerful audio guide
Preserved prison cells
Historical photographs

What People Dislike

Emotionally difficult
No air conditioning

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Tuk-tuks are the most common and convenient way to reach Tuol Sleng (S-21) from central Phnom Penh. Negotiate your fare beforehand, and it's advisable to arrange for the tuk-tuk to wait for you if you plan to visit the Killing Fields afterward. Ride-sharing apps like Grab are also available and offer fixed prices. Reddit

Yes, many visitors combine these two significant historical sites. It's often recommended to visit Tuol Sleng first, followed by the Killing Fields, for a more chronological understanding of the events. You can hire a tuk-tuk or taxi for the entire day to take you between both locations. Reddit

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is typically open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It's best to check the official website or confirm locally for any updated hours before your visit. Reddit

The travel time from Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum can vary depending on traffic, but it generally takes around 30-45 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk. Reddit

While direct public buses to Tuol Sleng are not common, you can take a local bus towards the general area and then a short tuk-tuk ride to the museum. However, for ease and directness, tuk-tuks and ride-sharing apps are more popular choices. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The entrance fee for Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is typically $5 USD without the audio guide and $10 USD with the audio guide. Prices are subject to change, so it's wise to confirm upon arrival. Reddit

No, the audio guide is an additional cost. It is highly recommended as it provides crucial context and survivor stories that are not extensively detailed on the exhibits themselves. Reddit

Currently, there isn't a widely advertised online ticketing system for Tuol Sleng. Tickets are typically purchased on-site upon arrival. Reddit

Information on specific discounts for students or seniors is not always readily available. It's best to inquire at the ticket counter upon your visit. Reddit

The admission fee grants you access to the museum grounds, including the former prison buildings, exhibition rooms displaying photographs and artifacts, and the preserved cells. The audio guide is a separate purchase. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The most impactful way to experience Tuol Sleng is by using the audio guide. It provides a narrative that walks you through the history and personal stories of the victims, making the visit deeply moving and educational. Reddit

Most visitors spend between 1.5 to 3 hours at Tuol Sleng, depending on how thoroughly they engage with the audio guide and exhibits. It's a place that encourages reflection, so don't rush your visit. Reddit

Photography is generally permitted in most outdoor areas and some exhibition rooms. However, it's important to be respectful and avoid taking photos inside the actual prison cells or of sensitive exhibits where signs may indicate otherwise. Reddit

Tuol Sleng is a very somber and graphic site. While educational, it may be too intense for young children. Parents should use their discretion based on their child's maturity level. Reddit

Dress respectfully. As this is a former prison and a place of remembrance, modest clothing is appropriate. Avoid revealing attire. Comfortable shoes are recommended as you'll be walking. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography inside the actual prison cells is often restricted to maintain the solemnity of the space. Look for signage indicating where photography is allowed or prohibited. Reddit

The exterior of the buildings, the courtyard, and some of the exhibition rooms with historical photographs offer poignant photographic opportunities. Focus on capturing the atmosphere and historical significance. Reddit

It's generally advisable to avoid using flash photography, especially in indoor exhibition areas, to preserve the artifacts and maintain a respectful environment. Reddit

A camera that handles low-light conditions well is beneficial, as some indoor areas can be dimly lit. However, a smartphone camera is perfectly adequate for capturing the essence of the site. Reddit

Many visitors find the rows of preserved prison cells and the exterior architecture of the former school to be particularly striking. The starkness of the environment is often a focus. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a very sensitive and emotionally charged site. Due to the graphic nature of the exhibits, including photographs of torture and death, it is generally not recommended for young children. Parents should carefully consider their child's maturity and emotional capacity before deciding to visit. Reddit

If you do decide to visit with older teenagers, it is crucial to prepare them beforehand and discuss the historical context. The audio guide can be helpful in providing age-appropriate explanations, but parental guidance and support throughout the visit are essential. The focus should be on education and remembrance, approached with sensitivity and respect.

🤔 Reflective Travelers

For travelers seeking to understand Cambodia's recent history on a deeper level, Tuol Sleng is an indispensable stop. The museum's preservation of the former prison, combined with the powerful audio guide, offers an unparalleled insight into the Khmer Rouge regime's brutality. Reddit

Approach this visit with an open mind and a willingness to confront difficult truths. Allow yourself ample time to process the information and the emotional weight of the experience. Many find it beneficial to visit the Killing Fields afterward to complete their understanding of the genocide. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The History of S-21

Tuol Sleng, originally a Phnom Penh high school, was transformed into Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime in 1975. It became one of the most notorious centers for torture and execution, holding thousands of prisoners, most of whom were later sent to the Killing Fields. The regime meticulously documented its victims, creating a chilling archive of photographs and confessions.

The museum today preserves the grim reality of S-21. Visitors can walk through the former classrooms, now converted into cramped prison cells, some still containing the remnants of torture devices. The walls are adorned with the haunting photographs of prisoners taken upon their arrival, their faces etched with fear and despair. The audio guide, narrated by survivors and historians, provides a deeply personal and harrowing account of the atrocities committed within these walls. Reddit

Visiting Tuol Sleng is a profound and often difficult experience. It serves as a stark reminder of the human capacity for cruelty and the importance of remembering such dark chapters in history to prevent their recurrence. The museum's preservation is a testament to the Cambodian people's resilience and their commitment to truth and reconciliation. Reddit

The Audio Guide: A Survivor's Voice

The audio guide at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is widely praised as an essential component of the visit. It offers a comprehensive narrative, weaving together historical facts with the personal testimonies of survivors and the stories of those who perished. Available in multiple languages, it allows visitors to engage with the exhibits at their own pace and in their own language. Reddit

Through the audio guide, you'll hear firsthand accounts of the interrogation methods, the daily struggles for survival, and the immense psychological toll on the prisoners. It provides context for the photographs and artifacts displayed, transforming a silent museum into a living testament to the victims' experiences. The guide also includes warnings about graphic content, allowing visitors to prepare themselves or opt out of certain segments if needed. Reddit

Many visitors emphasize that the audio guide elevates the experience from simply observing a historical site to deeply understanding the human tragedy. It ensures that the stories of the Khmer Rouge victims are not forgotten and are conveyed with the gravity and respect they deserve. Reddit

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