Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum

Exploring Cambodia’s dark past can be a profound and poignant experience. The Half Day Tour to the Killing Fields and S21 Genocidal Museum offers visitors a chance to explore the country’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime. From visiting the haunting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, this tour provides an opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the atrocities faced by the Cambodian people. As one reflects on the sobering realities of this period, the lessons learned can serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of human rights and the need for vigilance against such horrors.

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Key Points

This half-day tour provides a comprehensive exploration of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields, key sites of Khmer Rouge atrocities.
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed private driver, and an English-speaking guide who provides historical context and a safety briefing.
Participants can expect to spend approximately 1.5 hours at each site, with the opportunity to reflect on the emotional impact of the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime.
The tour is priced from $130 per group and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for travelers.
Based on customer reviews, the tour is highly rated for its informative and impactful experience, with the guide praised for their communication and compassion.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

This half-day tour takes visitors to two of the most poignant sites in Phnom Penh, providing an in-depth look at the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime.

Priced from $130 per group, the 4-hour excursion includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed private driver, and an English-speaking guide.

After a safety briefing, guests explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, spending about 1.5 hours at each location.

The tour highlights the emotional impact of this dark chapter in Cambodian history, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

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Itinerary Details

The tour begins with hotel pickup in Phnom Penh, where you will embark on their journey to explore the significant historical sites. First, they’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school converted into a center for torture and death under the Khmer Rouge. After a guided tour and safety briefing, the group will travel to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, a former Chinese cemetery turned extermination camp. Here, they’ll learn about the 8,985 people whose remains were exhumed from mass graves.

| Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum | Choeung Ek Killing Fields |

| — | — |

| 1.5 hours (guided tour, safety briefing) | 1.5 hours (guided tour, safety briefing) |

| Former high school | Former Chinese cemetery |

| Interrogation, torture, and death | Extermination camp |

The tour concludes with a drop-off at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Historical Significance

Tuol Sleng High School, once a peaceful educational institution, was converted into a center for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot.

Over 17,000 people were imprisoned there, and only 7 survived to recount their experiences.

Choeung Ek, a former Chinese cemetery, became an extermination camp where the remains of 8,985 people were exhumed from mass graves.

This tour highlights the emotional impact of the Khmer Rouge’s Communist doctrine and the atrocities experienced by the Cambodian people under their brutal rule.

Tour Inclusions

The tour includes private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed private driver, and a professional guide with a license.

Travelers won’t have to worry about the logistics, as the tour covers toll roads and car parking fees. To ensure comfort and refreshment, the tour provides cold water and wipes.

On top of that, travel insurance is included, giving customers peace of mind during the experience.

With all these amenities and services, the tour aims to create a seamless and stress-free exploration of the Killing Field and S21 Genocidal Museum for its participants.

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Customer Feedback

Unequivocal praise from customers underscores the tour’s impact, with a flawless 5/5 rating based on two reviews. The guide, Chheamg Sreymeamg, was singled out for their excellent communication and compassion while recounting the region’s harrowing history. Reviewers described the tour as informative, highlighting the profound atrocities experienced by the Cambodian people.

| Rating | Reviewer Comments |

| — | — |

| 5/5 | "Excellent communication and compassion from guide" |

| 5/5 | "Tour was highly informative, showcasing the region’s tragic history" |

| 5/5 | "Meaningful experience that left a lasting impact" |

| 5/5 | "Grateful for the opportunity to learn and reflect" |

There's plenty more to explore in Phnom Penh

Visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Visitors entering the grounds of the former Tuol Sleng High School, now known as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, are immediately struck by the somber atmosphere.

Once a detention, torture, and execution center under the Khmer Rouge regime, the museum’s hallways and classrooms stand as haunting reminders of the atrocities committed.

The museum’s hallways and classrooms stand as haunting reminders of the atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge regime.

Guided tours lead visitors through the preserved cells and interrogation rooms, sharing the stories of the 17,000 prisoners who were imprisoned here.

The museum’s stark displays of torture instruments and victim’s photos evoke a profound sense of sorrow and a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s tragic past.

Exploring Choeung Ek Killing Fields

After the solemn experience at Tuol Sleng, the tour continues to Choeung Ek, a former Chinese cemetery transformed into an extermination camp by the Khmer Rouge.

The guide leads visitors through the haunting grounds, sharing the grim history:

Remains of 8,985 victims exhumed from mass graves, a testament to the scale of the atrocities.
Fragments of human bone and teeth still litter the soil, a visceral reminder of the horrors.
Memorials erected to honor the dead, including a Buddhist stupa housing thousands of skulls.

Guests reflect on the emotional impact, leaving with a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s tragic past.

Reflecting on the Khmer Rouge Regime

The Khmer Rouge regime, led by the ruthless Pol Pot, inflicted immense suffering on the Cambodian people. Their communist ideology led to the genocide of nearly 2 million people through forced labor, mass executions, and inhumane conditions. The tour of the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum powerfully conveys the depths of this tragedy. As visitors reflect on the horrors of the past, the lasting impact on Cambodia’s national psyche becomes clear. The atrocities committed serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers of unchecked authoritarian rule and the importance of safeguarding human rights.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring for the Tour?

For this tour, it’s recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a camera to capture the experience, and any personal items you may need. The tour provider will supply bottled water and wipes during the excursion.

Is Food and Water Provided During the Tour?

The tour includes complimentary cold water and wipes, but doesn’t provide food. Participants should bring their own snacks or plan to purchase meals during the tour’s breaks. The focus is on the historical sites, not dining.

Can I Take Photographs at the Sites?

Yes, visitors are generally allowed to take photographs at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields, but they’re asked to be respectful and avoid disrupting the somber atmosphere of these historical sites.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

There are no age restrictions for this tour. Participants of all ages are welcome, though the subject matter may be disturbing for young children. The tour provider recommends parental discretion for minors.

How Accessible Are the Tour Sites for People With Disabilities?

The tour sites are moderately accessible for people with disabilities. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum has wheelchair-friendly paths, while Choeung Ek Killing Fields has some uneven terrain. The tour company can provide assistance upon request to ensure a comfortable experience.

The Sum Up

The Half Day Tour to the Killing Fields and S21 Genocidal Museum offers a profound and educational experience. Visitors gain invaluable insights into Cambodia’s tragic history, confronting the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime. The tour’s inclusion of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields ensures a harrowing yet impactful exploration of this dark chapter, leaving a lasting impression on all who partake.

You can check availability for your dates here: