Tuol Sleng (S-21) — Phnom Penh

Former secondary school turned into a detention and torture center by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. About 17,000 people were imprisoned here; fewer than 15 survived. The buildings are preserved as they were on the day of liberation. Photos of the detainees — methodically taken at the entrance — cover the walls of several rooms.

The visit takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. An English and French audio guide is available at the entrance (3 USD). Several survivors regularly share their testimonies on-site — an experience that goes far beyond just the visit.

Entry 15 USD (audio guide included since 2022)
Hours 8 AM - 5:30 PM daily
Recommended Duration 1.5 to 2.5 hours

Choeung Ek — The Killing Fields

Located 15 km south of Phnom Penh, the site of Choeung Ek is one of the 300 execution and mass burial sites of the Khmer Rouge. Prisoners from S-21 were transferred here to be executed. A glass stupa contains the skulls of 5,000 victims. The site is covered with trees and grass — peaceful on the surface, unbearable when you understand what you are walking on.

The audio guide (included in the entry) is one of the best we've heard in Cambodia — sober, precise, with testimonies from survivors. Plan for 1.5 hours.

Entry 6 USD (audio guide included)
Hours 8 AM - 5:30 PM daily
Access from PP Tuk-tuk (~10-12 USD round trip + waiting) or Grab

National Museum of Phnom Penh

The building itself is worth a look — a Khmer architecture from 1920 surrounding a courtyard with a pond and statues. The collections cover 2,000 years of Khmer art: pre-Angkorian sculptures, Angkor statuary, bronzes, ceramics. Most of the masterpieces saved from Angkor are here, not on the sites.

Entry: 10 USD. French audio guide available. Duration: 1 to 2 hours.

Angkor National Museum — Siem Reap

A modern museum (opened in 2007) designed to prepare visitors for the temple visit. Timeline of Khmer civilization, presentation of Hindu and Buddhist deities, thematic rooms on Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Ideal to do the day before your first visit to the temples — it profoundly changes what you understand on-site.

Entry: 12 USD. Well air-conditioned, useful for resting after a morning in the temples.

Our Recommendation: If you visit only one museum in Phnom Penh and have the emotional capacity to do so — go to S-21. If you visit both genocide sites, space them out over two days. And give yourself time afterward to decompress, preferably away from the noise of the shopping streets.

Guided Museum Tours

GetYourGuide — Guided Tours of S-21 & Choeung Ek
English-speaking historian guide · In-depth historical context · Transport included
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Questions fréquentes

Yes, photography is allowed in most areas — except for the rooms containing photos of victims, out of respect. Check the signs at the entrance of each building. The site regularly organizes temporary exhibitions — some areas may be partially closed.

1 to 2 hours depending on your interest in Khmer art. If you visit Angkor, this museum is complementary — you will recognize styles, deities, and inscriptions that you will see later on the temples. The shop offers good reproductions at reasonable prices.