Choeung Ek is the best known of the sites where the Khmer Rouge killed and buried people between 1975 and 1979, and it lies about fifteen kilometres south of central Phnom Penh. Many of those brought here had first been held at Tuol Sleng. Today it is a memorial and a place of reflection rather than a spectacle. Visitors walk a path past the excavated mass graves and, at the centre, a memorial stupa that holds the remains of victims. The experience is led by an audio guide that is included with admission, runs for about an hour and a half and includes testimony from survivors and former guards. It is moving, factual and quietly presented. After heavy rain, fragments of bone and cloth can surface on the paths, and signs ask visitors not to touch or move them. The site is best approached with time, silence and respect, and many people prefer to give themselves space afterward.
Getting there
The site is on the southern edge of the city, about thirty to forty minutes by tuk-tuk from the centre. Most visitors travel by tuk-tuk or car, often arranged through a hotel, and some combine the visit with Tuol Sleng in a single half day. The audio guide is included with admission and is available in several languages, and it is the main way the site is interpreted. Check current opening hours and the entry fee before you go, because they can change.
Conduct
Dress modestly, keep your voice low and do not pose for photos. Please do not touch or move any bone or cloth fragments that surface after rain. Some visitors find it helpful to walk slowly, to pause at the stupa and to leave the audio guide on pause when they need a moment. Children are admitted, but the content is distressing, and parents should think carefully about whether it is right for younger visitors.
Making the most of it
Give yourself at least two hours so you are not rushed, and avoid planning a heavy schedule around it. Going in the morning, before the heat builds, is more comfortable. The audio guide gives names, dates and survivors’ words, and many travellers say it is the most affecting part of the visit. If you are combining the sites in one day, plan a quiet lunch and a gentle afternoon afterward, such as a river walk.
What to expect
The experience
A self-paced walk along a path past the excavated graves, guided by an audio guide, ending at the memorial stupa.
Best time
Go in the morning, when it is cooler and quieter, and give yourself space afterward.
How long
Plan on about two hours, with the audio guide itself running about an hour and a half.
Tips
Dress modestly, keep your voice low, do not pose for photos, do not touch fragments on the paths and check current hours and fees before you go.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want to understand the Khmer Rouge years and are prepared for a restrained, emotionally heavy visit.
- Families
- The content is distressing, so it is best suited to older teenagers and adults; parents should decide in advance.
- Couples
- A meaningful but sombre visit; plan something quiet and gentle afterward.
- Pair with
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the same day or on a separate one, and a quiet river walk later.
- Time needed
- Two hours on site plus about an hour of travel each way.
Good questions
How far is Choeung Ek from central Phnom Penh?+
It is about fifteen kilometres south of the centre, roughly thirty to forty minutes by tuk-tuk. Most visitors arrange a tuk-tuk or car through their hotel.
Is an audio guide included at Choeung Ek?+
Yes, the audio guide is included with admission. It runs about an hour and a half and includes testimony from survivors and former guards.
What is the etiquette at the Choeung Ek memorial?+
Dress modestly, keep your voice low and do not pose for photos. Do not touch or move any bone or cloth fragments that can surface on the paths after heavy rain.
Can I visit Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek on the same day?+
Yes, many visitors do, as the two sites are linked historically. Others prefer separate days, since both are emotionally heavy, so plan the pace that suits you.
Is Choeung Ek suitable for children?+
Children are admitted, but the content is distressing and best suited to older teenagers and adults. Parents should consider carefully before bringing younger children.
