Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Choeung Ek Killing Fields)

The Basics

Explore the graves and memorials, including a collection of victims’ clothes and a tree where babies’ heads were bashed to save bullets. An audio guide available with admission features testimonies from victims and one perpetrator and is available in several languages.

Many Phnom Penh city tours include a stop at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, as well as the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia, and Wat Phnom. To learn more about this dark period of Cambodia’s history and leave plenty of time for reflection, consider a Cambodia genocide tour that visits just Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a prison where many victims were held and tortured.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Choeung Ek Killing Fields are a must for travelers who would like to understand Cambodia’s dark history.

• The Killing Fields are not appropriate for young children.

• Please dress respectfully, covering arms and legs, and avoid disrespectful behavior such as laughing and posing for selfies.

• Choeung Ek entry is free for Cambodian citizens.

• Cambodia is a challenging destination for travelers who use wheelchairs. With flat, compacted sand paths and an adapted bathroom, the Choeung Ek Killing Fields are relatively accessible, but the museum and stupa are accessed by stairs.

How to Get There

The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek sit to the south of Phnom Penh, about 6 miles (9 kilometers) from the Royal Palace. With no public transportation, the site is easiest to see on a tour or with a private driver to avoid negotiating with motorcycle taxis, “cyclo” rickshaws, or “remork” (Cambodian tuk-tuks).

When to Get There

The Choeung Ek Killing Fields are open from early morning until late afternoon, seven days a week. It’s worth getting up early to beat the big bus crowds and experience the site in peace and quiet. The site is busiest on weekends.

Cambodia’s Other Genocide Sites

As commemorated in the Oscar-winning film The Killing Fields, Khmer Rouge operatives used the killing fields to murder and then bury untold numbers of Cambodians—generally by beating or hacking to save the cost of bullets. Besides the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, other Khmer Rouge genocide sites include Wat Thmey, near Siem Reap, and the “killing caves” of Phnom Sampeau, outside Battambang.

What are the visiting hours for the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center?

The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, widely known as the Killing Fields, typically is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Closures can happen, so check for updates ahead of your visit.

How much is the entrance fee to Choeung Ek Killing Fields?

The entrance fee to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is around US$5. Discounts are available for students, while Cambodian citizens can enter for free. Anyone under 12 also receives free entry, but the center isn’t appropriate for children. For a more immersive experience, an audio guide is available for a nominal fee, which many travelers recommend if you aren’t visiting with a tour guide.

What is the best way to get to Choeung Ek from Phnom Penh?

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Phnom Penh—a roughly 30-minute tuk-tuk, taxi, bus, or motorbike ride. Tours are a convenient way to get to Choeung Ek, as they often include round-trip transportation from Phnom Penh, plus the services of a local guide.

What can I expect to see at Choeung Ek Genocidal Center?

The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is widely known as the Killing Fields for a reason—in terms of infrastructure, there’s not much there. Visitors will see mass graves, the Tree of Killing, remnants of clothes and bones, a glass-walled stupa filled with skulls, and can walk around paths between the scenes of atrocity.

What is the etiquette for visiting the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center?

Think of visiting the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center as like going to a church or graveyard. It’s recommended to wear clothing that covers your shoulders, stomach, and knees; if you choose to walk inside the stupa, take your shoes off before entering. Note the signs asking you to keep your voice down—this is a site for contemplation and peace.

How long should I plan to spend at Choeung Ek Genocidal Center?

Most visitors spend around 1-2 hours exploring the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, which allows time to listen to the audio guide, take in the memorial stupa, the graves, information displays, and reflect on the site’s history and significance. Those with a particular interest in Cambodian history may wish to spend longer.