Killing Fields

About 17 km (30 minutes tuk tuk ride) on a dusty road outside the city center lies the notorious Killing Fields (Choeung Ek ). Living true to it’s name, the Killing Fields was the mass burial grave site of hundreds of thousands of victims murdered by the Khmer Rouge regime during its reign from 1975-1979. The site now stands as a memorial for all those buried at this site and for the other 1.5 million victims lying in many other mass graves around the country.
Visitors are invited to stroll around the grounds, sit and contemplate the horror that happened at the site. There is also a museum on site dedicated to explaining the tragedies of the Khmer Rouge and representing those who were lost during that time.

Entry to the grounds is $5 with an audio guide that provides a guided explanation to Khmer history and the impact of the Khmer Rouge’s regime.
Although an unbearably sad landmark, visiting the fields is an important way to fully grasp the extent of the genocide that brought Cambodia to its knees in the 70s. It is also a place of respect and reflection, allowing visitors to honour those who lost their lives.

Tip: All tuk tuk drivers know where the Killing Fields are.