Choeung Ek "killing fields"

Located 17 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh, Choeung Ek serves as a memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Quiet and peaceful today, this place preserves numerous remnants of a tragic and horrifying chapter in Cambodia’s history. For those drawn to powerful historical sites, it offers a haunting experience reminiscent of a dramatic film.

History

Between 1975 and 1979, Choeung Ek was used as an execution site and mass grave for prisoners of the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot. At the time, detainees were transported from the notorious S-21 prison by guards, only to be executed upon arrival—often in brutal fashion. Orders were given to carry out the killings using picks, hammers, or machetes instead of bullets.

The site was first discovered in early 1979 by a local farmer from the village of Choeung Ek, shortly after the fall of the Pol Pot regime.

Visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Covering an area of 20,000 square meters, Choeung Ek is the largest of Cambodia’s known killing fields. At its center stands a striking 17-tiered white stupa. Built in 1988, this Buddhist stupa commemorates the victims of the Khmer Rouge.

Erected on a square base, the stupa features traditional Khmer architecture with intricately constructed roofing. Two tiers surround its sharp spire, each topped with a decorative finial.

Known as the Memorial Stupa, the structure is particularly notable for housing 8,985 human skulls and bones that were exhumed from the mass graves. According to experts, these remains belong to approximately 17,000 people executed at the site, including women and children. Arranged by age and gender, the skulls still bear visible marks of the trauma inflicted during their torture and execution.

The grounds contain more than 129 mass graves, around 80 of which have been excavated. Upon close inspection, you may still see remnants such as bone fragments and tattered clothing within the pits.

Growing near the orchard stands a centuries-old tree that remains a silent witness to the atrocities committed here. During the genocide, guards used this tree to hang a loudspeaker that played music to mask the screams of the victims. Today, visitors tie friendship bracelets around its base as a gesture of remembrance and solidarity.

The best time to visit is in May, particularly on May 9th, when the local authorities organize an annual memorial ceremony in honor of the victims.

Audio guides are available for those touring the site. These recordings offer an immersive experience, providing insight into the history and allowing visitors to reflect deeply. For the convenience of international tourists, the audio guides are available in multiple languages.

How to get there

Choeung Ek is easily accessible from Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic and driver.

Opening hours and admission

The site is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.