Killing Fields

Killing Fields

Introduction Located in the southern suburbs of Phnom Penh, about 15 kilometers from the city center, this site was once a Khmer Rouge execution camp. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot captured Phnom Penh and seized power. Over the following three years, Cambodia lost nearly a third of its population, most of them intellectuals. Most of those who died here were prisoners from S-21 prison, including men, women, children, and infants. To date, more than 9,000 bodies have been exhumed from the Killing Fields, which is why it is also called the “Killing Mountain” or “Choeung Ek Genocidal Center.” In 1988, the government built a stupa on the site to house the skulls unearthed from the mass graves as a memorial to the innocent victims. Transportation: A private car is required to get there; a motorcycle taxi costs about $4 USD and takes around 30 minutes. Ticket/Opening Hours: Admission is $2 USD. Open daily from 7:00 to 17:30.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia