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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Kampong Speu Travel Guide

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A former Khmer Rouge prison in Phnom Penh, serving as a chilling memorial to the Cambodian genocide and a call for peace.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, or S-21, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a former high school transformed into a Khmer Rouge prison and torture center. It stands as a chilling memorial to the Cambodian genocide, preserving the evidence of atrocities committed during the late 1970s and encouraging visitors to become messengers of peace.

A brief summary to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

  • រាជធានី, សង្កាត់​បឹង​កេងកង​៣ ខណ្ឌ​ចំការ​មន, St 113, Phnom Penh, Khan Chamkar Mon, 12304, KH
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  • Monday 8 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-5 pm
Eve
From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

  • Dress respectfully when visiting the museum. As a memorial site, appropriate attire includes covering legs and arms.
  • Consider hiring an audio guide to gain a deeper understanding of the history and stories behind the exhibits.
  • Allow ample time for your visit, as the museum's content can be emotionally challenging and requires time for reflection.
  • Photography is permitted for personal use, but be mindful and respectful of the site's significance.

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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the center of Khan Chamkar Mon, walk along Street 113. The museum will be on your left side, approximately a 10-15 minute walk from most central locations in the area. Look for the large school-like buildings surrounded by a fence.

  • Public Transport

    Take bus line 01, 02, or 03. Check the Phnom Penh City Bus website or app for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. A single ride costs approximately 4,000 Riel ($1 USD).

  • Taxi/Tuk-tuk

    Taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available throughout Phnom Penh. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey. A short tuk-tuk ride from the city center should cost between 4,000-8,000 Riel ($1-$2 USD). A taxi may cost slightly more, with fares starting around 16,067 Riel (€4). Ride-hailing apps like Grab and PassApp are also available.

Discover more about Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as Security Prison 21 (S-21), is a haunting reminder of Cambodia's tragic Khmer Rouge regime. From 1975 to 1979, this former high school in Phnom Penh was transformed into a detention and torture center, where an estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned, interrogated, and often brutally murdered.Today, the museum stands as a memorial to the victims and a testament to the crimes committed during this dark period. Visitors can walk through the preserved classrooms that were converted into tiny prison cells and torture chambers. The walls are lined with haunting black and white photographs of the prisoners, a chilling reminder of the human cost of the regime.The museum also houses an extensive archive of documents and instruments used for torture, providing a stark and disturbing insight into the methods employed by the Khmer Rouge. The graves of the last 14 victims found on the site are also preserved, along with a monument honoring all those who perished under the regime. Visiting Tuol Sleng is an emotional and thought-provoking experience, offering a glimpse into a dark chapter of Cambodian history and highlighting the importance of remembrance and peace.
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