Immerse yourself in Cambodian culture and discover its intense history
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and has approximately 2.3 million inhabitants. Until the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975, Phnom Penh was considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia. Under this totalitarian regime, in which approximately two million Cambodians were murdered within four years, the capital was largely destroyed. During your visit to Phnom Penh you will learn more about this intense history and taste the Cambodian culture!
Visit the Cheong Ek Killing Fields
The Cheong Ek Killing Fields near Phnom Penh, 12 kilometers from the center. are a must see. You can visit the killing fields with a tour or arrange a tuk tuk yourself. A return trip with the tuk tuk costs about 15 dollarsr. Admission is approximately $10 per person. Prepare for an intense visit. We bAfter the killing fields they visited the S21 prison. At the end of the day we were very shaken and didn't even complete the prison audio tour. It is highly recommended to also book an audio tour of the killing fields. Upon arrival you immediately see what gruesome scenes took place here. The Memorial Stupa contains more than 8,000 skulls in a glass tower.
About 40 years ago, in 1975, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot came to power in Cambodia. They exterminated more than 25% of the population in less than four years and a strict communist regime.The Khmer Rouge wanted to create an agrarian society and forced people to work on collective farms. Intellectuals, civil servants, members of ethnic minorities and anyone suspected of anti-communist sympathies were seen as a threat to the revolution and were brutally murdered. Numerous civilians were also forced to work in forced labor camps under extremely harsh conditions, resulting in a large number of deaths due to exhaustion, malnutrition and disease. There are more than 300 of these killing fields in Cambodia where many people have been murdered en masse. Inmates from Tuol Sleng prison (S21) were among others killed at the Cheong Ek killing fields. A total of 17,000 people died here (including children and babies killed). Not with a bullet, because this was too expensive. They were beaten to death instead. There were also still pieces of clothing in some places. Bone remains still regularly come up (when there is a lot of rain). It was all very unpleasant and intense to see this. The visit is definitely worth it, but be prepared well. A Netflix tip for your departure to Cambodia to learn more about the Khmer Rouge regime is Angelina Jolie's film:First they killed my father.
Visit the Tuel Sleng Museum (S21 prison)
The Tuel Sleng prison in Phnom Penh is one of the many prisons during the Khmer Rouge regime. This prison only has twelve survivors. Here the prisoners were tortured day in, day out until they made a (often unjustified and fabricated) confession. Most prisoners signed for their own execution on the killing fields. Once again, it is highly recommended to take an audio tour. The audio tours are also available in Dutch. Make sure you can cover your knees. The prison is located in the middle of the city, which gives it a very special feeling when you walk around here.
During your visit you will see photos of the prisoners hanging everywhere. The Cambodians have done everything they can to give the best possible picture of this period. We even saw blood in the small cells. What hell this time and place must have been. At one point we thought it was too intense to complete the entire audio tour. It made a big impression and is definitely a must-see in Cambodia.
Visit the Royal Palace and the Wat Phnfor temple
Two other beautiful sights in the city are the Royal Palace and the Wat Phnom temple. The Royal Palace is a beautiful complex built in the 19th century. It is the official residence of the Cambodian king. The complex is only closed on days when the King himself is present. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, courtyards and various buildings.
The Wat Phnom temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1373. The temple is located on a hill overlooking the city. Well worth a visit!
Other sights and activities in Phnom Penh:
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Learn about Cambodia's rich history and culture at the beautiful National Museum.
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Visit the bustling and busy Central Market.
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Walk along the Mekong River and enjoy the view.
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Feel like a party? Visit Club Love
How to get to Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has an international plane. Are you coming fromSiem Reap? Dean, the journey by bus takes about six hours.
It is also possible to visit the capital from the surrounding neighboring countries. Phnom Penh can also be reached by bus from Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok and Pakse
Stay overnight
Basic: Nangkol Village
Standard: Glow Park Hotel
Luxury: Plantation Urban Resort & Spa
Continue your journey
Continue your journey through Cambodia by bus toKoh Rong.
