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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh

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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
4.5
12,737
#1 of 141 things to do in Phnom Penh
History Museums
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is the memorial site of the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, it preserves a tragic period in history with the aim to encourage visitors to be messengers of peace. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is the memorial site of “Security Office 21” (S-21) of Democratic Kampuchea (also known as the Khmer Rouge regime) and located in what was then the abandoned city of Phnom Penh, whose citizens had been evacuated on 17 April 1975. S-21 served as the central hub of a vast prison system throughout the country and was used throughout the period as a secret facility for the detention, interrogation, torture and extermination of those deemed “political enemies” of the regime. Due to a policy of guilt-by-association, at times whole families were detained at the center. Only 12 former inmates survived the opening of S-21 when Phnom Penh was liberated. Four of them were children.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Admission tickets
from $9.00
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1,355 within 3 miles
Coriander Indian
252
0.4 mi$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
350 BBQ Cafe
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393 ft$ • Bar • Barbecue • Asian
Namaste India Restaurant BKK
1,803
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The Pelican Food Company
215
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Tuk Tuk Cafe Restaurant
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258 ft$ • Cafe • European • Asian
J.J Ice Cream & Coffee
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Treehouse Cafe
12
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Coin Cafe & Bar
11
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Brooklyn Pizza + Bistro
933
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110 within 6 miles
Wat Langka
148
63 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Central Market
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Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
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Tuol Tompoung Pagoda
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Daughters of Cambodia Visitor Centre
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
12,737 reviews
Excellent
8,501
Very good
3,380
Average
713
Poor
100
Terrible
43
Now Boarding Vlog
Hartlepool, UK3 contributions
This opens your eyes
May 2022
We went on this tour and it was $5 each and you can ask for a guide that speaks your language to take you around. You decide at the end what tip you would like to give them. Our guide remembered the Khmer Rouge Regime very well as she was 13 at the beginning of it. She told us all about the history of what once was S-21 prison camp. If you go on an afternoon, you maybe lucky enough to meet one of the survivors of the camp..
It was very moving walking around the museum, you get to see a lot of artefacts from the prison and has an atmosphere that makes you really feel the sadness and pain that went on there.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sara
10 contributions
Touring Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields - Phnom Penh
Jan 2020 • Family
One of the most important sites of our trip was to visit Tuol Sleng - the High School Prison - and the Killing Fields. We weren’t sure whether we needed a guide or not, but after a very good experience at the Land Mine museum in Siem Reap which had a full English interpretation on site we decided to risk it without a guide. This was a good decision. We hired a car for five adults with a driver for $30 USD for the day. Both sites had some the of best interpretive information I’ve experienced and both had excellent headsets in multiple languages. We spent about two hours at each site and listened fully to all information on the headsets. Our two teens 14 and 17 also listened in full, following which we have had some important conversations about these issues. While we found it very confronting, it is too important not to visit. Tuol Sleng high school is in the city and It is about 20 minutes drive between the sites. Entry to Tuol Sleng is $6 USD per adult with a headset and similar for the Killing fields. You’ll need proof of age for a teen discount - we had photos of our passports on our phone which was sufficient.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Travis S
140 contributions
Really good audio tour
Jan 2020 • Solo
Whilst the content of this museum is incredibly sad, it's important history is very well documented and served by the museum. I would particularly recommend the audio tour which is included with the entry price, it was hands down the best audio tour I've done at any museum. It even recommends which ones to skip if you are in a bit of a hurry, and has extra content if you'd like to listen.

The $8 entry fee is quite reasonable compared to similar things in Cambodia, and includes the audio guide which is great.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Holly J
London, UK55 contributions
Eye opening and tear jerking
Jan 2022 • Couples
Such a sad yet heartwarming experience. I would suggest that everyone that visits cambodia makes a visit to the museum and killing fields as it will warm your heart knowing what the cambodian people endured in very recent history and knowing how kind and caring they are after all this pain. I would highly recommend speaking with one of the survivors if possible as their stories will bring you to tears when they tell of their suffering and lose as a result of the Kyhmer Rouge.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reza Sattarzadeh
Muscat, Oman2,137 contributions
Remnants of a Dark Recent Past
May 2022 • Solo
Toul Sleng was originally a high school which was turned into a fearsome prison during the reign of Khmer Rouge in 1970s. Visiting the place would tell you about the dark days that it has witnessed through that period. There are a few sections, some of which have been kept in the original form as they had been in the days. Depending on how much you intend to learn about the gruelling past of the prison, you can spend one to three hours here. There is a very good collection of notes in the upper floor.

The rooms are not air conditioned, so in the summer months, this may feel a bit uncomfortable to stay inside for a long time.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MM1909
Marlborough, UK57 contributions
Sad but should be done
Feb 2020 • Couples
One of our main reasons for visiting Phnom Penh was to visit the museum. We knew it would difficult but having read up and seen various films we felt the need to go. We did not take an official tour. Our hotel was in walking distance and we went solo and used the audio guide. We believe this is the best way to do it as we could do it in our own time and take time to reflect. We spent about three hours here. If you do an official tour you will have far less time. It was only $8 dollars including the audio set. We did not go onto the killing fields as we felt we had seen enough. If you go in an official tour you will probably do both but they go to the killing Fields first, which is the wrong way round in my opinion. If you want to follow the journey of the victims you should start at S21.

It opens at 8am and it is best to go as early as you can - you will then miss the group tours.

They have some of the survivors there who will sign books for you and answer questions.

It is a hard visit to do but worth it if you really want to understand what went on here.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
amanda5805
Duncan, Canada4,109 contributions
Must Visit but Very Graphics
Dec 2019
We were on a group private tour. it cost about $8usd per person to enter.
This place is very sad and very graphic. It was a secondary school turned into a torcher and execution facility before sending the prisoners to the killing fields. There are 4 building all 3 stores tall. Even the swing set & the triple horizontal bars are still in place and used as a torture device. Most of the people seemed to be young men and young woman with babies/kids. There are blood stains on the floors. Pictures of the last Found victims in the rooms they were found in. Arrival pictures and after death photos.

Over 14,000 people have been documented to have been forced to entered this facility. Only 7 people survived. There is still 3 men who are alive who spent up to 2 years here and have written books about their experiences. We got the change to meet 2 of them while there.

It was very graphic but was worth visiting. We spent just over 2 hours here.
Written May 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada1,630 contributions
Sorrowful History of Cambodia
Feb 2020 • Couples
This prison is dedicated to victims of a terrible regime in Cambodia. Take your time to reflect on the museum and be respectful. We would highly recommend paying for admission with audio guide tour for $8 US. There are many benches to take breaks and the audio tour will warn you which exhibits could be more overwhelming.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Haydn0342
Rye, Australia40 contributions
Again part of our tour to Vietnam & Cambodia
Nov 2019
Thankfully not as depressing as the Killing Fields but still not somewhere that most travellers would need to go to when there are far more nicer places to see in Phnom Penh.
Again some of group sat outside as they did not want to see the torture chambers & photos of the deceased.
At least here were two of the survivors of this terrible part of their lives.
Or shopping at their markets for bargains way below the cost of what we see in Australia
Spend more time walking alongside the river in the city.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kara C
13 contributions
A difficult but necessary remembrance of past atrocities
Jan 2020 • Solo
Showed up right when the museum was opening so there was a small crowd that continued to grow thoughout the morning. The audio tour was worth the $3 extra, it added a lot of color to what you were seeing in the physical space. I wasn't impressed by either special exhibition but it was a moving experience.

This is a site where awful things happened. Come to learn and pay respects to the victims.

Remember to dress conservatively. Shoulders and knees must be covered or you'll be asked to deposit money and wear clothes they have to lend.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $9.00, while a popular guided tour starts around $19.00 per person. See all 111 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 111 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor