Phnom Penh’s Haunting Landmarks: Dark Tourism & Cambodia’s Past

Published on November 30, 2025

Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, offers travelers a unique, albeit somber, perspective into the country’s tumultuous past. At the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers, Phnom Penh has grown into a vibrant city while carrying the weight of its historical significance. In the 21st century, it has emerged as a bustling metropolis, but its legacy remains entwined with the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime.

For tourists seeking a deep dive into Cambodia’s painful history, Phnom Penh offers several sites of immense cultural and historical value. While these places reflect a tragic chapter, they also draw visitors seeking to understand the country’s resilience and the consequences of its past.

Dark Tourism and Cambodia’s Role in History

Dark tourism refers to visiting locations with a history of suffering, tragedy, or death. These sites offer more than just educational value; they connect visitors with past atrocities, providing a space for reflection and remembrance. In Phnom Penh, this form of tourism is particularly poignant as the city, and the nation, continue to recover from the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge era.

The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, took control of Cambodia in 1975, and over the next few years, the regime caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. The tragic legacy of this period is still felt today, and tourists can gain insight into this painful chapter through several key historical sites that stand as reminders of the country’s dark past.

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: A Haunting Legacy

One of the most significant dark tourism sites in Phnom Penh is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Formerly a school, the building was repurposed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 as S-21, a prison and torture center. Over 14,000 individuals were detained, tortured, and ultimately executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The museum is now a solemn reminder of the horrors of this time. Visitors can explore the classrooms, which have been transformed into chilling cells and galleries, displaying photographs of the victims and disturbing torture devices used during this period.

The museum’s courtyard, adorned with palm trees, provides an unsettling contrast to the disturbing displays within. The audio tour, available in several languages, guides visitors through the museum’s grim exhibits, providing context and historical background about each exhibit. A visit here is not only educational but also emotional, as it allows tourists to engage directly with the painful history of Cambodia’s genocide.

Choeung Ek: The Killing Fields

Located just 17 km south of Phnom Penh, Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, is another major dark tourism site. It is here that thousands of victims of the Khmer Rouge were executed, their remains buried in mass graves. Today, a Buddhist stupa stands in the center of the site, containing over 8,000 human skulls. The stupa’s transparent walls allow visitors to see these remains up close, a stark reminder of the mass killings that took place at this site.

Choeung Ek offers a deeply moving experience. While there isn’t much left of the original buildings, the mass graves have been unearthed, and visitors can see the pits where thousands of bodies were buried. A small museum on-site screens a documentary that provides graphic images of the human remains discovered when the site was uncovered in 1979. The audio tour here further explains the horrific events that transpired at Choeung Ek, offering valuable insight into the scale of the genocide.

Visitors are encouraged to show respect by dressing modestly, reflecting the solemnity of the site. Flowers and incense can be purchased in front of the stupa, allowing visitors to pay their respects to the victims of the Khmer Rouge.

Exploring Other Historical Sites in Phnom Penh

Beyond Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, Phnom Penh is home to several other sites that attract dark tourists. The Former M-13 Prison, located about 70 km northwest of the city, is another grim reminder of the Khmer Rouge’s brutal practices. The prison housed many prisoners who were subjected to torture and eventual execution. Visitors can observe large pits where prisoners were kept, offering a haunting look into the regime’s ruthless methods.

Another significant site is the Independence and Liberation Memorials. The Independence Memorial, located in the city center, commemorates Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Close by, the Liberation Memorial marks the Vietnamese liberation of Phnom Penh in 1979. Both memorials serve as symbols of resilience and national pride, marking important moments in Cambodia’s fight for freedom.

These sites offer a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s long struggle, from colonial oppression to the devastation wrought by the Khmer Rouge and eventual liberation.

Cambodia’s Resilience and Tourism

While Cambodia’s historical sites related to the Khmer Rouge may attract tourists interested in dark tourism, the country’s vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and resilience are also a major draw. The capital, Phnom Penh, has blossomed into a modern city with high-rise buildings, traffic lights, and a bustling atmosphere. Though remnants of its painful past remain, Phnom Penh has grown into a symbol of the country’s recovery and a place where visitors can explore both its tragic history and hopeful future.

Tourism in Cambodia continues to grow, driven in part by the increasing interest in its dark history. However, the balance between acknowledging the past and celebrating the present is crucial to ensuring that dark tourism remains respectful and educational. As Cambodia heals, it offers travelers the chance to reflect on the costs of war and oppression while honoring the resilience of its people.

Image Source: AI