Phnom Penh City Tour, Silver Pagoda, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields
Description
On this small-group tour, visit most highlighted site of the city and its history. Discover the great palaces and pagodas of Phnom Penh on a day tour, and visit the Royal Palace of Cambodia, see the 5,329 silver tiles of the Silver Pagoda, and infamous Tuol Sleng Museum. Admire Khmer era architecture, and learn about the notorious Killing Fields and Get stunning views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong on from the River Side before heading back to your hotel.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Today, you will join a group tour and your guide start to pick up from a few different hotels, so the pickup time is variable between 7:30am to 8:30am, so guests are advised to wait in the hotel lobby and ready to go as soon as your guide arrives, after pick up everyone on the tour, your guide will take you to the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by the French after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong. Located on the western banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, the palace complex features stunning Khmer architecture, divided into 4 main compounds.
The grounds of the Palace are also home to the Silver Pagoda, which received its name because its floor is made of 5,329 silver tiles. Learn about the Khmer kings, resident at all times, with the exception of the period when the Khmer Rouge took control in 1975. See gold and jeweled Buddha statues in the Silver Pagoda, and the Angkor Wat style Bell Tower.
Then, learn about the turbulent years of the Khmer Rouge at the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum. Located in a former high school that was used as the notorious Security Prison 21, the Genocide Museum traces the story of the Killing Fields and the torture and executions that took place from 1975-79. See exhibits that tell the stories of some of the estimated 20,000 prisoners that were killed.
The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation. Return to the city center and get stunning views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River Side before tour ends. This tour concludes with return transfer to your hotel or any requested drop off point within the city center.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tour depart at 08:30 am from town (pick up is variable between 7:30 am and 8:30 am), please be ready from 7:30 am and ready to go as soon as your tour guide arrive.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for children to visit S-21 & Killing Fields
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Reviews(130)
Siphat was a fantastic guide. He was very knowledgeable and we all learned a lot. He was also very generous in sharing his personal stories and experiences. Overall the best way to experience this memorial.
Very moving, intense. Humanity at its worse. Onky by learning from the past can we learn about our future .
Excellent if moving experience about killing fields and S21 prison. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are beautiful. Guide gave an insightful personal experience of his life under Pol Pot. Thank you.
Very experienced and knowledgeable guide and nice bloke. Great tour
There are a few sights to see in PP and this 4-hour tour does a comprehensive job in hitting each. It will be challenging at times given the genocide but so important to understand to avoid such a brutal tragedy in the future. A couple tips: you will be removing your shoes at some sights so you may want to wear socks and if you use a tuk-tuk for the tour, you may want to bring a mask due to the heavy pollution.
There are a few sights to see in PP and this 4-hour tour does a comprehensive job in hitting each. It will be challenging at times given the genocide but so important to understand to avoid such a brutal tragedy in the future. A couple tips: you will be removing your shoes at some sights so you may want to wear socks and if you use a tuk-tuk for the tour, you may want to bring a mask due to the heavy pollution.
The driver was great. The tour guide was a very nice man but we had a hard time understanding when he was speaking. What we did understand was good.
This was a great, very personal tour of Phnom Penh and helped me understand the history and atrocities this country has experienced. It was very sobering to learn how dangerous communism can be resulting in millions of lives being taken.
We have an informative and moving tour with Siphat. He is very knowledgeable about Cambodia and recounted his personal experience living under the Khmer Rouge and the cost to his family and to Cambodia
Was very informative and our tour guide was excellent throughout, very knowledgeable and very friendly. Just a bit too sad for me.
