7-Hour Phnom Penh History Tour with Royal Palace and Killing Fields

7 Hours Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Discover Phnom Penh's most important landmarks on a guided tour that combines royal heritage, religious sites, and Cambodia's tragic modern history. Visit Wat P...

Duration: 7 Hours · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Not included · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · City: Phnom Penh · Languages: English

Know before you go: Wear whatever is most comfortable, but remember to dress appropriately to respect the locals and religious sites such as pagodas, temples, and holy places. Clothes must cover your shoulders and knees when you wish to visit the upper part of Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, and when you go to meet Buddhist monks.; Both Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields exhibits may be disturbing for some visitors and are not suitable for younger children or adults who are easily shocked.

About Phnom Penh

Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Discover the sobering histories of Khmer Rouge genocides next to Cambodia’s glorious Royal Palace complex at Phnom Penh; a city of temples and teeming barrios that’s best explored with a local guide.

Explore Phnom Penh Cambodia All destinations

What's Included

Comfortable transportation
Licensed English-speaking Phnom Penh tour guide
Cold bottled water
Entrance fees
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Not Included

Gratuities and personal expenses
Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
Surcharge for special requests for food or meals
All other services not stated in the program
Visa handling fee and visa stamp fee

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Phnom Penh Landmarks and Khmer Rouge History

Meet your tour guide at the agreed-upon location and begin the tour. Meet your tour guide at the agreed-upon location and begin the tour. Head to the top of a tree-covered knoll 27 metres high. Wat Phnom is the only hill in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha. Head to the top of a tree-covered knoll 27 metres high. Wat Phnom is the only hill in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha. Explore the Royal Palace, which contains some spectacular buildings. Not least among them is the Throne Hall, situated to the left of the main entrance. The Royal Treasury and the Napoleon III villa lie south of the Royal Throne Hall. Explore the Royal Palace, which contains some spectacular buildings. Not least among them is the Throne Hall, situated to the left of the main entrance. The Royal Treasury and the Napoleon III villa lie south of the Royal Throne Hall. Continue to Wat Preah Keo Morakot (Silver Pagoda), located in the southern portion of the Royal Palace complex. The pagoda was formerly known as Wat Uborsoth Rotannaram. Continue to Wat Preah Keo Morakot (Silver Pagoda), located in the southern portion of the Royal Palace complex. The pagoda was formerly known as Wat Uborsoth Rotannaram. See the Independence Monument, an Angkorian-style tower and a distinctive landmark in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1958. See the Independence Monument, an Angkorian-style tower and a distinctive landmark in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1958. Learn how, in 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security force and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest centre of detention and torture in the country. S-21 has since been turned into the Tuol Sleng Museum, which serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Learn how, in 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security force and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest centre of detention and torture in the country. S-21 has since been turned into the Tuol Sleng Museum, which serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the haunting Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, situated 15 kilometres south-west of Phnom Penh and made famous by the film of the same name, "Killing Field". It was a place where more than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves. In the centre of the area stands a 17-storey glass stupa that houses 8,000 skulls exhumed from the mass graves (open daily). Visit the haunting Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, situated 15 kilometres south-west of Phnom Penh and made famous by the film of the same name, "Killing Field". It was a place where more than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves. In the centre of the area stands a 17-storey glass stupa that houses 8,000 skulls exhumed from the mass graves (open daily).