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Choeung Ek (pronounced “choo-ung ek”) is a site located in the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is known for its history as a former execution and burial ground during the rule of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.
The site has since been turned into a memorial and museum, known as the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. Its mission is to honor the victims of the Cambodian genocide and educate visitors about the atrocities that occurred there.
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Where is Choeung Ek?
Choeung Ek is located about 15 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Most vehicles can get you there in around 20 minutes if you are coming from downtown.
How to Get to Choeung Ek
The easiest way to Choeung Ek is to get a tuk-tuk from Phnom Penh. I found a tuk-tuk driver who was willing to take me to both Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng in the same day.
If you would prefer booking online, there are plenty of tours that will take you to both Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng.
History of Choeung Ek
During the Khmer Rouge’s rule from 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 million people were killed as part of the regime’s efforts to create a communist utopia in Cambodia. Many of these deaths occurred at execution sites like Choeung Ek, where prisoners were brought to be killed and then buried in mass graves.
The victims included intellectuals, political opponents, and ethnic minorities, as well as ordinary citizens who were accused of being disloyal to the regime.
Hundreds of thousands of other citizens died from starvation, forcing the Cambodian people to eat anything they could find out of desperation.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center was established at the site in the 1980s, and it now serves as a memorial to the victims of the Cambodian genocide.
The center includes a stupa, or Buddhist memorial tower, that contains more than 5,000 human skulls arranged by gender and age. The stupa is intended to honor the victims and serve as a reminder of the atrocities that occurred at Choeung Ek.
Choeung Ek Exhibits
In addition to the stupa, the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center also includes exhibits that provide information about the history of the Cambodian genocide and the events that took place at Choeung Ek.
Visitors can learn about the Khmer Rouge’s rise to power, their ideology and policies, and the ways in which they targeted and killed their perceived enemies. The exhibits also include personal accounts from survivors of the genocide, providing a glimpse into the human cost of the atrocities that occurred at Choeung Ek and throughout Cambodia.
The Killing Tree
One of the most powerful exhibits at Choeung Ek is the Killing Tree. In an effort to save bullets, members of the Khmer Rouge would often kill their victims with garden tools against this tree.
The most disturbing thing they did, however, was to smash babies’ heads against this tree before throwing them into an adjacent mass grave. This was often done right in front of the mothers. This was a politically-sanctioned strategy to prevent the children from growing up to take revenge against the Khmer Rouge. Today, this tree is covered with bracelets in remembrance of all of the children who were killed against it.
The Killing Tree at Choeung Ek is now marked with a plaque that explains its history and significance. Visitors to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center can see the tree and learn about its role in the Cambodian genocide. It is a powerful and emotional symbol of the atrocities that occurred at Choeung Ek and serves as a reminder of the human cost of political extremism.
Why You Should Visit Choeung Ek
Most visitors to Cambodia would rather visit incredible sights, such as Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. However, Choeung Ek has something valuable to offer as well.
Visiting the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center can be a powerful and emotional experience, as it serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of political extremism and the importance of preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Cambodian genocide was one of the worst human rights violations of the 20th century, and visiting the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center can serve as a reminder of the need to stand up for human rights and speak out against injustice.
Choeung Ek is a significant site in the history of Cambodia and a powerful reminder of the atrocities that occurred during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. It serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the Cambodian people and a reminder of the importance of preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.
