S-21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh: History and Tour with Private Driver

Updated: Aug 17

The S-21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh: Memory of a National Tragedy

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum , also known as S-21 , is one of the most moving places in Cambodia. Located in a former high school converted into a prison by the Khmer Rouge regime, this museum is a must-see for understanding one of the darkest pages in the country's history.

S-21 Story: From School to Prison

Before 1975, Tuol Sleng was an ordinary school. But with the rise to power of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime, it was converted into a detention and torture center. From 1975 to 1979 , more than 18,000 people were imprisoned, tortured, and often executed there, mainly intellectuals, civil servants, doctors, monks, and ordinary citizens suspected of opposing the regime.

Of these thousands of prisoners, only a dozen survived.

What to see at the museum today?

The museum has been preserved almost as it was to bear witness to this atrocious period:

The torture rooms with the original beds and chains.
The cramped individual cells .
Identity photos of the prisoners , taken upon their arrival.
Testimonies from survivors and guardians.
Historical documents, torture equipment, and paintings depicting the treatments suffered.

Each room plunges the visitor into a heavy silence, conducive to reflection and homage to the victims.

A difficult but necessary visit

The S-21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh is not suitable for young children or sensitive individuals, but it is essential for anyone wishing to understand the profound trauma that marked the Cambodian people.

💡 It is recommended to take an audio guide or a local guide to better understand the stories related to each piece.

How to visit S-21 with complete peace of mind?

Phnom Penh is a densely populated city where getting around can be difficult. For a respectful, calm, and well-supervised visit, we offer our car rental service with a private driver via Cambodia-Car-Rentals.com .

Our advantages for visiting S-21:

Discreet, respectful and punctual driver
Air-conditioned vehicle, ideal for collecting you after the visit
Hotel or airport pick-up
Possibility to combine S-21 with the Choeung Ek center (the Killing Fields) , the National Museum or the Royal Palace

🧭 Half-day itinerary suggestion: S-21 and collective memory

08:00: Pick up from your hotel Visit to the S-21 Genocide Museum (Tuol Sleng) Transfer to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields Return to your hotel or lunch break in town

A sober, respectful circuit, rich in emotions.

Book your vehicle with driver now

Prepare your visit to places of remembrance with comfort and discretion:

👉 Request a personalized quote

You can also discuss with our team to adapt the itinerary to your pace or combine other visits in Phnom Penh.

Conclusion

The S-21 Genocide Museum is an intense visit, essential to remember the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime. To explore this place with the respect it deserves, nothing beats private, secure, and flexible transportation with Cambodia-Car-Rentals.com . We accompany you discreetly for a human and historical experience.