Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh
This is a museum of the Khmer Rouge's genocide during its rule from 1975 to 1979. During the 4 years of Khmer Rouge rule, Tuol Sleng was a political prison camp, holding 20,000 prisoners, only 7 survived, the rest were tortured and killed here.
This is a famous museum that attracts many tourists from all over the world. But many people are still horrified by the blood-stained walls, stained bricks and countless brutal torture instruments that still remain, providing a horrifying look at a brutal regime. Every two years, monks are invited to hold a memorial service for the victims.
Choeung Ek Killing Fields, Phnom Penh
Under the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot, about 2 million Cambodians died of starvation and exhaustion. Nearly 9,000 sets of remains were discovered in mass graves in Choeung Ek, about 30 km from Phnom Penh, hence the name “killing fields”.
Today, this place has been rebuilt into a memorial monument, which looks very spacious on the outside so visitors can walk around the graves and burn some incense for the deceased. When coming here, you should walk carefully and gently because the bodies of the unfortunate victims may still be buried underground. During the rainy season, the soil is washed away and white bones may be exposed.
Bokor Mountain, Kampot
Kampot town is 42 km from Bokor peak, only accessible by motorbike or car. It is home to Popokvil waterfall, a giant Buddhist statue, a huge casino and many abandoned churches. Thanks to its cool climate and stunning views, it was once a thriving resort town during the French colonial period. The resorts were commissioned by the French and were built over a nine-month period. By the time the project was completed in 1925, more than 900 Cambodians had died due to the harsh conditions during the construction process.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the site was invaded by the Khmer Rouge and then abandoned again. After that, all that remained was a ghost town of ruined buildings. Today, the Bokor House has been reopened for visitors to visit and explore the history.
Haunted house, kampong cham
The infamous haunted house in Kampong Cham province located on Highway 5 once appeared in a horror movie about the Khmer Rouge. According to rumors, a young couple moved into a newly built house, they dreamed of a ghost offering to buy the house for 3,000 USD in pure gold, they immediately agreed and the next morning when they woke up, they found the gold placed in front of the house. However, they did not move out even though they took the gold.
One day, after waking up, they found themselves lying in a deserted field with their belongings around them. Since then, no one dared to step foot in that house, but strangely, the house was still clean, without a speck of dust. Superstitious Cambodians often pray whenever they pass by or when they come to make offerings at this house.
In 2005, the movie The Haunted House was filmed here. Before filming, the entire cast prayed to "invite" the ghost to temporarily leave the house during filming.
Independence Hotel, Sihanoukville
The Independence Hotel is a fine example of contemporary Khmer architecture and was a symbol of Sihanoukville's prosperity in the 1960s. Its sophisticated and elaborate architecture and luxurious interiors have made it a high-class resort. It was once a stopover for Phnom Penh's elite and many celebrities.
However, in mid-1979, this place became a base for Khmer Rouge soldiers. According to rumors, this hotel was a place to hold prisoners and carry out barbaric executions. In 1982, it reopened and in early 1990 became a place where UNTAC troops occupied. In 2007, it was renovated to welcome tourists. At first, many people came because of curiosity about the hotel's haunted story, but they left disappointed and did not return when nothing happened as rumored.
