- Sep 26, 2022
- 2 min read

One Day in Phnom Penh

I was ecstatic since it was a weeklong holiday. One of the things I wanted to do was to go on a one-day trip around Phnom Penh. I've been in Phnom Penh for years but haven't seen much of the city. Coincidentally, my friends had the same thought, so we decided to take a city trip together. The first step was to find a tuk-tuk to rent for a one-day trip. My friend found one for 25 USD.

These are the places we visited.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center / The Killing Fields

I have heard from some friends that visiting this site requires courage, and that I should be emotionally prepared. Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, also known as the Killing Fields, is the execution and burial site of the victims of the Khmer Rouge. When you google Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, you will find it on the list of the world's deadliest genocides.

We arrived early, so there were a few people, which was ideal given that we were amid a pandemic. The ticket was $3 per person. Unfortunately, the audio guide was not available at that time. Upon entering, you will see the glass stupa filled with the victims' skulls. The stupa serves as a memorial for those who lost their lives.

There’s this somber atmosphere as you walk around the stupa and the whole place. You can’t help but think how evil people can be. How could humans commit such atrocity?

What broke my heart the most was the sight of the killing tree, which was used by the executioners to kill children by beating them against it. I got a lump in my throat as I thought about the innocent lives lost.

I went around the place having this heavy feeling thinking and hoping that something like this must never happen again. I understood better what my friends meant when they said I needed to be emotionally prepared to visit the location.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center or Killing Fields is about 15 kilometers away from the city center. The most convenient way to go there is to book tuk-tuk via Grab, Tada, or PassApp.

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Silk Island (Koh Dach)

Our second destination was the Silk Island. Silk Island, locally known as Koh Dach, is an island on the Mekong River. It got its name from its fame as a prominent silk weaving center.

You need to get on a ferry to reach the place. Vehicles can be on the ferry, and during our visit, we paid a dollar for the ferry ride. You’ll be greeted with a peaceful pastoral setting upon reaching the island. It doesn’t feel like it’s minutes away from Phnom Penh.

We did not go around the island. We specifically went to the Silk Island traditional weaving village. When we arrived, a local gentleman who spoke English met us and offered to show us around and explain how silk is made. We were appreciative of how he explained the process to us.