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Go Backpacking > Destinations > Asia > Cambodia > The Killing Fields At Choeung Ek

The Killing Fields At Choeung Ek

September 26, 2008 By Dave

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Stupa

I ate lunch at a pleasant restaurant directly across from S-21, and headed out of town on the dusty, dirty, pollution-choked road to the killing field at Choeung Ek. All but about seven of the 10,000+ prisoners that passed through S-21 were killed. Some died from the torture, beatings, disease, or malnutrition, while most were hauled off to Choeung Ek for straightforward execution.

Stupa entrance

It was a moving site, and bigger than the ones I saw around Battambang, but no more powerful.

Skull

I made an offering of flowers and incense at the stupa which was filled with thousands of skulls and bones.

I'm sure the sign serves its purpose, but its presence seems absurd all the same

It was sobering to see the holes in the Earth – excavated mass graves.

Exposed bone along dirt path

On the dirt paths, you could see human bones sticking out.

Killing Tree

I joined 2 Australian guys on a tour as there were no more guides available. The guide was blunt. I wasn't sure if he relives personal experiences every day working in such an environment, just doesn't know much English, or talks that way for effect. Regardless, I was glad to have already had a more personal experience beforehand with Phi-lay.

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Filed Under: Cambodia

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dan says

    September 28, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    I reckon thousands of people each year must take photos of that same skull, I know I did. Did you run into the kids at the back of the fields?

    • Dave says

      September 30, 2008 at 7:17 am

      Nope, I didn’t stray from the little circular path.

  2. Dan says

    September 28, 2008 at 11:24 pm

    I reckon thousands of people each year must take photos of that same skull, I know I did. Did you run into the kids at the back of the fields?

    • Dave says

      September 30, 2008 at 12:17 pm

      Nope, I didn’t stray from the little circular path.

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