Tuol Sleng and Russian Market Half Day Tour Phnom Penh

Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former Khmer Rouge detention centre, then shop and sample sticky rice with banana at the Russian Market, on a half day tour from Phnom Penh. This half day tour pairs one of Cambodia's most significant historical sites with one of Phnom Penh's liveliest markets. Tuol Sleng, known as S-21, was a school before the Khmer Rouge converted it into a detention and interrogation centre in the late 1970s. Walking through its cells and viewing the photographs on display offers a sobering understanding of this period of Cambodian history. From there, continue to the Russian Market, a bustling bazaar dating to the 1980s, recognisable by its distinctive dome. Wander the aisles for clothing, woodcarvings, jewellery, Buddha images and silk scarves, practising your bargaining skills along the way, and sample sticky rice with banana from one of the market's food stalls. A half day that moves from reflection to discovery in the heart of Phnom Penh.

1. 1

   Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

   2.5 hours

   The guide and driver will collect you from the hotel and take you to the Tuol Sleng Museum, also known as S-21. During the Pol Pot regime, the former high school was converted into a detention centre. After interrogation, and often torture, prisoners were transferred to the Killing Fields where they were brutally slain. It is said that about 20,000 prisoners entered through the doors of this disturbing facility, never to return to their homes. You can walk through the hauntingly eerie cells and view harrowing black and white photographs of many of the victims, along with items of rusting furniture. There are even torture devices used to extract ‘confessions’ from the prisoners. This heart-breaking museum serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge.

2. 2

   Russian Market

   1.5 hours

   After visiting the museum, there is ample time to shop at the Russian Market. This bustling bazaar dates back to the 1980s and became a favourite haunt of Russian expats. The distinctive dome of this landmark can be seen from various parts of the capital. Wander through the aisles past stalls packed full of clothes, trinkets, woodcarvings, jewellery, Buddha images and silk scarves. This is a good place to practice your bargaining skills in order to get the best prices. In and around the market, there are many food stalls selling sweet and savoury snacks. You will get an opportunity to sample sticky rice with banana, a favourite sweet treat of the locals. At the end of the tour, the driver will take you back to the hotel.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
• Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Phnom Penh. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Koh Dach, Tonle Bati, and Oudong, any of the river and cruise ferry terminals and Phnom Penh International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions
• The sites included in this tour contain graphic content that may not be suitable for young children
• To allow entrance into the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) in Phnom Penh, visitors are obliged to uphold a very strict dress code to respect the premises and the victims who lost their lives here.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.