Cambodia Landmine Museum
The basics
Travelers almost always visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum from nearby Siem Reap, often stopping off en route to the Angkor-era temple of Banteay Srei, or as a break from other Angkor temple explorations. Adult tickets are moderately priced and include an audio guide, while under-10s and Cambodian citizens go free. English-speaking staff offer guided tours on request, and all proceeds go to helping demining efforts across Cambodia. As well as thousands of landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO), the museum offers displays on founder Aki Ra and Cambodia’s troubled past, as well as a documentary.
Things to know before you go
- This moving small museum is a must for anyone with an interest in Cambodia’s recent history and a good choice with older children.
- Don’t expect the sort of multimedia displays you get in big western museums. The Cambodia Landmine Museum is a small charity enterprise in a developing country.
- Some of the site is accessible to travelers who use wheelchairs.
How to get there
The Cambodia Landmine Museum sits about 17 miles (28 kilometers) north of Siem Reap, beyond the Angkor Archeological Park. It’s on the road to Banteay Srei, a further 8-mile (13-kilometer) drive. There’s no public transport so most travelers visit on a tour or with a private driver (car, minivan, or tuk-tuk).
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Cambodia Landmine Museum is open daily from early in the morning until late afternoon. It’s rarely crowded so plan your visit around the other Angkor attractions you hope to see.
Landmines in Cambodia
Cambodia’s troubled history includes American bombing during the Vietnam War, a lengthy civil war, and the Khmer Rouge genocide. But most of the landmines that litter the nation were laid between 1979 and 1998, as Vietnamese and Cambodian state forces did battle with Khmer Rouge and royalist forces. Only 50% of the nation’s minefields have been cleared and Cambodia has more amputees per capita than anywhere else in the world.