Shopping in Siem Reap
Only Phnom Penh has better shopping than Siem Rep and that's really saying something.
Siem Reap has two main markets: the Central Market and the Old Market. Here, bargaining and haggling skills will be needed as you negotiate prices for the many items on sale such as glassware, freshwater pearls, natural Cambodian silk, and bed covers.
You can get tailor-made suits and dresses along with blouses and hats at the three-storey boutique Samatoa. If you want to shop out of town head to the Angkor Night Market; this Balinese-influenced market is open from 16:00 to midnight daily and makes a cool change from the heat and clutter of the inner-town markets. Here, you'll find around 130 stalls offering a vast array of products, many of which you won’t find elsewhere. The many silver betel nut holders, often in the shape of animals, make good souvenirs or presents for back home.
Where to Buy?
Artisans D’Angkor
Artisans D’Angkor retail shop near the Old Market area sells wood and stone carvings and silk products. Tel: +855 (0) 63 963 330.
Artisans D’Angkor at the National Silk Centre about 16 km west of town is a good place not only to shop for silk but to learn what a silk farm is all about. Tel: +855 (0) 63 963 330.
Angkor Art
Angkor Art on 230 Sivatha Blvd. (on the alley across the street from Pub Street in the Old Market area) offers a good selection of contemporary Cambodian, Thai plus Vietnamese paintings. Tel: +855 (0) 12 625 813.
Asia Craft Center
Asia Craft Center on 0216 road to Angkor Wat stocks beautiful Cambodian and Southeast Asian traditional crafts and products. Tel: +855 (0) 63 760 321.
Angkor Candles
Angkor Candles located in the Old Market area offers aromatherapy burners, a selection of essential oils and silk wear. Tel: +855 (0) 63 760 778.
Asasax Art
Asasax Art gallery on Pub Street has a good selection of paintings and sculptures by Cambodian artists. Tel: +855 (0) 12 363 030.
Prornam Souvenir Shop
Prornam souvenir shop on Sivatha Blvd. stocks Cambodian carvings and statuary in wood and stone. Among the designs on offer are Apsaras and Bayon-style faces. All works are created by local artists in the Pursat Province. Tel: +855 (0) 63 969 677.
Sao Mao Boutique
Sao Mao Boutique near the Old Market between Union Commercial Bank & Grand Café has a good selection of quality silk products along with silver jewelry, tableware, coconut crafts. Tel: +855 (0) 12 818 130.
Encouraged by the government and aid organisations, local people are rediscovering their natural talent as weavers and craftsmen. A number of rehabilitation programs have sprung up since the eighties such as the gift shop at Wat Thanh in Phnom Penh, a co-op that trains Cambodians disabled by landmines in making attractive items out of silk and cotton fabrics, rattan, bamboo, wood and clay. The result is a pleasing selection of purses and handbags, clothing, furnishings, paintings and many other items.
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