Siem Reap is an excellent place to buy Cambodian souvenirs, handicrafts, textiles and art. Only Phnom Penh offers a comparable selection. Until recently, the Old Market and vendors at the temples were the only places to buy souvenirs. Over the last couple of years there has been a small boom of new shops, galleries and boutiques, offering a more varied selection of handicrafts and silks as well as original artistic creations - paintings, prints, carvings and such. The Old Market still has the biggest variety of souvenirs and an interesting local ambiance, but the boutiques, galleries and specialty shops offer higher quality items and a more sophisticated selection of Cambodian products. Of particular interest are the traditional craft workshops and silk farms where you can see crafts in the making as well as buy the final product.

When purchasing local crafts, be selective in your purchase. Most of the crafts, particularly the carvings, silks and silverwork are hand-made, making each piece a unique work. Much of what is available is produced by masters as well as students so some pieces are significantly better than others.

It is illegal to buy antiquities. Some replicas of authentic artifacts must be accompanied by a certification that it is a replica. Ask the vendor for details.

What to Buy

Temple rubbings, stone and woodcarvings, silver betel containers, gems, traditional musical instruments and hand-woven silks are among the most popular souvenirs. The most useful and one of the cheapest souvenirs that you can buy is a traditional checkered Cambodian scarf (krama). If you don't mind looking like a tourist, wear it around your neck like the locals to keep the intense tropical sun off the back of your neck.

Silver betel containers are popular, traditional souvenirs. These pounded silver containers are often shaped like animals, fruits and vegetables, and were originally used in ceremonial and everyday life to hold dried betel. Betel is chewed as a mild stimulant. In the market, it looks like coin shaped, dark red plugs. You may see people, particularly older women from rural areas, with teeth stained deep red from years of chewing betel. Nowadays silver betel containers are made primarily for sale as souvenirs but are still hand crafted using traditional techniques and styles.

Cambodian silks are prized by silk collectors the world over. Most of the silk available in Cambodia is hand loomed using the traditional ikat method of dying and looming the patterns. Both raw and fine silks are available in the form of bolts, sarongs, and various handicrafts. The Angkor Silk Farm allows a first hand look at the silk creation process. Many of the pieces available are potential collector's items. Many of the boutiques specialize in silk creations such as tailored Asian and Euro-Asian fashions, pillows, blankets, purses and other decor and accessories.

'Temple rubbings' are for sale everywhere in Siem Reap but are neither rubbings nor from the temples. They are in fact made from a heavy paper that is moistened then molded over recreations of original and imagined temple carvings. Regardless, these rubbings still make distinctive, transportable, inexpensive and uniquely Cambodian souvenirs. 

Gems are a tempting souvenir. Western Cambodia, particularly in the area of Pailin, is a fertile source of colored stones. The markets in Siem Reap are full of jewelers specializing in Cambodian sapphires and rubies. Gems can be purchased set or unset, but be careful. Fake and low-quality stone scams are not uncommon. Know something about gems and/or know the seller very well before spending much money.

Statues and carvings of traditional subjects, often copies of Angkorian era works, are available in stone, wood and brass. Statues make for relatively heavy, bulky souvenirs but are still very popular because of their beauty and artistic value. The replica of an Angkorian era bust of Jayavarman VII with its graceful lines and peaceful smile is truly captivating and is perhaps the most popular piece. Stop at one of the carving workshops such as Les Artisans D'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles to see craftsman and apprentices producing wood and stone carvings. 

Where to Buy 

There are several styles and types of souvenir shops and markets. The Old Market probably provides the most interesting and challenging shopping experience. Unlike many of the more organized local souvenir shops, the Old Market contains a wide variety of items ranging through everyday trinkets, hidden treasures, mass-produced souvenirs and more. The shops tend to provide a narrower, more select, higher quality range of items.  

Of Siem Reap's two major traditional markets ('psah'), Psah Chas (i.e. Old Market) is the most contains the most tourist oriented items. The north side of the market carries foods and sundries of interest primarily to locals, but the riverside has dozens of souvenir and curio shops some of which stay open well after dark. They have everything from post card and photocopy book to silks, carvings, jewelry and other curios

Angkor Candles

Unique new shop offering selection of candles and lanterns in shapes, themes and motifs from the temples of Angkor. Apsaras, Bayon heads, giant faces, elephants, Angkorian wall motifs. Also offering soaps in Angkorian themes, some essential oils, Cambodian silks and bags. Open 9:00AM - 10:00PM.

Angkor Shopping Plaza

Two expansive floors of air-conditioned shopping. The main focus is on gems and jewelry, offering and absolutely huge selection of gems. Custom orders welcome. Goldsmith always on site. Also offering a wide selection of Cambodia souvenirs including silks and silk clothing, stone, wood, marble and jade statues and carvings, Cambodian silver and foods.


Artisans D'Angkor

Renowned woodworking, stone carving and polychromy workshops. Free tours of the classes and workshops offer a glimpse into the unique skills of the artisans who were trained in the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian artistry. Retail shop features wood and stone carvings, lacquer wares and silk items from Artisans d'Angkor.


Artisans d'Angkor at National Silk Center

Set aside a couple of hours to visit the National Silk Center. The silk farm is a fascinating farm/workshop where you can see the entire silk creation process including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, spinning and refinement, traditional ikat dying, pattern creation, and looming. It's a very interesting and educational tour well worth the time. Retail souvenir shop from Artisans d'Angkor. offering fine silks and silk products made in rural workshops on site.

Asasax Art Gallery

Art gallery featuring the paintings, sculptures and other creations of the noted and unique contemporary Cambodian artist, Asasax. The works of Asasax are also available at the Asasax Art Gallery in Phnom Penh.

Couleurs d'Asie

Siem Reap branch of the well known and respected Couleurs d'Asie Phnom Penh. Specializing in fine silks and silk products. Decor, collectables, hangings, pillows, bags, table clothes. Couleurs d'Asie products are sold at the Magical Memories Shop in the Sofitel Royal.

FCC Shopping

There are several upscale boutiques and galleries at and in front of the FCC Angkor restaurant and bar on the river road near the Royal Residence. Shops include the McDermott Gallery, a branch of the well-known Jasmine and Orange River boutiques from Phnom Penh, Happy Paintings Gallery featuring the paintings of Stéphane Delaprée, Beyond Art and Photo, and others.
FCC Angkor restaurant and bar on the river road near the Royal Residence.

Hagar Design

Small Cambodian silk shop on the ally behind 'Pub Street.' Select designs in handmade Cambodian silk hags, scarves and wallets. Unique rice bag purses. Silver jewelry. Open Monday - Saturday, 9AM - 9PM.

Happy Paintings Gallery

Galleries featuring the paintings of Stéphane Delaprée (Stef), a singular artist with a gentle insight into everyday Cambodia. Original paintings, prints, postcards, T-shirts. Galleries in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Credit cards accepted.
Galleries at the Angkor Century Hotel, Siem Reap Airport, near the Old Market and at hotels in Phnom Penh. 


Kokoon

Boutique, next to Blue Pumpkin, offers a wide range of local crafts : delicatessen corner (teas, spices, honey), fragrant oil, incense, original table-art (tea sets, coffee spoon, table set, plaited bamboo trays), jewelry and copper objects. Also shawls, kramas and a silk blanket collections. Kokoon has used the famous Phnom Srok silk to create a 100% Kokoon, 100% Khmer silk collection.  

Khmer Silk Style

As the name implies, specializing in hand-made Cambodian silks. A wide variety of Cambodian silk products, especially bags, purses, wallets and scarves. Special silk orders welcome. Also some statues, and silver jewelry. Open 9AM - 8PM.


McDermott Gallery

Exquisite black-and-white photography by John McDermott is on exhibit. A cool, relaxing atmosphere, comfortable chairs and stunning portfolios make this upscale gallery a pleasant place to browse. Original fine art photographs, calendars, cards, and posters for sale. Two locations: The main gallery located along the riverfront, between FCC Angkor and the Royal Residence, and the annex on the small road running parallel to 'Pub Street.' 

Rajana

Quality silks, garments, art objects, silver. Unique silk paintings, jewelry and curios. Traditional Khmer and hill tribe crafts as well as contemporary Cambodian creations.
Near the Old Market

Senteurs d'Angkor

Created in 1999, Senteurs d'Angkor pays special attention to quality, originality and authenticity of its products: statues, marbles, antiques, brass, copper and an important place dedicated to silk (kramas and bolts by meter). Also Senteurs d'Angkor manufactures his own range of products such as delicatessen (savory spices, flavored teas, rice brandy, coffee.) and scents (natural soap, oil, tiger balm.). Senteurs d'Angkor products can be identified by their original packaging, handmade from sugarpalm leaves.

Sao Mao
Stylish Euro-Asian boutique with a variety of quality silks and silk creations, garments, art objects, silver jewelry and decor, tableware, unique coconut crafts, and curios. Cambodian coffee. Some spices and teas.

Timbrez

Timbrez operates on the philosophy of 'Responsible Tourism' - i.e. 'ethical standards through direct sale of high quality Cambodian produced hand crafted goods.' Stone, wood and silk products. 25% of all profits supports rural community development projects. Serving breakfast from 6:00AM. Check out the new Balcony Coffeehouse/Cafe on the terrace overlooking the streets. Good Khmer and Western food at reasonable prices.