Best Shopping In Siem Reap

Here are the best shopping places in Siem Reap to indulge in a bit of retail therapy.

1. Angkor Night Market

Angkor Night Market is the number one location for Siem Reap night market. After the sun is down and the excitement of visiting the temples fade away and the Angkor Night Market takes over the center stage for the tourist crowd. More than 200 bamboo huts bring a rustic feeling to the market. They belong to different organizations which support indigenous art and local artisan communities and help preserve the Khmer art native to this region. Exclusive items include handcrafted décor, jewelry, paintings, silk scarves and garments, bags, toys and many things made from recycled products. Sculptures on stone, brass, and silver are also a common item.

2. Artisans d’Angkor

Artisans d’Angkor is the perfect boutique shop for those who love indigenous art and craft. Khmer handicrafts, handwoven fabrics, home décor items and small pieces of antiquity handcrafted by the local artists and artisans fill up the racks, floors and display units of Artisans d’Angkor. The place helps to preserve authentic Cambodian and Angkorian art and employes more than a thousand locals in their business. A bulk of the profits goes for training young artists for the same job. It is the best place to get souvenirs in Sien Reap.

3. Made in Cambodia Market

Set up on every Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday on Oun Khum Street, Made in Cambodia is an al-fresco market with hundreds of shacks lined up with local souvenirs, jewelry, paintings, clothing. It gets better when the live shows and music on the streets start with the local performers. Do not forget to try out the local cuisine here, especially the featured item Sombai rice wine made from cinnamons, mangoes, anises and red peppers.

4. Angkor Handicraft Fair Trade Village

Shopping in Siem Reap can be a fun task. But, here is another thing one can add to their list. Located in the village of training, Angkor Handicraft Association’s Market has the very rustic, very traditional and very orthodox handicraft shops. Visitors can see the local artisans working on their craft and buy the things as well. Like some other places trying to preserve Cambodian Khmer art, AHA village market also donates all the proceeds to the craftsmen, their family, and their community. As an added attraction, there are different fun activities for the visitors as well, like carving coconuts, drawing oil painting, making bamboo handicrafts or plaiting palm leaf. It is like a workshop but more fun and exciting. It is really an enriching experience to be able to create something so full of heritage with one’s own hand.

5. Jayav Art

Jayav Art is a unique shopping destination for Siem Reap souvenirs. Instead of going with local materials commonly used like bamboo and wood, Jayav Art focuses on the exquisite art of papier-mache. Paper pulps are carefully and artistically curated to create replicas of the grand Angkor temples in various shapes and sizes. The travelers, fascinated by the architectures but lacking the baggage space to carry bulkier replicas home can visit this place for a more offbeat version of the temples.