Shopping in Siem Reap
Our Siem Reap shopping guide will provide you with tips and information about shopping in Siem Reap, as well as some socially responsible sound places to shop. Many of the shops are situated in and around the market area where you will find many of Siem Reap restaurants.
Siem Reap Shopping Guide
Buying locally made products is a great way to contribute to any country's local economic growth and this is as true in Siem Reap as anywhere else. There are many shops and market stalls selling handicrafts, silks, silverware, jewelry, carvings and the like and shopping in Siem Reap, and especially in the local markets is a truly unique, fun and rewarding experience.
In the local markets your senses will be awakened with an array of smells, sights, tastes and sounds. Fragrances (some good some bad) will either tantalize or repel from local hairdressers to pungent fish stalls, a host of colouful silks brighten up the displays, and many local food stuffs are available to try and taste. The markets are alive with local chatter, especially if you get there early. In the mornings they are full of local hoteliers and restauranteurs getting the freshest and best deal available for the days business ahead.
In the recent years Siem Reap has been getting a reputation for cool, urban and gritty boutique clothes shops, with a flair of creativity and social consciousness. Look out for shops specialising in clothes for travelling fashionistas including Wanderlust, Poetry, Wild Poppy and Circle.
Siem Reap has a host of shops that are run by NGO's or charities whose profits go toward a worthy cause. You can also visit shops where shadow puppets, wood and stone carvings are made using traditional techniques and a silk farm where silk is gathered from silk worms, dyed and woven. All these are recommended in strengthening the local economy and ensuring locals are benefitting from the tourism spend.
The Old Market or Psar Chas, located conveniently in the town centre, is one of the best places to pick up T-shirts and other souvenirs. Do not buy anything that is claimed to be an antique, because in most cases it isn’t and in case it is, it is most likely stolen. The country has strict laws for the export of artefacts and antiques, so it’s best to avoid them. Make sure you bargain in any local market, it adds to the fun of shopping and the locals enjoy the banter too. Don’t be too aggressive as the extra cents saved maybe the difference of feeding an extra mouth for dinner.
You will find a range of arts and crafts outlets in Siem Reap, many of which also work with local community projects so make sure to shop around...
Angkor Silk FarmPouk District, 15km west of town
Tel: 063 963 330
[view on map] Artisans d' Angkor
200m off Sivatha Road, Old Market Area
Tel: 063 963 330
[view on map]
Center for Friends Without A Border
Achamean Street (Center Market)
Tel: 063 963 409
[view on map] Happy Cambodia
Pi Thnou Street, Old Market Area
Tel: 063 964 402
Kokoon
Pi Thnou Street
Tel: 063 963 830
[view on map] Krousar Thmey
On the road to Angkor
Tel: 063 964 694
[view on map]
Mekong Quilts
5, Sivatha Road
Tel: 063 964 498
[view on map] NYEMO Shop
Angkor Night Market
Tel: 012 789 180
[view on map]
Orange River
Pokambor Avenue at the FCC Building
Tel: 063 760 284
[view on map] Rajana
Sivutha Road
Tel: 063 964 744
[view on map]
Rehab Craft Cambodia
Pokambor Avenue (Old Market Area)
Tel: 063 965 104
[view on map] Sao Mao
Street 9, Old Market Area
Tel: 063 380 400
[view on map]
Senteurs D'Angkor
Old Market Area
Tel: 063 964 860
Whilst it might be a good idea to read up a bit about the history and the temples before you come to Cambodia, you will find a range of books available at different markets and shops.
Most probably you will also come across one or more of the many landmine victims who have taken up trade as booksellers to sustain their living instead of begging on the streets. If you have the time to stop for a chat, you will find that they have good selection of the most popular titles at competitive rates.
Monument BooksPokambor Avenue, Old Market Area
[view on map]
A range of new lifestyle and clothing shops offers visitors the opportunity to buy high fashion in Siem Reap.
AdidasNº. 598-600, Tep Vong St (close to ANZ Royal)
Tel: 063 965 906
[view on map] Bambou Indochine
The Alley West, Old Market Area
Tel: 063 966 822
[view on map]
Bloom Boutique
Old Market Area
Tel: 092 601 328
[view on map] Circle
The Alley West
Tel: 092 649 122
[view on map]
Jasmine
Pokambor Avenue (FCC Building)
Tel: 063 760 610
[view on map] Poetry
The Alley West
Tel: 015 378 088
[view on map]
Wanderlust
The Alley West, Old Market Area
Tel: 063 965 980
[view on map] Wild Poppy
Sivatha Road
Tel: 077 568 874
[view on map]
Perhaps surprising for some, Siem Reap is actually a good place to load your iPods and MP3 players with the latest in films and music. Or you might want to check out some of popular Khmer singers like Sin Sisomouth, new artists like Preb Sovath, Khemarak Serey Mon or Khmer bands like Dengue Fever....
DVD PlanetThe Alley West, Old Market Area
[view on map] Rouge Cambodia
Pi Thnou Street, Old Market Area
Tel: 012 703 264
[view on map]
Markets, Convenience Stores and Others
In addition to Siem Reap's popular Old Market, you will find a variety of different local markets and convenience stores.
Angkor Night MarketJust off Sivatha Road
Tel: 092 654 315
[view on map] Angkor Trade Centre
Poambor Avenue (Old Market Area)
Tel: 063 766 666
[view on map]
Lucky Mall
Sivatha Road
Tel: 063 760 740
