Khmer handicrafts shopping
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Cambodia is known for its extremely skilled artisans, who use traditional techniques to make a wide range of products. A whole host of items are created in the country’s villages and towns using all sorts of materials, and most of these products find their way to the markets of tourist hubs such as Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Many of the handicraft items for sale in Cambodia are unique to the country and make excellent gifts for friends and family back home.
Markets selling a wide array of Khmer handicrafts can be found in every corner of Cambodia, especially in large touristy towns and cities. Before deciding what to buy, it is important to take the time to choose the right location. A number of shops in tourist hotspots sell locally produced handicrafts to raise money for disadvantaged Cambodians, and these are great places to shop.
Where to buy Khmer handicrafts in Cambodia
One of the best places in Cambodia to shop for handicrafts is Central Market, which can be found in the city of Phnom Penh. This large covered marketplace can be found close to Sisowath Quay and is an interesting place to browse for bargains.
This colourful marketplace tends to be open until late in the day and many people prefer to wander here after dark, when sellers offer discounted rates in order to ensure they go home having made at least one sale. More on Phnom Penh shopping.
Visitors to Siem Reap who are looking for handicrafts such as ceramics and bags should check out the Old Market. Also known as Phsar Chas, this is the city’s largest traditional market and offers an excellent selection of handicrafts including silverware, silk, baskets and hand carved wooden items.
What Khmer souvenirs to buy in Cambodia
A number of traditional craft villages can be found just a short drive from Siem Reap and few local tour companies offer trips there. The great thing about visiting these villages is that visitors can spend time watching the local artisans weaving baskets and carving intricate patterns into wooden furniture before purchasing the finished products.
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There are also plenty of places to shop for souvenirs in Sihanoukville and the Upper Market offers a wide range of locally produced handicrafts. The road running along Serendipity Beach is also known for its handicraft stalls and shops and among the most unusual buys here are products made from recycled drinking straws such as bags, belts and even hats.
Tailor’s shops can be found in places such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and visitors who are looking for something special can have garments made to measure here. Each of these tailor’s shops carries a wide selection of fabrics and patterns and after visitors have made their selection the finished product can be ready to wear in as little as 24 hours. More on buying clothes.
Silk is an excellent buy as the silk available in Cambodia is still woven by hand using traditional methods. This finished silk can either be bought in rolls or transformed into products such as bags, scarves, clothing and purses. The silk in Cambodia is of high quality, while those who know how to barter hard will be able to come away with an excellent deal.
Those who are interested in silk products should pay a visit to the National Silk Centre, which is located just 16kms from Siem Reap. Here, the ancient tradition of silk weaving is alive and well and visitors can take a guided tour of the centre to learn all about the techniques involved in silk weaving, which have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. The National Silk Centre also features a large shop where visitors can take their pick from an impressive selection of finished products.
Some other popular buys in Cambodia include wicker furniture, carved wooden bowls, silver and gold jewellery and the special checked scarf known as a krama. This versatile garment is traditionally made from either cotton or silk and this item is unique to Cambodia, making it an excellent souvenir.
