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 Traveller's Tales: Shopping suggestions in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Get the best advice on shopping in Siem Reap, Cambodia. You may read about shopping malls, souvenir items and best buys in the area. Also, you might want to read our
Angkor / Siem Reap city guide,
and Phnom Penh city guide.
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| R Gonzalez |
19 March 2005 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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The Old Market area's an interesting place to buy souvenirs (bargaining here is a pleasant experience). Most vendors accept US dollars, but make sure to bring lots of small notes. They don't accept coins, so be prepared to receive change in local currency, or in kind as I opted (i.e. 3 pcs. instant noodles in exchange for $.50 change).
Many quaint, reasonably priced restaurants surround the Old Market. Try the home-made ice cream/sorbet at the Soup Dragon restaurant.
Needed a memory stick for my digital camera and found one at the Sakallork Photo Shop on Route Number 6. It's a small store with a friendly staff. The owner even gave me a free ride to the Old Market on the back of his motorcycle.
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| S Dominy |
24 February 2005 |
Stayed at Bopha Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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In Siem Reap, you do not have to worry about being located in the centre of town because everything is a short ride away. Central Market is good for nice gifts - beware that everything that looks old and antique probably isn't! We had a fabulous guide for the temple visits, Ponheary, who was a fascinating and knowledgable person to spend a few days with. Contact her on ponheary@yahoo.com. She speaks French and English. All her family members are also guides but I believe she is the best.
I was told 2 days was all you need to visit the Angkor area if you are not a temple buff. However, I wish we had at least 3 days as there are some wonderful sights further out which sounded very interesting. If you can't afford to stay at The Grand Hotel, Angkor, at least try to have a meal or drink there. The Fine Dining restaurant serves wonderful Khmer food. Even though it is probably the most expensive place in Siem Reap it is still very reasonable by Western standards (about US$40 per head with wine). They also do Apsara dance shows with buffet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. These require advance booking. Beware the Apsara shows at the cheaper restaurants - they tend to be amateurish.
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| L Ramirez |
11 September 2004 |
Stayed at Princess Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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TukTuk is a cheap way to get around Cambodia. A travel around the whole town only costs $6. They can take you to the temples also.
Don't miss out on a dinner and cultural show. I forgot the name of the restaurant but it was close to the hotel. They had a buffet which was excellent and the cultural show was fascinating as well.
When shopping, always bargain. Try to bring the price down to half and usually the sellers will sell them to you. I bought an Angkor book for $5 eventhough it was listed for $24. I bought it at the street vendors next to the temple. When I tried buying it inside the hotel, the lowest they would sell me was at $10. It is always cheaper to buy at the market or street vendors.
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| D Plane |
07 May 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Village Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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FCC is good for lunch. Buy souvenirs from the Central Market, not from the large souvenir places along the road to Angkor Wat - we bought shadow puppets at the markets for US$10 each which were on sale at the other places for US$75 each, and a wooden buddha for US$14 at the markets which were on sale for US$140 at the larger establishments - they looked identical to me. We had a driver and guide for 2 days - I think a guide was good for one day but I would have liked to just wander on my own on the second day. The tour groups are alarmingly ubiquitous, and it was rare for us to be on our own at any of the wats or temples, which I found disappointing. The shadow puppet show on Wednesday nights at La Noria (with dinner) was really great. And the people, without exception, were friendly, charming and seemed genuinely interested in talking with us.
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| I Scobie |
12 March 2004 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Angkor Cafe Restaurant at the west gate to Angkor Wat is a fantastic cafe for lunch or dinner. It is really clean & has friendly staff. Another great place to have a coffee around the old market area is Kokoon Cafe. Not only do they sell great coffee but they also sell sandwiches, cakes,pastries & wonderful home-made ice cream. The old market isn't much but is worth a visit to experience the ambience of everyday life.
We found it not necessary to organise a tour prior to arriving in Siem Reap as the hotels are more than able to do this for you at a cost of $20 a day for a driver & $20 a day for a english speaking guide. We organised a visa prior to travelling as it is easier & less hassle once you arrive at the airport. It is also worth taking an extra passport photo for your tour pass into Angkor Wat. The US$ is used at all times & it is a good idea to take along small notes. If you are looking for a very good quality artefact we suggest that you visit the Artisans D'Angkor.
Once at the hotel grab a copy of the current Angkor Guide available at all hotels. The guide list information about exploring temples & dinning out.It even has a small map of Siem Reap showing where the restaurants, temples & places of interest are located. We had trouble with Exotissimo travel company as once we arrived in Siem Reap we were expected to pay double the amount that was agreed to via email. The staff were rude & we were not off to a good start. Thankfully for us we had a wonderful staff at the Borei Anglor Hotel & Mr Mom arranged a english speaking guide & driver within an hour. Our guides name was Vanna Tan & his contact detail are (855)012866143 we would highly recommend him.
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| A Scott-watson |
22 February 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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With 2 kids under the age of 5, one has to avoid temple "burn-out", so the 4 excursions below were nice diversions:
1. The highlight for us was a little boat trip on the Tonle Sap lake along the floating village: about $20 for a boat to ourselves, we left the hotel at 3:30pm and were there well in time for the sunset. There is a little floating bar/crocodile farm that serves cool beers with boiled shrimps...Magic.
2. Another winner for our kids was an elephant ride at the Bayon.
3. A trip to the local silk manufacture (near the Artisans d'Angkor) was also interesting for parents and children alike, and very friendly.
4. We also rented a small boat on the largest reservoir to reach the middle island and its ruined temple. Got a coconut drink there, away from the crowds.
Parents: go to Cambodia with children, the local people love kids and it is possible to enjoy the temples, with lots of drinking water and a bit of patience.
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| N Roberts |
10 February 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Century Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Highly recommend visiting Siem Reap. Temples are magnificent--do with private guide--very reasonable with car and driver along with guide. Tuktuks are great fun for short rides around town. Recommend Bopha Angkor restaurant--good Khmer food. Also, see Artisans d'Angkor--both carving school and silk farm. Massages away from hotel $3/hr.
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| C Basham |
01 January 2004 |
Stayed at Sofitel Royal Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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FCC is a decent restaurant with some good shops and bar area too. Visiting Ankor Artisan is a must - you are given a quick tour of the workshops where young people are trained for a year before then going to help with conservation on sites. The shop sells wonderful silks and bas-reliefs etc, all the money goes to conservation.
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| R Chesney |
30 December 2003 |
Stayed at Angkor Saphir Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Recommend mount everest for indian food. Bayon for thai food. Lotus for different types of food. Run by belgian. Buy silk products from old market. Cheaper than in thailand. Angkor wat is immense. A lot of walking and climbing stairs and hills. Get up at 5:30 to get to angkor wat for picture of sunrise of angkor. $40 for 3-day pass to angkor. Worth it. Try and find a good guide beforehand.
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| A Wright |
25 March 2003 |
Stayed at Angkor Village Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Siem Reap is building a new hotel at every single block. And it was surpringly expensive. The local explanation points to U.N. influence - that the town is used to serving foreigners and adopted foreign pricing on many things.
But we were there for the temples, and they can't be beat. Absolutely stunning beyond words. Although in some temples, I felt like a wall could collapse at any time on top of me. Get a car and guide to help you tour Angkor. It's not very expensive and you can set your itinerary much more flexibly.
Note that there is no dry cleaning in Siem Reap (bizarre). But internet access is easily obtained at local cafes and hotels.
Cambodians do not bargain like the Thais when shopping (in fact, they seem to resent it). Also, don't seem as outgoing or friendly (except those who work in hotels). Not much of Siem Reap other than proximity to the temples.
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