Stores, Malls or Markets in Phnom Penh

When you first enter the National Museum, the bookstore is on the right side corner. Most of the books here are in English. You can buy a book from variety of titles including cultural, history, Art, Cooking, language, and etc. Some of the books are local publishers, it means their prices are much cheaper. For example, I bought a book title " Khmer Art in Stone" . The book has brief explanation of each Khmer Art Stones that displayed in the National Museum. The book only cost US$2. Great book to learn Cambodia arts before I visit Angkor Wat.

This fascinating little boutique is owned by Christine Gauthier who, on moving to Cambodia in 1996, fell in love with the country. She created this space to display and sell her handmade eclectic and attractive jewelry, whimsical hats, bags and else, made from colorful beads, recycled material and fabric.

Phnom Penh’s Night Market on the riverfront is aimed towards visitors and tourists, Interestingly thought is that it is probably more popular among Khmers than foreigners.

The market has a more relaxing, cooler and festive atmosphere than a typical local market in Phnom Penh. In the middle of the market is a big stage where they most of the time have some kind of performance or concert. There is also a picnic area behind the stage where you can sit down and enjoy the food from the food stands and listen to music.

The Night Market is opened every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 5 pm to midnight.

What to buy: Offering a wide and varied selection of Cambodian handicrafts silks, art, cloths and souvenirs.

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Street 240's tree shaded avenue next to the Royal Palace harbors a unique collection of quality boutiques and souvenir shops, offering Cambodian silks and silk fashions, South-east Asian art, handicrafts, curios and furniture as well as a few restaurants and bars, wine shops, a bookstores and a travel agent interspersed along the way.

What to buy: Street 240 also boasts some of Phnom Penh’s best boutique shopping, from silks and art to fashions and furniture. There is also two of the city’s most complete book stores: D’s Books carrying a selection second-hand fiction and non-fiction and a good selection of kids books and Monument Books, on the corner with Norodom Blvd, offering Cambodia’s largest selection of new books and most extensive selection of Cambodia related book.

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The Central Market (Psah Thom Thmey), is a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. When it first opened in 1937, it was said to be the biggest market in Asia, and today it still operates as a market. For tourists, a 'must see' stop.

The market opens from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

What to buy: Most tourists visit this market because they want to see the extensive amount of products that are offered for bargain. The four wings of this gigantic yellow-coloured dome are teeming with numerous stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, men's and women's apparel, clocks, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, fish, seafood, dessert, luggage, and countless other products.

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Artisan's d'Angkor Phnom Penh

Recently a beautiful new Artisans d' Angkor boutique opened in the old district in front of the Post Office. This fantastic store is over 3 levels and has the same selection as their Siem Reap boutique. Staff speak Khmer, French and English, are extremely helpful and once again there is no pressure to buy.

My purchase here was a head of the female Orant carved in Teak. The price was US$69. The Orants are based on the famous Adorned Orant of Angkor Wat which is in the National Museum in Phnom Penh.

Orant's are very compassionate beings who are assistants to Buddha. By joining their hands they make a greeting gesture and their kneeling position expresses humility.

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This page is mainly a summary of all my shopping pages for Cambodia. All the prices are listed here along with photos of items plus where they were bought from.

Central markets
Ladies Nike tops $2.50 - $3.00
Ladies collared tops $3.00
Ladies Ralph Lauren polo shirts $3.00
Cambodia T-Shirts $2.00
Books $3.00
Assorted wooden compasses $2.00
Singlet's $2.50

Russian Markets
Dvd's & music cd's $2
Adidas & Nike Sandshoes $13
Men’s Khmer Shirts $6
Ladies Khmer Shirts $3
T-Shirts (Diesel, Billabong etc) I bought 3 for $5
Mens Shorts & 3/4 pants diesel etc $ $10
Scarves/Kramas $1
Wrap around skirt/pants $5
Jeans $5
Wooden Buddha (Large) $13
Birkenstock Sandals $5
Large silk bedspreads/tablecloths $6
Angkor Watt Car Shades $3
Material $2 - $3 metre
Singlet’s $2.50B
Books $3 - $5

Table Runners $2
Ralph Lauren Ladies Polo tops $3
Tag Copy Watch Mens $25
Adidas sports watches $4
Large good quality table runner & wall hanger $10
Framed stone carving $10
Mens Khmer shorts $6
Postcards 10 for $1
Ladies Khmer shirts $3
Wrap a round pants $5
Car Angkor wat sun shades $3
Wood tooth pick holders $2

Soyra Shopping Centre
Reebok mens Dry Cool Polo Tops $19.90
Ladies Diesal belt $7
Prada Bag $20
Dolce & Gabbana Bag $20
Fendi Bag $20
Ladies Dri Cool Tops various brands $4 - $5
Carton Angkor Beer $10.90
Bacardi 1 litre $6.90
Dewars Whisky $11.00
Jim Bean $8.95
Reading glasses – tested & ready in 30 mins $70

Soyra shopping centre should not be missed. It reminds me of MBK in Bangkok, but on a smaller scale. There are 5 floors of madness.

There is a good sports wear shop with fantastic prices and I have also mentioned some prices for alcohol from there as well, those these prices seemed pretty standard among Phnom Penhs supermarkets.

I also had a new pair of reading glasses made here. Once my eyes had been tested and I had picked out some nice frames it was all ready 30 minutes later and cost $70.

There is a printer friendly version for the shopping price guide on the link below plus a slideshow of shopping photos.

MoreShopping Photos and Prices,

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Street 178 is known as "Art Street" for the sculpture shops and art galleries that line the street west from Sisowath Quay on the riverfront, past the National Museum and the Royal University of Fine Arts, and ending by Wat Sarawan. The emphasis is commercial and popular Cambodian art in the artists' galleries, handicraft and silver shops, and silk boutiques. However, if you need a large stone Buddha or lion, this is definitely the place to shop for stone carvings. There are also a few restaurants and bars.