Central Market (Psah Thmay), Phnom Penh

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The Central Market was built in 1937 and is a masterpiece of Art Deco design - perhaps one of the finest examples of this era in Southeast Asia. The building features a huge central dome with four wings but it was being renovated when I visited in December 2008 and all the food stalls were crammed next to each other outside. Normally the inside is teeming with numerous stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, men and women apparels, clocks, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, fish, seafood, dessert, luggage, and countless other products.

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The Central market is in a large ART DECO building.

There are heaps and heaps of stalls, inside and surrounding the market, where I think you could find virtually everything, including, gold shops, money changers, electronic shops, & more.....
You can buy a Khmer scarf from here if you wish.

All roads seem to lead here, and it is very busy. I thought the items that I bought here, were very reasonably priced. These were a couple a pair of shoes and some nice bags.

WELL WORTH A BROWSE AROUND!

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If you can’t find what you need in the Russian Market, head out to the Central Market. Before you enter the main building you can find rows and rows of food & drink stalls which goes at a really cheap price. Inside the main building you can find things like pirated watched, jewelry, clothes, books and other stuffs which sure to make you want to take out your wallet and buy them all.

This is great for a visit, soooo much shopping you can do, it is fun!! You can find really many clothes, watches, bags, etcetera... and the prices are really cheap, just bargain and you will get your price. Just walk pass the 'shops' and enjoy!

Visit this busy market for gold shops, money changers, electronic shops, stationary, second hand clothes, food, watches etc... Though the choice of goods for sale may seem comparable other markets, the quality is usually superior to what you would buy elsewhere.
The structure was built in 1937 in Art Deco style on an area that was until 1935 a lake collecting the runoff during the rainy season.

Built in 1937, the dome-shaped Central Market is the main market for the citizens of Phnom Penh. The wide variety of shops sell gold, silver, clothes, clocks, shoes, flowers, antiques and much more. For the tourist, it’s more of a scene to watch the Cambodian way of life and their interactions with one another.

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This is an excellent opportunity to try to find anything you need, or you don't need, but could serve you for a present to one of your friends, when coming home. Impossible to imaging something they don't sell. And even , when they don't have what you want, they will send somebody away to find it for you.

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Worth a go to wander around, inside the huge easter egg looking structure itself houses lots of watches, jewelry, silver and etc. Outside there is a bonanza of foods and little shops selling clothes, bags and little trinkets. Overall I didn't feel like there was a ton to buy here, more just things to see and a chance to sample some foods. There are definately better markets in Phnom Penh.

I probably could just have walked from the Sisowath Quay to the Central Market but I still found the weather very warm in January so I took a Tuk-tuk. The design of the building is rather nice and inside you'll find the shops grouped according to the architecture: in the middle - jewelry shops - the alleys away from the circle comprise on one hand of garment sellers, on the other hand of electrical/games stuffs, and so on and so forth. Haggling is an art and it is quite fun because Cambodians are very kind people. With all the grimaces and smiles, you both can settle at a price you are both (not) happy with ; ) And then, take a rickshaw (bicycle) with your goodies on your way back to the hotel and you'll feel like a satisfied tourist with your good buys.