While many travelers see photographs as the best way to preserve memories from their vacation, for visitors to Cambodia, images are just not enough—for many reasons. The little country, perched on the Indochinese Peninsula, has a rich history, well-preserved arts and craft skills, and much more. You will find a lot of fun, unique, and irresistible items spread around its streets and local markets. The many shopping centers and boutiques, especially in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, are other good spots to discover rare products. But of course, unlike in the Western markets, bargaining is the norm to get the best prices. With so many stuff on display, what to buy in Cambodia might be a challenging decision to make, which is why we handpicked some ideal options for you. Check them out!
1. Textiles
Recall memories of this beautiful country by wearing locally made fabrics. Cambodians have a longstanding culture of using cotton and silk. Among the most popular are batik fabrics, made with special dyes in different colors. You should also look out for cotton materials made with eye-catching handwoven designs. These products are aplenty, especially in villages, the famous Russian Market, and Siem Reap’s Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles.
2. Woven mats
Cambodia can get hot, and sleeping on the bed or the couch may not be pleasurable. Locally made woven mats have saved the day for centuries and can be found in almost every home. Don’t be surprised when given one to sit on when you visit a typical Cambodian family. These mats are made with natural materials, including rattan and grass, and usually take a lot of time to finish. Nowadays, however, modern technology has resulted in more mat designs, which you can find on the streets and villages, especially in Prek Toal.
3. Soaps and candles
The countryside of this region is filled with a variety of herbs and other natural ingredients from trees and grass. The locals make use of these products to make soaps and candles with sweet fragrance, making them the perfect souvenirs to take home. These soaps have a medicinal effect on your skin due to their purely organic content, sometimes including extracts from lemongrass, Kampot pepper, and sugar palm tree. Many stores around the country, especially Senteurs d'Angkor in Siem Reap, are focused on selling entirely organic soaps and candles.
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4. Silverware and silver jewelry
How would you like to shop for valuable material for only a fraction of the normal price back home? Silverware and silver jewelry are common things to find in local markets around the country, although most are imported from Indonesia. Typically, they contain about 80 percent pure silver, and the prices depend on beauty and design. You can get the best prices in shops that line the streets of Phnom Penh or some silver stalls in the famous Russian Market.
5. Betel nut boxes
ANTIQUE CAMBODIAN FINE SILVER KHMER BETEL NUT PUMPKIN BOX. 584 gr, H. 14cm, W. 20cm, D. 14cm
Posted by Antikasia on Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Betel but boxes are various-shaped handmade crafts made with silver and other metals, and they feature beautiful designs. Originally, the design, material, and size of the product portray the owner’s status, but nowadays, these boxes are mostly used for home decoration. Authentic ones have a higher percentage of silver. These ornate pieces are lightweight, and you can use them to add beauty to the interiors of your home.
6. Rice paper prints
Before I finished, I made sure the borders were even from the back of the frame.
Posted by Compass Rose Frameworks on Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Simple but beautiful, rice paper prints make for a cheap and perfect Cambodian memento. To make one of these, local artisans place a piece of rice paper on a mold from a bas-relief carving of one of the sacred Angkor sanctuaries. They are finished by using soft charcoal to rub the body lightly. Afterward, they are framed and illuminated, forming an attractive object you will love to have in your home or gift a close friend. Also, they are small in size and lightweight, making them perfect for a souvenir.
7. Sculpture reproductions
Mined stones were used in ancient times to make sculptures and temples, and nowadays, they are utilized in making attractive sculpture reproductions. Making these quality and beautiful recreations employs high levels of skill and craftsmanship. You will find lots of these items in the form of Buddha’s heads, petit statues, apsaras, and more, all around the local markets. Although they are heavy, these crafts are affordable and free to export, except if you are passing through Thailand on your way back home with Buddha figures.
8. Cambodian silk
Silk making is another longstanding Cambodian tradition that is still employed today to make incredible purses, dresses, clothes, scarfs, and more. The Khmer people of Cambodia are known for this craft. The art is time-consuming, usually taking several weeks to complete the weaving and dyeing processes. The final pieces, however, come at very reasonable prices, but vintage collections are indeed costly. One popular Cambodian silk product is the krama, a widely worn scarf. To find this product at reasonable prices, head to Koh Dach, where the historic silk center is located, some 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) from Phnom Penh.
9. Copper arts
Copper arts is another well-preserved, traditional skill that is employed to sculpt attractive figures of spirits and gods from copper. Skilled artisans take several hours to bring out the beauty and quality of the end product. Due to the high cost and weight of copper, these sculptures are not a popular souvenir. However, they are worth keeping if you have the money and space for them. Check out some of the best designs at Artisan d’Angkor in Siem Reap.
10. Mekong quilts
If you want to preserve your trip to Cambodia for a lifetime, then get some beautiful Mekong quilts. These pieces are usually crafted by women in rural areas to make a living, and they feature eye-catching designs and vibrant colors. They are soft and lightweight and will make perfect gifts for friends and families. The Siem Reap region is best in displaying some of the most beautiful designs.
Preserve the memories of your trip
With the many temples, museums, shopping malls, and the beautiful countryside of Cambodia, your visit is bound to be memorable. And one way to preserve such remarkable moments is by getting some souvenirs. After you have made your choices of what to buy in Cambodia, getting a local guide is a good idea to get authentic items at local prices.
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