Siem Reap Cambodia Shopping Guide; Artisans d' Angkor

Siem Reap is known as the gateway to the Angkor Wat temples but for a unique cultural experience as well as to purchase local art; visit Artisans d' Angkor.

The city of Siem Reap, Cambodia is known for its amazing Angkor Wat temples, but this up and coming city is also home to many luxury spas, fine hotels and unique shopping destinations.

A visit to any one of the local markets; like the night market, will provide shoppers with a wide range of souvenirs and traditional crafts to take home. But for high-quality locally produced items, Artisans d’ Angkor is the place to shop. They specialize in intricately designed wood and stone carvings, silver-plated objects, silk painting, scarves, and hand lacquered art.

Artisans d' Angkor is actually a network of self-sustaining stores and facilities that are committed to providing fair trade, locally produced Cambodian art. Their Chantiers-Ecoles facility, located in the heart of Siem Reap, offers free informative daily tours in multiple languages. Visitors can watch local artisans handcraft many fine products such as silk paintings, wood and stone carvings and metal plated art. Afterwards shoppers may purchase many high-quality but affordable items from the gift shop.

What to Buy in Siem Reap

Intricate stone carvings similar to those found at the Angkor Wat temples are wonderful souvenirs to take or ship home. The traditional art of stone carving in Cambodia is a skill that pre-dates the Angkor Wat era. Using the same techniques and materials as their ancestors, these skilled artisans produce high quality sandstone sculptures and statues depicting ancient deities and kings.

Artisans d' Angkor specialize in hand-crafted scarves and shawls made from 100% locally produced fine silk. These beautiful scarves and shawls come in a variety of hand-dyed natural colors and can be purchased at any one of their shops. Many other items such as luxury hand-woven and hand-dyed pillow cases, hand bags and wallets are also available.

For those interested in the production of silk and silk crafts visit the Angkor Silk Farm. The ancient art of silk weaving is a highly skilled process that requires much time and practice. During a tour of the silk farm, visitors can learn about the production of local silk products from start to finish. Watch how silk is collected from the cocoon of the Mulberry Silkworm and then made into silk products using the traditional techniques of silk weaving and hand dying.