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A covered maze of stalls and vendors, the Old Market is a key landmark in the center of Siem Reap. You’ll find some of the same souvenirs that are for sale within the Angkor Temples area, without the premium prices. There are hot foods for sale, as well, and it would be easy to make a dinner out of banana pancakes, fried insects, roasted corn, and other fresh treats. If you’re hoping to decode the unfamiliar menu items, consider visiting the Old Market on a guided food tour.
The Siem Reap Old Market on the west side of Siem Reap River is where the local population head to in the early mornings to shop for a wide array of fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat as well as household items. Locally known as Psar Chas, it’s the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap and a must-visit for those looking to experience the local lifestyle.
The open-air market is covered by a massive roof, offering ample shade from the sun if you’re here on a scorching afternoon. While the stalls aren’t as refined as the ones you might find at newer markets like Angkor Night Market. The wet section of Old Market is located close to the central food court, where local vendors display live seafood in fish tanks and butchered poultry atop ice trays while the dry section offers tropical fruits, household appliances, pre-packaged snacks, as well as local condiments such as prahok (fermented fish paste).
Bargaining over prices is expected here, and some gentle negotiation can save you cash. Following a few guidelines can help ensure your shopping experience is fun, not stressful. If you’re shopping for a few big-ticket items, ask around about the customary price before coming to the market. Once there, stay relaxed and keep the process friendly. Finally, keep in mind that it’s not always worth getting rock-bottom prices, which might come at the expense of the vendor’s living wage.
While the Old Market is open from 5am to 6pm, the independent vendors set their own hours. Morning hours tend to be the least crowded—at least in the souvenir sections—so if you’re planning on doing some serious shopping, try to arrive before the tours return from Angkor Temples.
The Old Market is located between the following roads: Street 9, Street 11, 2 Thmou St., and Pokombor Ave. It’s walking distance from many downtown hotels, but there are many transport options if you’re coming from farther afield. Open-air tuk-tuks are everywhere; car taxis are abundant as well, though slightly more expensive.
The tiny 12th-century Buddhist temple of Neak Pean (sometimes written Neak Poan or Neak Poun sits on a circular stone island in a square pool, framed by four more pools, all built on an island in the middle of a lake. The temple’s name means “entwined serpents.”
A favorite Angkor sunset spot, Pre Rup is a 3-tier mountain temple topped with five sanctuary towers. Built in 961 AD as a temple to the Hindu god Shiva, Pre Rup’s name means “turn the body,” and some believe it was used for cremations. Its warm brickwork and red laterite stone look beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
The sprawling temple complex of Angkor Thom, an ancient Khmer capital formerly ringed by a crocodile-infested moat, surpasses the world-famous Angkor Wat in both size and scale. Each of the site’s five gates are heralded by avenues lined with 108 deities that represent good and evil, which provide spectacular photo opportunities before you even step inside.
The Siem Reap Art Center Night Market is open from morning until late in the evening, but it is more of a night market than an art center. Close to the Old Market (Phsar Chaa or Phsar Chas), the site boasts a wealth of stalls selling crafts, souvenirs, the obligatory elephant pants, and snacks.
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Siem Reap Old Market (Phsar Chas)
