Journal · 7 min read
What to Buy in Siem Reap: A Local Guide to Authentic Khmer Crafts
By Hélène · May 18, 2026
Most people come to Siem Reap for the temples of Angkor and leave wanting to take a little of it home. The town is full of markets and shops, but the quality of what's on offer varies enormously, and a lot of what looks local was made somewhere else entirely.
We live and make our pieces in Siem Reap, so this is a guide from the ground: what's genuinely worth buying, and how to tell authentic Khmer craft from the mass-produced version sitting next to it on the shelf.
Shopping in Siem Reap, from someone who lives here
Siem Reap's markets are wonderful to wander, but they mix true handmade craft with imported goods that mimic it. The trick isn't to avoid the markets; it's to know what you're looking at. A few genuinely local categories are worth seeking out, and they travel home beautifully.
Authentic Khmer crafts to look for
Handwoven textiles and the krama
The krama, Cambodia's traditional cotton check scarf, is the single most authentic thing you can buy here. It's light, useful, and woven across the country. Learn its full history on our krama page, then look for versions in real cotton rather than printed polyester. Our Peace Krama comes in six colours.
Handmade bags
A cotton tote or a roomy cabas made from krama fabric is the souvenir you'll actually use, for the market, the beach, or a day among the temples. See the Grand Cabas and the Cabas Medium.
Home and décor
For something that lives on after the trip, woven krama placemats or a botanical poster of Cambodia's palm trees bring the light and landscape home. Browse the home collection.
How to tell handmade from mass-produced
- Feel the fabric: handwoven cotton has weight and a slight irregularity; printed polyester feels flat and slippery.
- Check the finish: real craft has honest, slightly uneven seams; machine goods are perfectly uniform and often glued.
- Ask the seller where it was made. A genuine maker will name the workshop or province without hesitation.
- Be wary of impossibly low prices: true craft takes time, and someone has to be paid for it.
We design and handmake every piece right here in Siem Reap. 100% handmade in Cambodia.
See what we make →Bringing it home: ordering and delivery
If you'd rather not gamble at a stall, buying directly from a maker means you know exactly what you're getting. You can read more about the people and craft behind our pieces in our story, and find delivery details on the shipping page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Siem Reap known for shopping?
Siem Reap is known for handwoven textiles, especially the krama check scarf, along with handmade bags, silverwork, carvings and home décor. The best buys are genuine Khmer crafts made by local artisans rather than imported goods.
What souvenirs are unique to Siem Reap and Cambodia?
The krama scarf is the most distinctly Cambodian souvenir. Handmade cotton tote bags, embroidered pouches, woven placemats and botanical prints of Cambodian palms are also authentic and easy to pack.
How do I know if a craft in Siem Reap is really handmade?
Feel the material, check the seams for honest irregularity, ask the seller where it was made, and be cautious of very low prices. Handwoven cotton and hand-stitched details are hard to fake once you know what to look for.
Is it cheaper to buy a krama in Siem Reap?
Prices at markets can be low, but very cheap kramas are usually imported and machine-printed rather than woven in Cambodia. For a genuine handmade krama, buy from an artisan or brand that confirms it's made in Cambodia.
