Old Market (Psar Chas), Siem Reap: What to buy and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Old Market (Psar Chas)

The market is located at 2 Thnou Street. The available sources describe what it sells and its role in the town but give no history, so none is stated here.

Useful facts

Old Market (Psar Chas) facts at a glance

Location

2 Thnou Street, central Siem Reap

Experience type

Covered town market

Known for

Souvenirs, silk, silver, carvings and food stalls

Price signal

Bargaining is expected

Best time

Morning or late afternoon

Good for

Souvenirs and local life

Why it matters

Why Old Market (Psar Chas) is worth your time

Siem Reap's Old Market is the traditional shopping centre of the town and a handy reference point, since many businesses give their address relative to it. It shows the town's everyday life as well as its tourist trade.

For a visitor it is the easiest place to compare souvenirs, taste local snacks and see how people shop. It is also a useful way to judge prices before buying elsewhere. It is also the simplest way to gauge fair prices, since the same goods appear across many stalls within a few lanes of each other.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   The souvenir section

   T-shirts, silk, silver, carvings and Buddha statues.

2. 02

   The food stalls

   Rice, fruit, soups and baguettes for locals.

3. 03

   Pub Street next door

   Restaurants and cafes within a short walk.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Walk in from the Pub Street side and follow the lanes. The market serves both locals and tourists, so you will see food and souvenir sections side by side: rice, vegetables, fruit, baguettes and soups on one side, T-shirts, silk, silverware, wood and stone carvings and Buddha statues on the other.

Go in the morning for the local side and for cooler weather. Souvenirs are a matter of bargaining; start at a lower price and settle politely. Check that items like silver, silk or carvings are as described, and keep expectations modest on quality.

By late afternoon the market is quieter, and the lanes nearby come alive for dinner. If you are vegetarian, look for fruit stalls and baked goods, and remember that many stalls sell dried fish and pork. A short loop with a drink at a cafe is plenty for most visitors, and the surrounding streets are good for easy walks.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

2 Thnou Street, central Siem Reap

Time needed

1 hour

Best time

Morning for local life, late afternoon for browsing; avoid midday heat

Walking level

Easy

Senior comfort

The market is covered and flat but crowded, with narrow aisles and uneven floors. It can be hot and noisy. Take a break at a nearby cafe and consider a morning visit.

Tickets and access

Free entry. Bargain gently, check change carefully, and ask before photographing stallholders. Many stalls accept US dollars.

Plan it with

FAQs