Central Market & Russian Market

A trip to at least one traditional market or called Phsah is a must. If you visit only one or two markets, begin with the Russian Market and the Central Market. Both offer curios, souvenirs and a cultural shopping adventure. They open and close with the sun but are pretty sleepy between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm.

Central Market or called Phsah Thmei, in fact itmeans the New Market - but in English we translate the Central Market, is the largest and most traditional market in Cambodia. This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp or lake that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-1937. A vestige of the old lake, rainy seasons still bring minor flooding to the area. The entrance to the Central Market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and karmas/scarves. Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also in ample supply. Russian Market of called Phsah Toul Tom Poung is a market mostly serving the foreigners or tourists. This market is of far less architectural interest but has a more varied selection of souvenirs, curios, and silks than the Central Market. It also has a good selection of CDs, VCDs, videos, fabrics, electronic goods and so on. Most of what the visitors might want is in the same general area on the south side but the rest of the market is well worth exploring.