The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is steeped in history and has a rich cultural heritage that can be experienced when exploring the city. Situated along the banks of the famous Mekong River, this lively city offers hours of fun exploration and adventure and as you walk along the streets soaking up the local culture you will come across a range of attractions. Among the highlights here are the National Museum, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the Central Market. If you are planning to combine some sightseeing with some shopping and souvenir hunting then make sure to also stop by at the Russian Market.
Referred to as “Phsar Toul Tom Poung”, this fascinating market is the perfect place to find mementos of your trip, gifts to take back to family and friends and unique curios that make for ideal keepsakes. Situated in the south part of the city and around a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride away from the riverside, the Russian Market got its name due to the fact that it was a popular haunt amongst Russians in the 1980’s!
This large market takes some getting used to and you can easily lose your bearings if you do not pay attention to where you are headed to. Of course getting “lost” is part of the charm of this enthralling local market which features an eclectic array of items including silk scarves, antiques, jewellery, DVDs, handbags, handicrafts, branded clothing items and even electronic goods for relatively cheap prices.
While there are no clear divided areas for particular goods, the Russian Market’s eastern side is where you can find an abundance of clothing stalls. Fashionistas will be pleased to know that you can even find genuine branded items from such names as Calvin Klein, Zara and Banana Republic at relatively low prices. The south side is home to many vendors selling DVDs, while those venturing to the north side will have an opportunity to purchase household items.
Of course all this shopping is bound to make you hungry and the central food area which can be found in the centre of the market offers plenty to satisfy your cravings!
When visiting the Cambodian capital and if in search of a centrally located hotel in Phnom Penh that is within easy reach of such attractions as the Russian Market, then Raffles Hotel Le Royal makes a great choice. This luxurious Phnom Penh hotel is an ideal base for your sightseeing adventures in this enchanting city.
