Central Market Place guide

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Phnom Penh

Central Market

Grab a little Piece of Cambodia in Phnom Penh’s Central Market

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Visiting a foreign destination is not complete without entering the city’s central market. A lot of experienced travelers know that this is the place to be to see the daily lives of the locals flash before your very eyes. In the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, there is one hotspot people need to visit before saying goodbye to their Cambodian adventure, and it is found within the walls of the city’s central market.

Also known as, Psah Thom Thmey (New Grand Market), this giant yellow dome, with four rams extending into hallways filled with goods, is Phnom Penh’s most popular destinations. Built in the year 1937, it boasts its Art Deco inspired structure used to be a lake that received runoff during the rainy seasons, but today, it serves a completely different purpose. Of course, the number one activity visitors do here is shopping. Surrounded with rows and rows of local goods that entice the senses, shoppers might find it difficult to purchase only one product. From the bursting colors of native fruits and vegetables, handcrafted jewelries that give-off a silent glow, and the sharp spices of their famous eats, the Central Market is surely a haven for those who love to shop till they drop.

Unlike a lot of public markets, the pathways in Phnom Penh’s Central Market are quite spacious and breezy because of the open air. Trip Guru suggests potential shoppers to not be in a hurry when purchasing a product. You might miss a couple of unique and amazing items, if you take your time and walk around a little bit. Also, it is good to brush up on your haggling skills – you might not know when you need to compete with the prices offered by the seller.

Since the Central Market is a popular destination, it is quite easy to get there. You can hop on a tuk-tuk and it will take you straight to the market. It is open from 7:00AM to 5:00PM and the best time to arrive is either in the early opening hours or late in the afternoon – especially if you want to avoid the heat.

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