Pottery Factories of Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia

Why Kampong Chhnang Pottery Factories Draw Visitors

The pottery factories clustered around Kampong Chhnang province offer one of Cambodia’s most tangible connections to living craft traditions. Located roughly 90 kilometers north of Phnom Penh on the fertile banks of the Tonle Sap river, these workshops produce the unglazed earthenware jars, stoves, and figurines used across the country. Unlike museum displays, the factories remain active production sites where visitors watch clay being dug, wedged, thrown on foot-powered wheels, and fired in open kilns.

Getting There and Getting Around

Most travelers reach the area by bus or shared taxi from Phnom Penh’s Central Market; the journey takes about two hours along National Road 5. Once in Kampong Chhnang town, moto drivers or bicycle rentals provide easy access to the riverside villages of Andong Russey and Phnom Chhnang. Boat trips from the town pier also reach floating pottery stalls during the wet season when the river rises.

What to See and Do

Begin at the larger factory compounds where clay is stored in huge mounds. Workers demonstrate each stage: mixing sand with local clay, shaping pots on low wheels, and stacking hundreds of pieces inside temporary kilns built from rice husks and wood. Smaller family workshops allow closer inspection of finished water jars and decorative elephants. Many sites sell seconds at modest prices, and some offer short hands-on sessions to try throwing a small bowl.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from November to April brings reliable weather and lower river levels, making road access straightforward. Mornings are coolest for watching firings, which often occur before midday heat builds. Avoid the peak of the rainy season when paths turn muddy and kilns may be idle.

Nearby Attractions

Combine a pottery visit with a boat ride on the Tonle Sap to see floating villages or continue north to the ancient temple ruins at Sambor Prei Kuk. The provincial market in Kampong Chhnang town sells fresh river fish and woven baskets that complement the pottery purchases.

• Allow at least two hours to observe a full firing cycle.
• Bring cash in small denominations for direct purchases from artisans.