Halfway between the temples of Angkor and the capital, the province of Kampong Chhnang owes its name to an ancient craft: "the port of pots." In the village of Andong Russey, approximately 300 families continue to shape clay using a wheelless technique, passed down since the 6th century.

Why Visit Kampong Chhnang Pottery Village

This stop appeals to travelers curious about living craftsmanship rather than museums. You observe an entirely manual production chain, in the courtyards of houses, with no intermediaries or staging. The contrast is striking with the monumental sites of the classic Cambodian circuit: here, it is the gestures repeated across generations that make the journey worthwhile.

Three elements make the visit compelling:

• a preserved technique, without a pottery wheel, which sets Kampong Chhnang apart from other ceramic centers in Southeast Asia;
• domestic production, at family scale, which allows direct exchange with artisans;
• a strategic location on the Phnom Penh–Siem Reap axis, making it a logical stop without major detour.

History of a Pre-Angkorian Craft

Archaeological excavations in the region have uncovered kilns and anvil-stones (pebbles used to strike clay from inside the pot) dating to the 6th century. Kampong Chhnang pottery thus predates the flourishing of the Angkorian Empire and long supplied Khmer kitchens with jars, pots, and storage vessels.

After the fall of Angkor, the activity entered a long period of decline. The craft survived sporadically until the early 2000s, when a German-funded cooperation program supported the reintroduction of traditional techniques and training of new generations in Andong Russey. This revival stabilized production and opened the village to visitors.

What to See and Observe

The Technique of Hand-Modeled Pottery

Unlike most ceramic traditions, potters in Kampong Chhnang do not use a wheel. The clay ball is placed on a fixed support at the artisan's height, with the potter rotating around the piece rather than the reverse. The process unfolds in several stages:

• manual shaping of a roughly cylindrical form;
• work on the lower section to form a dome, with the top remaining unchanged;
• use of an internal paddle-and-anvil to stretch and strengthen the walls—the most delicate step, where the slightest crack compromises the piece;
• finishing the opening by rotating around the piece with dampened cardboard;
• incised decoration before drying, then firing in a kiln for several hours.

The Family Workshops of Andong Russey

The village counts approximately 300 artisan families. Workshops are set up beneath stilted houses or in courtyards. Most potters welcome observation and photography of their work. Purchasing directly from a maker remains the best way to support the craft; prices are modest and negotiation is discreet, without excess.

Neighboring Villages

Two hamlets practice the same craft in the immediate vicinity: Bang Skun and Trapeang Sabeu. Visiting them deepens understanding of the sector, with each village specializing in different forms and finishes.

Practical Information

• Visit duration: allow 1 to 2 hours to explore Andong Russey, longer if you include neighboring villages.
• Season: the dry season (November to April) facilitates access to secondary roads; during the rainy season, some paths become muddy.
• Workshop access: there is no centralized ticket office; entry is directly through families; a tip or purchase is appreciated.
• Etiquette: always ask before photographing, remove your shoes if invited into a home, and avoid touching pieces in the drying stage.
• Local guide: an English-speaking accompaniment is helpful for conversing with artisans, as few potters speak languages other than Khmer.

How to Get There

Kampong Chhnang is located on National Route 5, between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. From Phnom Penh, allow approximately 2 hours by road; from Siem Reap, 4 to 5 hours. The town is thus a natural stop to break up the journey between the capital and Angkor.

Andong Russey lies about ten kilometers from the provincial center. A tuk-tuk or local taxi from town will get you there in 20 to 30 minutes. Most organized tours include the stop in a half-day excursion combined with the river port and floating villages of Tonlé Sap.

Combine With

• Bayon Temple, at Angkor, the next stop on the route to Siem Reap.
• The Terrace of Elephants, another major remnant of Angkor Thom.
• Kep Crab Market, to extend exploration of local crafts on the coastal side.
• Mondulkiri Coffee Plantations, for a more rural experience to the east.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prepare Your Journey

The pottery village of Andong Russey naturally fits into an itinerary connecting the capital to the temples of Angkor. To build a circuit combining craftsmanship, archaeological sites, and rural landscapes, explore our bespoke journeys to Cambodge.