
The Essence of the Khmer Silk Industry
The Essence of the
Khmer Silk Industry
Setting silk standards at the highest level, Cambodia’s Puok Silk Farm is a must when your interest
moves towards seeing the finest fabric being woven. This NGO-supported journey comes
with a detailed overview of all aspects of the silk-making process.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Praised and adored for its smooth characteristics and beautiful patterns, silk has been long one of the main attributes to create clothing, scarfs and used into interior design in many hotels around Cambodia. This protein-fibre material and its applications into textile have been long the base for a stable industry, where local artisans used their weaving skills on looms for clothing royalties and dignitaries in the past.
Its techniques and breeding the yellow silkworms are time-honoured traditions and with places such as the Puok Silk Farm, customers can get up and close with the delicate processes to get the raw material in fabrics of the highest quality.



TRAIL ITINERARY
08:00 - 12:00
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14:00 - 18:00
Your English-speaking guide and driver welcome you at your hotel lobby for a short drive to one of the leading silk farms in the country. The Puok District has been one of the driving centres for silk weaving due to its presence of the much-needed Mulberry tree. Drive west for around 20 kilometres outside Siem Reap through a lush village which benefits from the seepage from the Western Baray and further to a development project for young Cambodians.
All facets of Silk production from the propagation of various mulberry trees, silkworm reproduction, silk extraction from cocoons, cleaning, combing, dyeing and all the intricacies of Ikat weaving are explained and viewed. The final products are on display at the farm, giving visitors an up-and-close look into the final product. Particularly the actual weaving of the thin threads – The Ikat technique (also called “Chong Kiet” in Khmer) – is a pleasure to see. It is one of the most ancient weaving techniques in the world and is used to create designs in fabrics. Artisans weave a tight knot resistant to dyes which forms an original pattern with the complex intertwining of the warp thread and the weft thread
With support from local NGO’s, the centre has turned out to be one of the leading education centres for young silk weavers. The people behind Puok Silk Farm provide training in all facets of silk production for those without any education and to create a great attraction for visitors eager to discover the secrets of handmade silk production. After browsing through the end products and taking the final snapshots of the artists at work, your guide and driver accompany you back to your Siem Reap hotel.