Silk Island, known as Koh Dach to the locals, is a small island located on the Mekong River near Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. The island is known for its traditional silk weaving industry and is a popular destination to learn about Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.

The island is relatively undeveloped compared to the bustling city of Phnom Penh, offering a peaceful and scenic escape.

Getting to Silk Island

To reach Silk Island, you can take a ferry or boat from the Phnom Penh Riverside area. The journey typically takes about 30 – 45 mins, depending on the boat and river conditions.

Here, our mini bus was getting ready to board the ferry. Excuse me for being swa ku but this is your city girlie’s first time taking a bus ride on a ferry so it was quite the experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the view of the Mekong River. I filmed it on the Instagram post attached so you can experience it with me too.

Traditional Silk Weaving

Once on the island, we were greeted by a host who showed us around. He guided us through the process while we witness the traditional silk weaving process.

Above is the stages of processing the thread from Silk Worms. Not recommended if you’re squeamish. I’m squeamish around bugs but I survived, lol. Swipe my Instagram post below to take a visual tour of how traditional Cambodian silk is being process.

Many families on the island have been engaged in silk production for generations however, now, most of the silk weavers are widows who live and work on the island. We bought a few silk scarves to support the women here.

Things to Note

• It is recommended to bring some cash as there is limited access to ATMs on the island.
• Consider dressing modestly to respect the local customs and traditions.
• You can choose to purchase the silk scarves on the island. Take note that the price here may be higher than the ones found in markets around Cambodia but it’s to support the women who work here.

Silk Island Tour Guide

I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to our local guide, and now our friend, Lina from Lina Smile Tours for bringing us around for our very first trip to Phnom Penh. She is truly hospitable and was able to cater to my parents’ needs from food requirements to our itinerary and keeping us entertained with stories and jokes all while having a constant heartfelt smile.

If you’re visiting Phnom Penh for Day, Night, Food, City or Bike Tours, look for my friend Lina.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Isabelle Rosta • Lifestyle, Travel & Wellness (@lovebellavida)

This post contains affiliate links.