Gift shopping in Asia
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A
Baba Blacksheep
Another reasonable option for silk shopping, with similar prices to Mehrotra Silk Factory.
reviewed
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B
Holland Road Shopping Centre
It’s anyone’s guess whether this ageing shopping centre will survive Singapore’s mania for redevelopment, but if it does, this magnet for expats and fashionable Singaporeans is a great place for art, handicrafts, gifts, homeware and offbeat fashion. Lim’s Arts & Living is a virtual encyclopaedia of home furnishing, Island & Archipelago offers retro, beachy dresses, while EMF has a large selection of secondhand books for sale, rent or trade. Framing Angie is a gallery that’ll also frame pictures. On Level 3 there’s a series of massage and reflexology shops to soothe shop-weary limbs.
reviewed
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C
Reaching Out
Reaching Out is a very worthwhile fair-trade gift shop started by a Vietnamese couple, one of whom is disabled. The shop employs disabled artisans, and proceeds are ploughed back into the business to train and employ the disabled all over Vietnam.
reviewed
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D
Propaganda Poster Art Centre
If socialist art is your thing, check out this gallery which houses a huge collection of propaganda posters. Increasingly prized by collectors, some of them are very rare and prices are correspondingly high. The cheapest start at around Y1000. But there are also lots of cartoons and memorabilia, which are more affordable. Mr Yang, who runs the place, speaks good English and will show you around. Ask to see his collection of dàzìbào, the hand-written posters used to denounce people during the Cultural Revolution. This is the only place on the mainland you’ll see them; most young Chinese have never seen one. The beautiful calligraphy makes for a huge contrast with the vi…
reviewed
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Shopping in Nagoya
The streets around the Ōsu Kannon temple host some of Nagoya's most enthusiastic browsers. Along Ōsu Kannon-dōri and its continuation, Banshō-ji-dōri, a youthful energy fills vintage clothing shops, electronics and music shops, cafés and a hodge-podge of old and new; look for yen=g, which sells used clothing by weight, or Kurazanmai for discount kimono, obi and accessories (though still not cheap-cheap).
reviewed
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E
Janpath Market
Lucknow is famous for the delicately embroidered muslin cloth known as chikan, which is worn by men and women. It is sold in the small but relatively traffic-free Janpath Market. Also in this market is the sweet-smelling Sugandhco, a century-old family business that sells attar - pure essence oil extracted from flowers by a traditional method.
reviewed
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F
Cho Lon
For some offbeat souvenirs, Cho Lon is an interesting gallery offering an eclectic selection of intriguing ephemera: quirky Mao statues, Ho Chi Minh busts, Indian velvet embroidered cushions and other eccentric homewares. It's part of a group of galleries in the block attracting avid collectors of mantle talking-points.
reviewed
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G
Bee Chin Heong
This interesting outlet sells a colourful, bewildering assortment of religious statues, furniture and temple supplies; if you’re after a huge Chinese couch, a household shrine or have RM55,000 to spend on a 2m-tall carved wood Buddha, this is the place to come. Even if you’re not buying, it’s still worth a look round.
reviewed
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South Ceylon Industrial Agency & Handicraft Factories
This place employs traditional craftspeople from villages that specialise in the various handicrafts. You can watch jewellery, leatherwork, batik, lace and machine embroidery being created. And yes, gemstones are polished. Prices are negotiable. A three-wheeler from the station costs about Rs100.
reviewed
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H
Royal Selangor
Malaysia’s pewter specialists aren’t high on the hip list – think the kind of personalised tankards your uncle uses for his real ale – but recently a few items of jewellery have crept into the showroom that might not embarrass even the most painfully fashionable teen.
reviewed
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I
Spellbound
This is possibly the only Western-style magic shop in Singapore. High priest Adrian’s services include tarot readings, consultations, spell casting and other magical consultations. He also has an absorbing stock of arcane goods such as talismans, incense and magical powders.
reviewed
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J
Paradise Road
In addition to a variety of colonial and Sri Lankan antiques, you’ll find a good selection of original homewares here. Paradise Road’s Gallery Cafe carries a similar array of collectables. Both are excellent places to look for small gifts to take home.
reviewed
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K
Dashanghai
This shop on Duolun Rd has a marvellous deluge of Mao-era badges and posters, old records, photos, books, typewriters and assorted Shànghǎi bric-a-brac from the decadent days. With a bit of exploration you are bound to dig up something interesting.
reviewed
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L
Kitsch Stores
If you're looking for a shimmering framed Ho Chi Minh portrait with a clock inset, or a plastic dragon that lights up and sings Old McDonald, check out the collection of Kitsch Stores near the corner of Ð Hung Vuong and Ð Phan Chu Trinh.
reviewed
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M
Wild Child
A refreshing antidote to the overbearing Kidz ’R’ Uz world of mass production. Parents-to-be and baby-shower shoppers of a more traditional bent will love this collection of cribs, toys and other Victorian-style nursery decorations.
reviewed
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N
Homeless
This flagship of a small but growing contemporary interiors retail chain is packed full of good ideas and portable gifts to take home, from smart gadgets such as laser clocks to quirky practical and decorative mugs, chairs, and decorative items.
reviewed
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O
Little Shophouse
Traditional Peranakan beadwork is a dying art, but it’s kept very alive in this little shop. Whatever you think of the gaudy colours and elaborate patterns of Peranakan fashion, you can’t deny the handiwork is exquisite.
reviewed
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P
Tsutsumu Factory
It's the wrapping-paper centre of the packaging-excess capital: Tsutsumu, which translates into 'wrapping', carries hundreds of kinds of gorgeous washi as well as other kinds of paper, numerous greeting cards, and boxes.
reviewed
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Q
Ganga Silk
Varanasi is justifiably famous for silk brocades and beautiful Benares saris. A good place to start is this small shop above the Bread of Life Bakery. Prices are fixed and the staff can explain the different types of silk.
reviewed
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R
Raintree
This early 20th-century villa has been turned into a stylish gift shop, fashion shop and cafe; it includes a branch of ethnic clothes shop Anokhi, which is also found at the Leela Galleria (23 Airport Rd, Kodihalli).
reviewed
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S
Golden Shop
Golden Shop is your bog-standard souvenir shop, and boasts an equal blend of tacky and worthwhile items, ranging from traditionally dressed dolls to commemorative plates.
reviewed
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Zhen Lacquer Gallery
The Zhen Lacquer Gallery is generally kitsch but sometimes stylish, selling shiny lacquered hand-painted jewellery boxes, placemats, utensils, plates and photo albums.
reviewed
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U
Arihant Emporium
Located near Jai Vilas Palace, Arihant Emporium specialises in a Gwalior favourite – silver boxes decorated with images from the tile work on Man Singh Palace (from Rs. 1200).
reviewed
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Ecols
Smart, creative interiors stuff including furniture, bowls, candles and bags, some of it small enough to pack as gift items and all of it made from recycled materials.
reviewed
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W
Hunza Carpet
The bazaar is lined with art and handicraft shops, such as Hunza Carpet, many selling the woollen wares made by local women trained by the Threadnet Hunza programme.
reviewed
