Shopping in Asia
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A
Dempsey Rd
These former British Army barracks have been turned into warehouse shops specialising in antiques. In this delightful, pleasantly disorganised setting, you'll find anything from Kashmiri carpets and teak furniture to landscaping ornaments and antiques - and a couple of excellent wine bars. It's a fascinating place to explore, attracting crowds of expats and well-to-do Singaporeans at weekends.
reviewed
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B
Psar Tuol Tom Pong
Haggling at this market requires peering over mounds and mounds of clothing and quality kramas (chequered silk scarf worn around the necks, shoulders and waists of nearly every Khmer). It is often referred to as the Russian Market, as back in the 1980s it was the Russians' retail outlet of choice. It is the best place for souvenir T-shirts, CDs, DVDs and miniature carvings.
reviewed
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C
Kiddyland
Just as the name suggests – Kiddyland is kawaii (cute) overdose in the heart of Harajuku. Not just for tots, you'll find droves of teenagers playing around on weekends. The flagship store along Omote-sandō-dōri is under construction until the end of 2012 – the address above is for the smaller location on Cat St.
reviewed
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D
IFC Mall
Hong Kong’s most luxurious shopping mall boasts 200 high-fashion boutiques linking the One and Two IFC towers and the Four Seasons Hotel. Outlets include Patrick Cox, Geiger, Longchamp, Kenzo, Vivienne Tam, Zegna…we could go on. The Hong Kong Airport Express Station is downstairs.
reviewed
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E
Junkudō
In the BAL Building, this shop has a great selection of English-language books on the 5th and 8th floors. This is Kyoto's best bookshop now that the old Maruzen and Random Walk bookshops have closed (you may remember these shops if you visited in the past). There is an excellent cafe on the top floor, which has a great view over Kyoto to the Higashiyama mountains. You can get light meals here as well as drinks.
reviewed
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F
Panjiayuan Antique Market
Beijing’s most beloved flea market sells almost every Chinese knick-knack imaginable. It’s a great spot for souvenirs, but bargain hard and treat any claims of antiquity with scepticism. Not much goes on here during the week. Instead, get here early on the weekends for one of the most fun shopping experiences in Beijing.
reviewed
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G
Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles
Lao Textiles sells high-end contemporary, original-design fabrics inspired by older Lao weaving patterns, motifs and techniques. The American designer, Carol Cassidy, employs Lao weavers who work out the back of the attractive old French-Lao house. They are internationally known, with prices to match.
reviewed
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H
Central Airport Plaza
Anchored by a Robinson department store and, compared to Kad Suan Kaew, this mall is more upmarket with more international brands and a more affluent clientele. The Northern Village complex on the 2nd floor sells high-quality souvenirs with set prices. Silks and ready-made clothes are good buys.
reviewed
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I
Sogo
This Japanese-owned store, in the hub of Causeway Bay, has 12 well-organised floors and more than 37,000 sq metres of retail space. The range is mind-boggling: over 20 brands of ties just for starters. Eclectic departments include the Barbie Counter and the Character’s Shop.
reviewed
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J
Fabindia
Founded as a means to get traditional fabric artisans’ wares to market, Fabindia has all the vibrant colours of the country in its cotton and silk fashions, materials and homewares, all in a modern-meets-traditional Indian shop. The Santa Cruz outpost is also good.
reviewed
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K
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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L
Computerland
Techie travellers will find joy at Computerland a three-storey building crammed with dozens of private dealers selling everything from flash drives to the latest laptops. It is located behind the Canon Showroom, which also has a computer shop.
reviewed
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M
Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre
The Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre has a good selection of local lacquerwork, brassware and other craft items in a colonial-era showroom covered in a patina of age (see above). There are some craftspeople working on the spot.
reviewed
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N
Janpath Market
Aka the Tibetan Market, this touristy strip sells the usual trinkets: shimmering mirrorwork textiles, colourful shawls, brass oms, and dangly earrings and trinkets galore. It has some good finds if you rummage through the junk. Haggle hard.
reviewed
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O
Kopnoi
This shop targets the discerning shopper with east-meets-west clothing in natural fabrics and dyes, designer jewellery, homewares and handicrafts, books on Lao cuisine, architecture and crafts, packaged spices and teas and local art.
reviewed
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P
L’Etranger Books & Tea
New and used books about Laos and Southeast Asia, plus book rental and books bought for cash or trade credit. Art is showcased on the 2nd floor, which doubles as a tea lounge.
reviewed
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Q
Handloom House
This is a huge department store thronged with locals. Alongside some questionable clothes are mountains of fixed-price bandhani, silk saris and woollen shawls.
reviewed
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R
Bayon Market
Recently relocated to a bigger premises, Bayon Market has a good range of products, including some nice surprises that don’t turn up elsewhere in the city.
reviewed
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S
Picture This
The vintage posters, photographs, prints and antiques maps of Hong Kong and Asia on sale here will appeal to collectors or anyone seeking an unusual gift or souvenir. There’s also an assortment of antiquarian books related to Hong Kong. Prices are not cheap but they guarantee all maps and prints to be originals. Sunday opening hours are noon to five.
reviewed
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T
Odel Unlimited
Head here to shop with the glamorous. You’ll find everything from homewares, designer-label clothing and sportswear to banana soap.
reviewed
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Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store
Most older locals remember when this housed a prison and an execution room, not an upscale mall.
reviewed
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V
Cinnamon
Cinnamon sells gorgeous Indian-designed clothing, jewellery and homewares in an ultrachic white retail space.
reviewed
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Song
A central boutique that specialises in sophisticated linens and cottons for men and women.
reviewed
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X
Maria Brothers
Secondhand and antiquarian books.
reviewed
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Y
Wheeler's Bookshop
Wheeler's Bookshop
reviewed