Varanasi
Owner Harish is scrupulously honest in explaining the differing qualities of the silk scarves, handmade Ladakhi pashmina shawls and bedspreads. Prices are…
Must-see shopping in Asia
Downtown Kyoto
This new youth-oriented department store hails from Tokyo and brings some of that fashion sense with it. It’s a good place to see what’s hot with the…
Yangon
In operation from 1957 until 2008, when Cyclone Nargis destroyed its production facilities, this former factory still has an enormous stock of glass in…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
Singapore's fashion elite, with the very deepest of pockets, peruse the racks of this outpost of famous London fashion retailer. The ginormous warehouse…
French Concession
The shelves are well stocked at this bookshop-cafe-gelato-bar, with a great selection of novels, art books, cookbooks, language references, and books on…
Hong Kong
Ever wondered what happens to all the abalone shells thrown out by Hong Kong's restaurants? Some of them end up here, reimagined as beautiful pendants,…
French Concession
Peruse an exquisite collection of minority handicrafts from China’s southwest, most of which are secondhand (ie not made for the tourist trade) and…
Kochi (Cochin)
India's largest shopping mall, Lulu is an attraction in its own right with people coming from all over to shop, hang out in the food courts or cinema, or…
Fujii Daimaru Department Store
Downtown Kyoto
This smallish department store on Shijō-dōri is very popular with young locals who flock here to peruse the interesting selection of up-to-the-minute…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
Singapore-based Japanese designer Emiko Nakamura keeps Dempsey's society women looking whimsically chic in her light, sculptural creations. Emiko also…
Hong Kong
This shop with a three-storey, museum-like showroom is run by Daniel Chan, the third generation of a family that’s been in the business for 70 years. Chan…
Dhaka
A good place for all your Bangladesh souvenirs under one roof. Aarong is the biggest name in quality Bengali clothing and handicrafts, and is the retail…
Beijing
In a historical area marred by overzealous redevelopment, the shiny new Beijing Fun complex at least preserves several fine Qing-era buildings within an…
Guangzhou
The magpie owners here have accumulated all manner of treasures (OK, and plenty of tat), displayed in the grand surrounds of a former concession-era…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Hugely successful chain with a range of stylish traditional clothing, homewares and accessories in traditional cotton prints and silks. Quality skincare…
Patan
Mahaguthi was founded by a Nepali disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and its Kupondol showroom is a treasure house of dhaka weavings, handmade paper, ceramics,…
Mongolia
Choibalsan’s proximity to China means that its market is well stocked. Purchase anything from fresh produce, dried dairy products and a local relish made…
Kuala Lumpur
Branch of the Malaysian fashion house, selling well-made clothes with an ethnic flavour in soft cottons, linens and silks.
Ginza & Tsukiji
Originally from Kyoto (and in business for 350 years), Kyūkyodō has been producing top quality washi (Japanese paper) and incense for generations (the…
Nusa Tenggara
Ten metres off the road beneath some banana trees you'll find Mama Sariat Libana, mother of Alornese ikat, holding court or playing cards. Originally from…
Bukhara
For carpets, you couldn’t ask for a better shopping atmosphere than at the silk-weaving centre in this cavernous late-16th-century building, located near…
Dushanbe
Largely providing outlets for mobile-phone sellers and pharmacists, the city's original department store has a small selection of souvenirs on the ground…
Siem Reap
The leading Siem Reap gallery for showcasing a mix of international artists and local artists. The flagship collection is by Christian Develter, famous…
Singapore
Singaporean womenswear label Beyond the Vines offers functional and luxurious basics in soothing, pastel hues. Browse the modern brass racks that surround…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
Food, clothing, lucky cats, phone covers and fake watches can be haggled for at this bustling street market between Queen's Rd East and Johnston Rd. It's…
Shanghai
This incredibly glam and glitzy six-storey mall beneath the Cesar Pelli–designed twin towers of the Shanghai International Finance Center hosts a swish…
Kampot
Sharing a contemporary factory space on the outskirts of town with Cafe Espresso, Dorsu sells a range of high-quality wardrobe staples, all designed and…
Chinatown & the CBD
Get your qi back in order at Singapore's most famous and user-friendly Chinese medicine store. Pick up some Monkey Bezoar powder to relieve excess phlegm,…
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
Along with The Mall, this is one of the Isan region's two largest and glossiest shopping malls. Each floor follows a theme such as Paris and Tokyo…
Chin State
Sacrificing atmosphere for organisation, Mindat's new, institutional-looking and orderly indoor market is just off the main road. Small stalls sell…
Ko Samui
This bright, shiny mall is full of international brand shops, cafes and restaurants. There's a really good dining area that offers street-food-style…
French Concession
Fitted out by Shanghai-based designers Neri & Hu and located in the art deco Donghu Hotel building, this is the flagship store of Comme Moi. Created by…
Harajuku & Aoyama
Furoshiki are squares of cloth that can be folded and knotted to form shopping bags and wrap gifts – anything really. This shop sells pretty ones in both…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The lifelong dream of a shoe fanatic is realised in this bright 2nd-floor shop selling a range of home-grown and imported shoes as well as a great…
Osh
Sells a full range of Kyrgyz brandies from 200som to 7000som per half-litre according to quality and ageing (various sizes of bottles available)…
Phuket Town
In a chicly restored old building with arches over the front door, this self-styled ‘tropical concept store’ is all about floaty fabrics, bold colours and…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The top two floors of this old shophouse have been imaginatively turned into a contemporary gallery to showcase local artists. Note the artwork covering…
Downtown Kyoto
Mimuro is a great spot for anyone looking to take home a good-quality kimono or yukata (light cotton kimono). The English-speaking staff will go out of…
South Jakarta
The smaller, sleepier outpost of Plaza Senayan has a relaxed vibe and a small collection of stores. A branch of Din Tai Fung can be found here, as can…
Songkhla Province
The name refers to the fact that the market is held in the old town, and like most night markets across Thailand, the bustling weekend-only event is awash…
