South Delhi
Right beside INA metro station, this popular, but somewhat stage-managed, open-air food-and-crafts market is a cavalcade of colour and sells regional…
Must-see shopping in Asia
Seminyak
Rice fields just a few years ago, this air-con mall deserves a compliment for being discreetly placed back from the street. The selection of shops is…
Colombo
In addition to a variety of colonial and Sri Lankan collectables, you’ll find a vast selection of original homewares and designer items in this crammed-to…
Jenggala Keramik Bali Ceramics
Bukit Peninsula
This modern warehouse showcases beautiful ceramic homewares that are a popular Balinese purchase. There’s a viewing area where you can watch production,…
Padang
Translating as ‘big market’, Pasar Raya lives up to its name: this massive, sprawling site is the centre of Padang’s shopping universe. Here you'll be…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
It might sound like a tourist trap, but the Raffles Hotel gift shop is a good spot for quality souvenirs, whatever your budget. Remaining open while the…
Jaipur
To check gem purchases are the real deal, and to receive an authenticity certificate, you can deposit your gems at the gem-testing laboratory between 10am…
Battambang
Joseba Etxebarria travelled 37,000km through 29 countries on a bicycle, and took some pictures of people while he was at it. The results are stunningly…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Founded in 1711, this traditional Japanese doll manufacturer is the place to come to see the exquisite craftsmanship of these ornamental figurines,…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Such lovingly curated shelves! If only Beijing had more alleyway boutiques like this. Slow Lane tempts with Tibetan yak-wool blankets, ceramic teaware…
Yangon
Meaning 'to hug' in Japanese (the business was started by a Japanese woman), Dacco offers a lovely selection of Myanmar crafts and souvenirs sourced from…
Dili
This small outlet sells well-designed, modern, handmade laptop bags, Christmas tree decorations, tea towels and soft toys. The work is done by formerly…
Downtown Kyoto
While the Kyoto branch of Tokyu Hands doesn't have the selection of bigger branches in places like Tokyo, it's still well worth a browse for fans of…
Samarkand
Around and behind Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand's frenetic, colourful main market is a great place for both vegetarians and photographers (vegetarian…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Haji Abu's small Chor Bazaar shop offers a cornucopia of vintage Bollywood posters, lobby cards and show cards dating to the 1930s (originals and reprints…
Jakarta
This high-end mall is centrally located and offers a wide selection of stores, including leading Indonesian boutiques and the likes of Cartier and Louis…
Kathmandu
Good range of crafts and home furnishings, much of it made by disadvantaged or minority groups, with transparent pricing on pashminas (Rs 2325 for a…
Yangon
Run by experienced curator and art researcher Nathalie Johnson, this gallery showcases works by top contemporary local creatives across a range of media…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Arguably one of India's top fashion wizards, with prestigious showings in Milan and New York fashion weeks, Sabyasachi is a Kolkata designer credited with…
Bukit Peninsula
Right at the turn to Bingin, this outlet of the awesome Seminyak surf shop is also a small cafe (mains from 55,000Rp) and gallery. All the Drifter surf…
Downtown Kyoto
Occupying two basement floors of the BAL department store, this excellent bookshop has a massive range of English-language books across all subjects,…
Singapore
Snugly set in a mall filled with Asian arts and crafts shops, Antiques of the Orient is a veritable treasure chest of original and reproduction vintage…
Asakusa & Sumida River
If the basic black or navy blue ink of pens is too common for you, let Ink Stand help you create your own personalised colour. For ¥2700 for a 33ml bottle…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
This long-running establishment owned by a Tibetan family is reputed for its collection of intricate silver jewellery and curios, most of them embellished…
Seminyak
The Middle East meets Asia at this glossy high-concept store with Bali-designed housewares and clothing. It has a small cafe with healthy breakfast and…
Thimphu
This is one of Thimphu's best cloth and clothing stores, with ready-made ghos (traditional dress for men) costing from Nu 2000 and kiras (traditional…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Reminiscent of Imelda Marcos at her most flamboyantly glamorous, the frocks created by award-winning Malaysian designer Khoon Hooi are notable for their…
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Hachi cafe and secondhand shop is a treasure trove of Hawaiian shirts, vinyl and other quirky items that could make cool souvenirs. Grab a coffee and sit…
Downtown Kyoto
This is one of the best places to buy washi (Japanese handmade paper) in Kyoto. It’s got such unusual items as washi computer printer paper and washi…
Southern Antiques & Reproductions
South of Colombo
Anyone with a penchant for interior design will enjoy visiting this Aladdin’s Cave of treasures. Most of the pieces are too big to transport (lots of…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
Managed by one of Asia's best-known bookstore chains, this is Thailand's largest English-language bookshop. There's a vast catalogue of bestsellers,…
Hyderabad
Running west from the Charminar, this bazaar is famed for its sparklingly colourful bangle shops. A Hyderabad specialty are lac bangles, made from a…
New Delhi
These twin markets, made up of small shop fronts stretching along Janpath, sell shimmering mirrorwork embroidery, colourful shawls, Tibetan bric-a-brac,…
Yangon
In an elegant house, this is Yangon's best-stocked bookshop, spread over two storeys with a fantastic collection of titles on local topics. The in-house M…
Jaipur
This tiny outlet in the Hotel Pearl Palace highlights the talents of Jaipur's traditional block printers blended with contemporary design. Handmade and…
Vientiane
Lao Textiles sells high-end contemporary, original-design fabrics inspired by generations-old Lao weaving patterns, motifs and techniques. The American…
Kowloon
Bursting the seams of this minimall is cheap streetwear from Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, with a few knock-offs chucked in for good measure. Patience and a…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Tucked around the corner from Arab St, this gallery-esque store is a treasure trove of contemporary giftware. Circle the huge central bench while you pore…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Tucked away at the top of the Gardens Mall, the Studio is a treasure trove of contemporary Malaysian fashion and beauty loveliness that's worth searching…
Kandy
The Buddhist Publication Society, on the lakeside 400m northeast of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a nonprofit charity that distributes the…
