Shopping in Bhutan
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General Stores
Thimphu has a plethora of general shops containing a hodgepodge selection such as light bulbs, stationery, farm implements, shampoo, computer disks and canned fish. To provide even more variety, shops may sell drinks by the glass and their sign may read 'shop cum bar' or the all-encompassing 'general cum bar shop'. Many items on sale are made in India, but there are lots of interesting Bhutanese products, especially textiles, baskets, jewellery, incense, books and religious items.
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Rural Handicrafts Sales Centre
The Rural Handicrafts Sales Centre is a showroom for Khaling’s National Handloom Development Project, so is the place to pick up woven kiras, table runners and scarves, particularly if you can’t make it to the weaving centre in Khaling. Kiras aren’t cheap (Nu 4000 to 16,000) but bear in mind that an elaborate piece can take up to six months to weave.
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A
Bhutan Archery Shop
Catering to the large community of Bhutanese archers, Bhutan Archery Shop specialises in American-made Hoyt brand bows that range in price from US$600 to US$1100. Arrows are the steel-tipped Easton brand, which sell for Nu 280 to 500. It’s a relatively expensive sport. The traditional bamboo bows are usually homemade and the bamboo arrows can be picked up at the weekend market.
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Yoser Lham Shop
The Yoser Lham Shop is the main outlet for the Swiss Farm. The shop sells the farm’s cheese, apple juice, peach brandy and apple or honey wine, as well as soft Gouda or hard Emmenthal cheese at Nu 250 per kg. This cheese is made for eating off the block, unlike the soft Bhutanese datse, which is used only in sauces. Honey is available in July and August.
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B
Vajrayana Art Gallery
Vajrayana Art Gallery features art by self-taught Bhutanese artist Chimmi Dorje, who incorporates Buddhist themes such as prayer flags and mandala motifs into his abstract art. There’s also some fine photography by his brother. The gallery is often closed out of high season.
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C
Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
In the industrial estate at the south end of Thimphu, the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre produces hand-woven textiles on site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. This is one of the few places where you can watch weavers at work.
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Handicrafts Emporium
If you want to wear Bhutanese dress, there are many shops in Thimphu’s shopping complexes that have ready-made gho and kira in a variety of sizes, patterns and quality. Handicrafts Emporium is worth a try.
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DSB Books
Probably Thimphu’s best selection of coffee-table and other books on Buddhism, Bhutan and the region. Particularly good for Bhutanese and Indian newspapers. On the ground floor of Jojo’s Shopping Complex; enter from the lane behind Chang Lam.
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E
Philatelic Bureau
The Philatelic Bureau here has a counter that sells stamps and souvenir sheets of Bhutanese stamps. There is also a tiny shop on the ground floor of Hotel Tandin, which has a small selection of postcards and unusual stamps.
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F
Kelzang Handicrafts
If you want to wear Bhutanese dress, there are many shops in Thimphu’s shopping complexes that have ready-made gho and kira in a variety of sizes, patterns and quality. Kelzang Handicrafts is worth a try
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Handicrafts Emporium
Handicrafts Emporium is the showroom of a government-supported handicraft project and sells textiles, wooden bowls, tables runners and ghos. It’s 250m down a dirt road just past the Leki Guest House.
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Sony Shop
In Thimphu the Sony Shop below the NT Hotel and Jimmy Bros Stationery sell blank video cartridges. Grab a copy of Lonely Planet’s Travel Photography for tips and advice.
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Duty Free Shop
At the Duty Free Shop you can buy imported liquor, wine, biscuits and other ‘luxury’ items, but you have to pay the full price, including duty, unless you’re a diplomat or a senior government official.
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Art Shop Gallery
Located near the Clocktower, Art Shop Gallery has art supplies, traditional paper and handicrafts, and contemporary paintings from the Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu.
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Kuenphen Colour Lab
There are colour-printing facilities in Thimphu and Phuentsholing. Kuenphen Colour Lab in Thimphu has an automatic machine. No lab in Bhutan has facilities to process colour slides.
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Sonam Handicrafts
Sonam Handicrafts has pricey but nice pieces, including chang (barley beer) holders and ornate gau (amulets). Credit cards incur a surcharge of 5%.
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Book World
At the southwestern end of the square next to Jimmy Bros Stationery, this tiny shop has a good selection of coffee-table books and posters as well as internet access.
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Choki Handicrafts
Near the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Choki Handicrafts manufactures and sells masks, thangkas, paintings and painted lama tables called choektse.
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Druktrin Rural Handicrafts
At the rear of the Wangchuk Hotel (enter from Clocktower Sq), this shop offers a great variety and has a small museum with antique jewellery and textiles.
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Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
This small factory produces watermark paper as well as cards, lampshades, envelopes, calendars and other items made from traditional Bhutanese paper.
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Zhayden Nagtsho Traditional Boot Unit
Zhayden Nagtsho Traditional Boot Unit is the place for a pair of traditional handmade Bhutanese boots, retailing around US$60.
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Sangay Arts & Crafts
To purchase the excellent works by students of the National Institute for Zorig Chusum visit Sangay Arts & Crafts.
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Sachak Enterprise
If you are missing a piece of gear for your trek, try Sachak Enterprise for good Nepalese copies of brand-name gear.
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Handicrafts Emporium
The government-run Handicrafts Emporium, on the main street, has books and modern souvenirs at tourist prices.
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Lam Tshering Dirji General Shop
Marked by a row of colourful prayer wheels, this interesting local shop, sells prayer flags, incense and other religious items.
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