Shopping in Thimphu
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Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
This private centre at the south end of Thimphu 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. A finely embroidered kira can take a year to make and cost over US$1000; cheaper ones start at US$40.
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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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Bhutan Archery Shop
Catering to the large community of Bhutanese archers, this store specialises in US-made Hoyt brand bows that cost from US$600 to US$1300. Arrows are the steel-tipped Easton brand, which sell for Nu 550 to Nu 720. Traditional bamboo bows are usually home-made, but bamboo arrows can often be picked up at the weekend market.
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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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C
DSB Books
This place has probably Thimphu's best selection of coffee-table and other books on Buddhism, Bhutan and the region. Its prices are reasonable, especially for Indian editions, which are cheaper than overseas editions. It's on the ground floor of Jojo's Shopping Complex; enter from the lane behind Chang Lam.
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D
Philatelic Bureau
This tiny back room at the post office offers the best souvenir sheets of Bhutanese stamps. Also for collectors, a tiny stall on the ground floor of Hotel Tandin has a small selection of postcards and unusual stamps. Several of the souvenir shops also sell stamps.
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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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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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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 sells masks, thangkas, paintings and painted lama tables called choektse. Many products come from the affiliated Choki Traditional Art School.
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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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Sangay Arts & Crafts
You can purchase works by students of the National Institute for Zorig Chusum at this nearby shop, run by a former student.
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Sachok Enterprise
If you are missing a piece of gear for your trek, this place has both real and fake brand-name gear, and the owner is honest about what's what.
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Norling Audio
CDs and tapes of Bhutanese and Bollywood songs are available here for Nu 200 to Nu 400.
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Zangmo Handicrafts
Sells work from the National Institute for Zorig Chusum and sometimes also has students practising there.
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Pekhang Bookshop
Next to the Luger Cinema, this stationary shop is good for magazines and newspapers.
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Namgyel Tyres
Namgyel Tyres stocks hiking boots and is your best bet for larger sizes.
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Megah Books
Has a smaller selection that includes some dusty, hard-to-find-elsewhere books on Bhutan.
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Druk Handicraft
Good range of ‘antiques’, handicrafts and earrings.
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Yarkay Central Building
If you prefer to keep the legwork to a minimum, this shopping complex has several craft stores under one roof, including Druk Handicrafts, Kelzong Handicrafts and Kurtoe Handicrafts.
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Tsering Dolkar Handicrafts
Unlike many Thimphu craft shops, this one stocks mostly Bhutanese crafts, and is strong on jewellery. Visa cards accepted.
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Sephub Gyeltsen Tsongkhang
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National Handicrafts Emporium
This large emporium run by the government has fixed prices and is on many itineraries. It closes an hour earlier November to February.
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Lungta Handicraft
The best buys here are the larger items like bamboo boxes, carpets, metal ewers, even antique saddles and monastic trumpets, but expect to pay US$250 for a good piece. The antiques all have stamped seals from the National Commission, which mean they are safe to take through customs. Like many shops, they can arrange pricey but convenient DHL shipping.
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