Karakol
Stop by for a decent selection of outdoors clothing and apparel, or in winter time to rent snow-sports equipment.
Must-see shopping in Central Asia
Tashkent
A fiesta of fruit bathing in the teal-green glow of its giant, octagonal flying saucer of a roof.
Almaty
Best place in Kazakhstan for hiking, road and city maps; also has dictionaries and phrase books.
Tashkent
Lacks the character of Chorsu, but locals say it has the best, if priciest, produce.
Bishkek
Sells and repairs mountain bikes, ski equipment, and other types of outdoors gear.
Bukhara
The virtually tourist-free Shahriston Market is in a large courtyard, where locals trade blingy jewellery and house-sized carpets among themselves and…
Almaty
Almaty's burgeoning middle class shops at supermarkets and glitzy malls stocked with expensive, often imported, goods and at international stores such as…
Bishkek
For traditional Kyrgyz goods, including white imitation-felt ak kalpak hats (80som) and colourful shepherds' chests, there are a series of stalls at the…
Bishkek
Postcards, basic maps and a mere handful of English-language books plus a museum section and a sweet, traditionally styled chaikhana room. Descend the…
Karakol
Many of the most artistically imaginative shyrdak that you see around town are created by this family company, which has several small workshops tucked…
Bukhara Artisan Development Centre
Bukhara
Here you can watch artisans at work on a variety of handicrafts including suzani, miniature paintings, jewellery boxes and chess sets. Bring your own…
Tajikistan
This ingenious mobile shop opens out into a veritable dressing room with mirror and choice of Pamiri and Afghan costumes. Customers either pose in…
Bukhara
This no longer has anything to do with Unesco (which helped them launch in 2001), but you can still observe weavers here hand-making pricey silk carpets…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
This 24-hour supermarket in the central stretch of town sells a wide variety of packaged goods, and has a decent selection of snacks and drinks for a self…
Bishkek
The showroom/gallery of the Kyrgyzstan Union of Artists is upstairs in a faded, once-grand, Stalin-era building which also hides some artists’ workshops.
Tashkent
Has simple maps of Tashkent, Uzbekistan and most provincial centres, plus better 1:450,000 maps of most provinces published by Ozbekiston Viloyatlari.
Bishkek
With a range of European and Turkish stores plus a decent top-floor food court and bowling alley, this is a popular hangout for local families.
Tashkent
An impressive ceramics workshop that also functions as a museum and shop. You'll need to get someone to ring to arrange a visit.
Kyrgyzstan
Stock up on camping supplies at this 24hr supermarket one block west of Coffee.
Kyrgyzstan
The large supermarket with a good selection of packaged goods is a decent place to stock up on staples before a hike.
Bishkek
For stocking up on food supplies for camping, this large hypermarket is the best option near the city centre.
Issyk-Köl Oblast
Cholpon-Ata's small market has the standard range of breads, fruits, and vegetables.
Almaty
The biggest and newest mall with small skating rinks (has a climbing centre too).
Ashgabat
Once one of Central Asia’s most spectacular sights, Ashgabat's legendary Tolkuchka Bazaar is now sadly unregonisable following a government relocation…
Ashgabat
If you want to buy carpets, Turkmenistan tracksuits or inexpensive cotton clothing, visit the Altyn Asyr Marketing Centre, opposite the Grand Turkmen…
Ashgabat
Turkmen bookshops are little more than propaganda storefronts to promote national glory, but the best selection of books can be found at Miras Bookshop…
Ashgabat
This has reputedly the biggest fountain in the world. Inside it’s rather less than impressive – an all but empty two-floor shopping centre, although there…
