Must-see shopping in Kashmir & Ladakh

  • Dzomsa

    Leh

    Fill up drinking-water bottles here (₹7 per litre). Dzomsa also offers an environmentally friendly laundry service (₹95 per kg, same day service if given…

  • Jigmat Couture

    Leh

    Ladakh's first home-grown fashion house uses local design as starting inspiration and sources much of its raw material from nomadic herders. This is the…

  • Kashmir Government Arts Emporium

    Srinagar

    Kashmiri crafts and saffron at fixed prices are displayed in the century-old half-timbered former British Residency Building (gutted by fire in 1998,…

  • Ladakh Bookshop

    Leh

    Hidden upstairs opposite the entrance to Chokhang Vihara, this excellent bookshop publishes locally relevant works and stocks the updated 2013 edition of…

  • Venture Ladakh

    Leh

    Mountaineering outfit that rents trekking and climbing gear such as tents (₹200), crampons (₹100) and stoves (₹50), sells trekking gas cannisters (₹500)…

  • Norbulingka

    Leh

    Upmarket boutique of Tibetan crafts that is part of the Tibetan Government in Exile's Norbulinka Institute of Tibetan Culture. Top-notch products include…

  • Dzomsa

    Leh

    This outlet of Dzomsa in Upper Changspa has all the services of the main branch – water refills, laundry service and organic local products and juices.

  • Nowshera Bazaar

    Leh

    This pedestrianised street of tiny shops is full of tailors and barbers, but several shops also sell prayer flags, Chinese brocade, carpets and other…

  • Lehling Bookshop & Cafe

    Leh

    This well-stocked bookshop is the first in Leh to install its own comfortable coffee shop area, with very decent espresso and wi-fi that actually works.

  • J&K Government Arts Emporium

    Kashmir & Ladakh

    Kashmiri souvenirs include a range of papier-mâché work, silk shawls, crewel embroidery, carpets and saffron (₹295 per gram), all at fixed prices.

  • Tibetan Refugee Market

    Leh

    Leh has several colourful handicraft markets run by long-term Tibetan refugees, many from families who first fled to Ladakh more than 50 years ago.

  • Kashmir Government Arts Emporium

    Srinagar

    This usefully located branch offers papier mâché boxes, embroideries, shawls, carpets and saffron, with no hassle and at fixed prices.

  • LEDeG

    Leh

    A disorganised collection of locally produced crafts, greeting cards and woollen clothes.

  • Indus Wine Shop

    Leh

    Alcoholic drinks to takeaway. Closes on the 8th, 15th and last days of the Tibetan calendar.

  • Wine Shop

    Srinagar

    Rare and unsigned takeaway outlet for alcoholic beverages.

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