Shopping in Around The Kathmandu Valley
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Authentic Himalayan Textiles
Authentic Himalayan Textiles 'From exile to textiles' could be the slogan in this stylish showroom, which specialises in antique striped Tibetan aprons, known as pangden, that have been collected from across the Himalaya (each region has its own characteristic design). Older pieces are used to create stylish patchwork wall hangings, cushion covers and bags, and any spare threads are rewoven into carpets.
Even the carpet dust is reused in paper production! Products aren't cheap but you can be sure that only traditional vegetable dyes have been used.
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Mahaguthi, Durbar Sq
One of the best of the 'crafts with a conscience' is Mahaguthi, which was established with the help of Oxfam. It has three shops and sells a wide range of crafts produced by thousands of people across Nepal. It's a one-stop shop for beautiful hand-woven dhaka weavings, Nepali paper, pottery, block prints, woven bamboo, pashminas, woodcrafts, jewellery, knitwear, embroidery and Mithila paintings. The main showroom is in Kopundol.
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Tachupal Tole
Shops and stalls catering to visitors are concentrated around Tachupal Tole. Bhaktapur is renowned for its woodcarving and you'll see good examples in stalls around Tachupal Tole and the alley beside the Pujari Math, right under the peacock window in fact. Popular pieces include copies of the peacock window or masks depicting the god Bhairab.
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Mahaguthi
Mahaguthi was founded by a Nepali disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and its Kopundol showroom is a treasure house of dhaka weavings, handmade paper, ceramics, block prints, pashminas, woodcrafts, jewellery, knitwear, statues, singing bowls, embroidery and Mithila paintings. There’s a second branch in Kathmandu’s Lazimpat district.
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Jawalakhel Handicraft Centre
The Jawalakhel Handicraft Centre, established in 1960, is a large cooperative workshop where you can watch the carpet-makers at work and buy the finished article. The quality is high, there is a great selection, the prices are fixed, credit cards are accepted and staff can arrange shipping for you.
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Kumbeshwar Technical School
Near to the Kumbeshwar Temple in the backstreets of Patan, the Kumbeshwar Technical School provides disadvantaged low-caste families with training, education and a livelihood, making carpets, knitwear and woodcarvings. Sales from the showroom help fund the work of the attached school.
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Dhukuti
A shop worth looking at is Dhukuti, which represents the artisans of the Association of Craft Producers. Browse several floors of clothes, batiks, bags, paintings, toys, woodcarvings, felt slippers and even Christmas decorations, produced by over 1200 low-income women.
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The Peacock Shop
The Peacock Shop is near the Peacock Window down the side of Pujari Math. Prices are higher than some other stores, but so is the quality and you can visit the workshop to observe the pressing, drying, smoothing, cutting and printing of the paper.
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Patan Industrial Estate
Despite the dubious-sounding name, this tourist-oriented crafts complex boasts a number of workshop showrooms selling high-quality carpets, wood carvings and metalwork. It’s around 500m south of Lagenkhel Bus Stand.
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Woodcarving Studio
Artist Lee Birch’s studio displays some of the best carvings in the valley, made on site by Newar woodcarvers. Prices are generally high, but so is the quality. It’s best to call ahead to check it is open.
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Tsering Art School
The shop at this art school has an on-site tailor and workshop that produces thangkas, incense and clay sculptures. The shop also sells incense, CDs and a few Buddhist books.
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Tsering Art School Shop
The shop at Shechen Gompa has an on-site tailor and a workshop that produces thangkas, incense and sculptures. The shop also sells Buddhist reference books and CDs.
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Sana Hastakala
A recommended fair-trade emporium, Sana Hastakala sells paper, batiks, Mithila crafts, felt products and clothing woven from natural fibres.
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Dhankuta Sisters
A recommended fair-trade emporium, Dhankuta Sisters sells tablecloths, cushion covers and clothing made from dhaka cloth from eastern Nepal.
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Namaste Supermarket
Sharing a building with the Hotel Narayani, this is where expats come to stock up on quality local produce and the tastes of home.
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