Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia

  • beautiful cambodian silk scarves for sale; Shutterstock ID 118515040; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Gillmore; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online-Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: 65050/ Online Design /LaurenGillmore/POI

    Artisans Angkor

    Siem Reap

    On the premises of Les Chantiers Écoles is this beautiful shop, which sells everything from stone and wood reproductions of Angkorian-era statues to…

  • Jewel

    Singapore

    Located at Changi airport, and directly connected to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Jewel is a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination jam-packed with food outlets…

  • Yangon, Myanmar - Jan 14, 2015. The Sule Boulevard with famous Bogyoke Market built in 1926 and formely know as Scott Market. Sule Boulevard are the busiest street in Yangon.; Shutterstock ID 285905090; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Yangon images for city app POIs

    Bogyoke Aung San Market

    Yangon

    Several hours can easily be spent at this historic covered market, with over 2000 stalls selling everything from gold and diamond jewellery to tattoos. It…

  • Bells and other treasures hanging in the Russian Market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Russian Market

    Phnom Penh

    This sweltering bazaar is the one market all visitors should come to at least once during a trip to Phnom Penh. It is the place to shop for souvenirs and…

  • Sweet stall, Sunday walking street market.

    Sunday Walking Street

    Chiang Mai

    On Sunday afternoon Th Ratchadamnoen is taken over by the boisterous Sunday Walking Street, which feels even more animated than Th Wualai's Saturday…

  • Pavilion KL

    Kuala Lumpur

    Pavilion sets the gold standard in KL's shopping scene. Amid the many familiar international luxury brands, there are branches of chains including COS,…

  • MBK mall.

    MBK Center

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    This eight-storey market in a mall has emerged as one of Bangkok’s top attractions. On any given weekend half of Bangkok's residents (and most of its…

  • CHIANG MAI, THAILAND - 2006/08/13: The popular walking street market which attracts thousands of locals and tourists each weekend. The market opens in the evening and vendors sell a wide range of goods from traditional produce to pirated DVDs and CDs.. (Photo by Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Saturday Walking Street

    Chiang Mai

    The Saturday Walking Street takes over Th Wualai, running southwest from Pratu Chiang Mai at the southern entrance to the old city. There is barely space…

  • Shoppers at night market.

    Angkor Night Market

    Siem Reap

    Siem Reap's original night market near Sivatha St has sprung countless copycats, but it remains the best and is well worth a browse. It's packed with…

  • BooksActually, bookshop interior.

    BooksActually

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Arguably Singapore's coolest bookshop, BooksActually has a refreshing selection of fiction and nonfiction titles, including works by Singaporean authors,…

  • Bynd Artisan

    Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens

    Connoisseurs of bespoke stationery and leather will love this sublime store that prides itself on artisanal excellence. Select from the range of handmade…

  • Design Orchard

    Singapore

    Like a breath of retail fresh air, Design Orchard pays homage to local talent and Singaporean design compared to the big-name brands dotting Orchard Rd…

  • Handicraft Night Market

    Luang Prabang

    Every evening this tourist-oriented but highly appealing market assembles along Th Sisavangvong and is deservedly one of Luang Prabang’s biggest tourist…

  • Kong Heng Square Artisan Market

    Ipoh

    During the colonial era, these walls formed the city's large single shop block. Today a cluster of craft stalls has sprung up around this light-flooded…

  • Seenspace

    Hua Hin

    Seenspace is Thailand's first beachfront mall and word is still getting out. A trendy layout of concrete walls and open-air areas comprise food stands and…

  • Love Anchor

    Canggu

    Built in a traditional joglo style, this wood- and palm-tree-laden Canggu village is the trifecta of hipster retail, food and shopping. You can kick back…

  • Turquoise Mountain

    Yangon

    Reviving traditional crafts, including jewellery making and textile weaving, is the mission of this NGO which occupies a beautifully restored, heritage…

  • Hla Day

    Yangon

    Meaning 'beautiful' in Burmese, Hla Day is a superb example of a social-enterprise shop. It offers quality contemporary and traditional handicrafts…

  • ICONSIAM

    Bangkok

    This megamall on the Chao Phraya River has six floors dedicated to luxury shopping, encompassing everything from high-end to high street. It also rolls in…

  • Aksara

    South Jakarta

    A wide selection of books (many in English) plus fine stationery and writing accessories make this hip hang-out a must-stop for anyone interested in words…

  • Peduli Alam Bali

    East Bali

    A non-profit outfit encouraging recycling and raising eco-consciousness in Amed, Peduli Alam ('Protect Nature') collects 50 tonnes of rubbish from this…

  • Seekers Independent Spirits

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia's only gin distillery makes its smooth, sippable Mekong Dry Gin from 13 botanicals, including pandan leaves, galangal, kaffir lime and lemongrass…

  • Rumah Bebe

    Singapore

    Bebe Seet is the owner of this 1928 shophouse and purveyor of all things Peranakan. She sells traditional kebayas (Nonya-style blouses with decorative…

  • Jepun Bali

    Denpasar

    It's like your own private version of the Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali: Gusti Ayu Made Mardiani is locally famous for her endek (traditional sarong) and…

  • Pasar Santa

    South Jakarta

    On the 2nd floor of a rundown old-school mall you'll find Jakarta's hipster entrepreneurs. Dozens of individual booths sell everything from retro…

  • Nuam Chin Traditional Store

    Chin State

    Handmade, elaborately patterned Chin longyi at this shop across from the CB Bank can sell for a whopping K260,0000 – antique ones for K600,000! That gives…

  • MBoutik

    Bagan

    This colourful boutique has gorgeous textiles, bags, toys, handicrafts and clothing that are entirely produced by a women's cooperative started by the…

  • Lhong 1919

    Chinatown

    Spanning a group of restored defunct Chinese warehouses on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, this concept shopping complex combines the old-world…

  • T'Shop Lai Gallery

    Vientiane

    Imagine a melange of aromas – coconut, aloe vera, honey, frangipani and magnolia – all of them emanating from body oils, soaps, sprays, perfumes, lip…

  • Sifr Aromatics

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    This Zen-like perfume laboratory belongs to third-generation perfumer Johari Kazura, whose exquisite creations include the heady East (30mL S$125), a…

  • Museum of Ethnic Arts

    Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas

    Although billed as a museum, the bulk of items are for sale in this extraordinary private collection of tribal arts from Borneo. You'll also find Nonya…

  • Municipal Market

    Mae Sot

    Mae Sot’s municipal market is among the largest and most vibrant we’ve encountered anywhere in Thailand. There’s heaps of exotic stuff from Myanmar,…

  • Unique Penang

    George Town

    Be charmed by the colourful artworks, prints and postcards of friendly young owners Clovis and Joey, as well as the many images created by the art…

  • Kawinthip Hattakham

    Loei Province

    This shop selling Phi Ta Khon masks and other festival-related artefacts makes for a fun browse and is great for unusal souvenirs. It also has bike hire …

  • Siam Discovery

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    With an open, almost market-like feel and an impressive variety of unique goods ranging from housewares to clothing (including lots of items by Thai…

  • Black Elephant Studio

    Bagan

    For some of the best lacquerware in Bagan, pop by the Black Elephant Studio where you can feast your eyes – and empty your wallet – on some exquisite, but…

  • dia.lo.gue artspace

    South Jakarta

    Contemporary art exhibitions, stylish designer goods, books, old travel posters and good coffee all come together in this chic space. Bare concrete and…

  • Bon Ton

    George Town

    Head here for fabrics – both new and antique – as well as boxes, stationery, coffee-table books, art pieces, bags and other classy Asian bric-a-brac.

  • Silahis Arts & Artifacts

    Manila

    This is almost more of a cultural centre than a shop. Intricately woven baskets, wooden Ifugao bulol statues for guarding rice, plus textiles and other…