Bukit Lawang
Along Bukit Lawang's main tourist strip is this gallery featuring original abstract and traditional paintings by local artists. Pieces cost anywhere from…
Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia
Yangon
One of the more interesting of Yangon's commercial galleries, Nawaday Tharlar also organises regular events that might include poetry readings, live music…
Vientiane
This shop carries what is possibly the most upscale selection of Lao silk in town (the most expensive designs, some of which sell for several thousand US…
Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon’s most famous silk specialist makes some exquisite fabrics, often with original patterns not found elsewhere. For two days before the Candle Parade,…
Singapore
This unisex, multi-brand concept store is the brainchild of designers Kenny Lim and Andrew Loh's Singaporean street Goth label, Depression. The palette is…
Kuala Lumpur
The city's largest department store is a bustling affair, particularly on the weekends. It's packed with concessions for local and international brand…
Luang Prabang
One of the first jewellery shops to open in Luang Prabang, Naga Creations takes its inspiration from tribal motifs around Laos combined with an…
Siem Reap
This urban art gallery exhibits new collections from up-and-coming Cambodian artists and other collectables from here and there. It also has an on-site…
Lampang Province
Located about 5km southeast of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, this covered market is a crash course in Northern Thai food and handicrafts, with…
Phnom Penh
A cooler, al fresco version of the Russian Market, this night market takes place every evening if it's not raining. Bargain vigorously, as prices can be…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This vast store has a fantastic selection of sporting and outdoor adventure gear. You'll find camping and hiking accessories; gym clothing; personal…
Bagan
This family-run local business was one of the first to establish itself in New Bagan and is run by U Kan Tun and her daughter Moe Moe. The large showroom…
Manila
Tessoro's is a souvenir shop with an emphasis on textiles and fashion. The speciality is pinya (fabric woven from pineapple fibres) products – especially…
South Jakarta
Like an upmarket souk, the kind you'd find in the Persian Gulf, this mall has a handful of local designers and smaller boutique-style shops. They're…
Yangon
Founded in 2016 by two Japanese women, Moringa specialises in bags and cushions made from traditional Myanmar textiles. The styling of the bags, which…
Kuala Lumpur
There are plenty of interesting businesses in this fine shopping complex at the foot of the Petronas Towers, which hosts plenty of international brands…
Ko Lanta
A bohemian wonderland of quirky homemade goods, from silk-screened and hand-painted T-shirts and silk scarves to journals, toys, baby clothes, paintings,…
Phnom Penh
One of the best all-round handicraft stores, Rajana aims to promote fair wages and training. It has a beautiful selection of cards, some quirky metalware…
Chiang Mai
Just north of the Arcade Bus Terminal on Rte 11, Chiang Mai's flashiest shopping centre is anchored around a Central department store, with tons of…
Chiang Rai
Come Sunday evening, the stretch of Th Sankhongnoi from Soi 2 heading west is closed to traffic and in its place are vendors selling clothes, handicrafts…
Pyin Oo Lwin
Sample Pyin Oo Lwin’s famous (if seasonal) strawberries and other fruit – fresh, dried or as jams and wine. It also has cheap Western clothes and longyi …
Northwestern Cambodia
It is possible to see silk being woven and to purchase top-quality silk products destined for the French market at Soieries du Mékong, 150m south of where…
Manila
One of the top 10 largest malls in the world, with the usual retail shops and a zillion restaurants, plus an Olympic-sized ice rink and an IMAX theatre…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Pronounced 'chip lee', KL's premier stationery store is a creative person's delight stocking all manner of pens, papers, paints and other arty merchandise…
Angkor Wat
This is a small branch of the impressive Artisans Angkor initiative, which aims to revitalise the handicraft industry around Siem Reap and Angkor. Prices…
Chiang Mai
This long-established company sells fine cracked-glazed celadon ceramics in a lovely fretwork-covered teak building from the time of the British teak…
Yangon
French designer Patrick Robert, who restored the Governor's Residence in the 1990s, has opened this homewares boutique offering many attractive gifts and…
Merdeka Square & Central Jakarta
The mall to the masses, this huge complex has myriad shops and vendors selling just about every day-to-day item imaginable. Cheap shoes, batik clothes,…
Sagada
On the main road to Besao, Sagada Pottery creates labour-intensive earthenware pottery that takes 30 hours to fire. Potters will show off their skills for…
Kuala Lumpur
A little confusing to navigate but jam-packed with youth-oriented fashion and accessories, this is one of KL's more interesting malls with a focus on…
South Jakarta
This big midrange mall has high-street brands like Marks & Spencer, Top Shop, Zara and H&M. There's a range of beauty services on the lower level and…
South Jakarta
Renowned for its cheap prices on a huge range of budget goods from phone covers and flip-flops (thongs) to T-shirts. Wander the endless corridors and…
Yogyakarta
Within the labyrinthine alleyways of Taman Sari's palace walls, this cool clothing store was set up by a local designer, whose T-shirts blend Yogya youth…
George Town
The subtle, minimalist, design-focused homewares here, some of which are made locally, include earthy ceramics, handsome stationery, wooden toys and fancy…
Northern Laos
Run by a friendly husband-and-wife team, this simple unnamed shop offers the best souvenirs in town. Khao makes beautiful temple-inspired stencil art,…
Chiang Mai
Baskets and ornate needlework from the provinces are the offerings at this missionary-backed, fair-trade shop near the McCormick Hospital. It also runs a…
Bangkok
Significantly more understated than many other city malls in Bangkok, this is a good place to shop for authentic curios, antiques and rare collectibles…
Melaka City
This lovely shop displays a delightful galaxy of perforated pottery tea-light holders, bowls and ornaments, made here by clay craftsman Leong Chee Hsiung…
Chiang Rai
If you’re in town on a Saturday evening, don't miss the open-air Walking Street, an expansive street market focusing on all things Chiang Rai, from…
Chinatown & the CBD
Nana & Bird's light-filled store is a sound spot for fresh independent fashion and accessories for women, with labels including Singapore designers Aijek…
