Sumba
This small weaving centre is 2.5km off the main road, sticking to the left fork. Run by Kornelis Ndapakamang, it's hung with some of Sumba's most prized…
Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur
Located 8km northeast of the city centre, the world's largest pewter manufacturer offers some very appealing souvenirs made from this malleable alloy of…
Chiang Mai Province
About 2km east of Hang Dong, Ban Tawai is a sprawling, pedestrian-friendly tourist market, with hundreds of small shops selling handicrafts and knick…
Chiang Mai
Featuring upmarket Chiang Mai clothing, cafes and art, eclectic Nimman also houses an open-air food hall, regular pop-up markets, and even free salsa and…
Sumba
A series of rooms and houses championing ikat and jewellery, where guests can see everything from motif design to colouring and weaving. The collection…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This 1930s art deco building (a former wet market) was rescued from demolition in the 1980s and transformed into a tourist-oriented arts-and-crafts centre…
Yangon
This loft-like gallery has a variety of Myanmar contemporary and antique art, the latter including some unique antique prints, advertisements and photos…
Singapore
One of Singapore's most lauded home-grown fashion labels has experienced a spectacular rise, just three years since the design house opened its flagship…
Malaysia
The main reason to visit this mall is its 2790-sq-metre Secret Garden, one of the largest roof gardens in the world, with more than 500 varieties of…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
The gallery-esqe shop of Priscilla Shunmugam, one of Singapore's top up-and-coming designers, is just as stunning as her modern interpretations on Asian…
Battambang
Jewel in the Lotus features an upstairs gallery, with paintings, prints, vintage items, unique postcards, souvenirs, underground comix, literature,…
West Timor
Maubesi is home to the Kefa regency’s best textile market. Market day is Thursday, when ikat is displayed beneath tamarind trees, along with produce,…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Lisette Scheers is the creative force behind the Nala brand of homewares, stationery, accessories and clothes. All her products embody a contemporary but…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Traditional Peranakan beadwork is a dying art, but it's kept very much alive in this shop and workshop. The shop's colourful slippers are designed by…
Kuala Lumpur
This shrine to the pre-digital world combines a film and print shop with the genial proprietor Koon Yik Chin's collection of antique cameras and…
Phuket
Phuket’s top homegrown all-natural health and beauty producer, Lemongrass has shelves stacked high with moisturisers, body scrubs, essential oils, chunky…
Yangon
Among the handful of reasons for visiting Dalah is this social enterprise where the handicrafts workshop has been partly constructed from old glass,…
South Jakarta
In a city splashed with flashy malls, this unusual, tall mall stands out – it's understated with a modest-sized collection of shops. There's a Periplus…
Siem Reap
Relocated to Sivatha St, this shop has an eclectic collection of silk and carvings, as well as a superb range of traditional beauty products and spices,…
Yangon
Most of the merchandise at downtown Yangon's largest market is ordinary housewares and textiles, but it's also renowned for its large selection of…
Malaysia
Distinguished by its monumental Ancient Egypt–style decor, including a crowning pyramid, this vast mall buzzes with high-end brands, restaurants and a…
Davao
If you’re looking for handicrafts, shop around this rabbit warren of stalls with textiles, batik, weavings, carvings and jewellery. You can also pick up a…
Bangkok
Several upscale art and antique shops occupy the 3rd and 4th floors of this riverside mall. The vast majority of pieces appear to come from Myanmar and –…
West & Southwest Singapore
This vintage veteran is not in the most convenient location, tucked away on an HDB (housing and development board) estate, but the well-curated collection…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Narrow, pastel-hued Haji Lane harbours a handful of quirky boutiques and plenty of colourful street art. Shops turn over fast due to exorbitant rents,…
Kuala Lumpur
This compact, upscale mall houses Malaysian fashion and accessories store Pedlars and local shoemaker Thomas Chan who crafts orthopaedic sandals and shoes.
Kuala Lumpur
This well-regarded chain of handcrafted pewter claims origins in 1885 when a Chinese pewtersmith arrived during KL's tin-mining boom. You can still find…
Kuching
The group of women at Tanoti are the only people to practise a distinct Sarawakian form of songket weaving, a way of creating embroidered fabrics…
South Jakarta
This huge midrange to high-end mall is anchored by the Parisian department store Galleries Lafayette. The complex includes luxury hotels and condos,…
Malaysia
Home to the performing-arts centre PJ Live Arts (www.pjlivearts.my), which hosts regular music, comedy and family-friendly shows, Jaya One is chock-full…
Melaka City
The three Yeo brothers continue the shoemaking tradition begun by their grandfather. Their beaded Peranakan shoes are considered Melaka's finest and begin…
Kuala Lumpur
In the southeast of the city, stretching for around 2km along Jln Cerdas, is the longest pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia. You'll find over 500…
Luang Prabang
This stylish Aussie-run boutique has a choice selection of hand-woven linen, silk and cotton dresses, chemises, skirts, and beach shawls made by Chris…
South Jakarta
Opposite the Blok M mall, this department store has two huge floors that seem to go on forever. The slogan here is 'The pride of Indonesia', and you'll…
Singapore
This retro mall specialises in Asian art and is the place to come to for quality rugs, carvings, ornaments, jewellery, paintings, furniture and the like…
Northwestern Cambodia
Originally established by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, Weaves of Cambodia, known locally as Chum Ka Mo, is a silk-weaving centre that…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
BSC has carved a niche with KL’s gourmets thanks to its fabulous food hall, Jason's, and its good collection of restaurants, cafes and bars. There are…
Pulau Pangkor
As much a curiosity as a shopping opportunity, SPK village's fish factory is emblazoned with a giant octopus and has a picturesque outlook from its small…
Yangon
This accessories and souvenirs brand is known for its sepia portraits and images of old Burma jazzed up with pop-art colours. It offers high-quality bags,…
Ko Samui
The island's travelling market takes up the outdoor space behind Central Festival mall when it comes to Chaweng. The popular street market is full of…
