Chinatown & the CBD
Climb the stairs to this tiny, welcoming gallery for works by emerging contemporary Singaporean and Asian artists. While painting is the gallery's focus,…
Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia
Little India & Kampong Glam
Little India's bustling Mustafa Centre is a magnet for bargain hunting shoppers. It's a sprawling maze-like place, selling everything from electronics and…
West Timor
A Rotenese musical-instrument workshop run by Pak Pah and his family, featuring traditional 32-stringed harps called sasandu, crafted from young palm leaf…
Ko Samui
Named after the famous Brit who rejuvenated the Thai silk industry, this is a great shop to pick up a special gift. Prices are designer level, but then so…
Ko Samui
With a selection several notches above most of the tat for sale along Chaweng Beach Rd, this store sells elegant jewellery, fashioned from gold, silver…
Yangon
Anchoring a business tower and hotel complex opened in 2016, this five-floor shopping mall is the place to go if you're in search of bland international…
Luang Prabang
Photographer and film-maker Adri Berger's compositions of rural Laos capture that honeyed afternoon light like no one else. His ochre-walled gallery-cum…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
From Miu Miu pumps and Prada frocks to Boggi Milano blazers, this sprawling temple of aspiration gives credit cards a thorough workout. Despite being one…
Myanmar (Burma)
Parasols are made in workshops scattered across the northern part of Pathein. This family-run workshop is particularly welcoming and they'll show you how…
Bangkok
As soon as you step through the doors of this museum-like shop, the earthy smell of dried grass and stained wood rushes to meet you. Rattan, yahn lí·pow …
Northern Bangkok
For a fun and light-hearted evening featuring copious amounts of food, booze and cheap shopping, consider a visit to Talat Rot Fai, one of Bangkok's most…
Mae Sot
This long-running shop sells arts and crafts made by refugee and ethnic-minority women; the profits go back into a women’s collective and a child…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
Singapore's fashion elite, with the very deepest of pockets, peruse the racks of this outpost of famous London fashion retailer. The ginormous warehouse…
Yangon
In operation from 1957 until 2008, when Cyclone Nargis destroyed its production facilities, this former factory still has an enormous stock of glass in…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
Singapore-based Japanese designer Emiko Nakamura keeps Dempsey's society women looking whimsically chic in her light, sculptural creations. Emiko also…
Kuala Lumpur
Branch of the Malaysian fashion house, selling well-made clothes with an ethnic flavour in soft cottons, linens and silks.
Nusa Tenggara
Ten metres off the road beneath some banana trees you'll find Mama Sariat Libana, mother of Alornese ikat, holding court or playing cards. Originally from…
Siem Reap
The leading Siem Reap gallery for showcasing a mix of international artists and local artists. The flagship collection is by Christian Develter, famous…
Chinatown & the CBD
Get your qi back in order at Singapore's most famous and user-friendly Chinese medicine store. Pick up some Monkey Bezoar powder to relieve excess phlegm,…
Singapore
Singaporean womenswear label Beyond the Vines offers functional and luxurious basics in soothing, pastel hues. Browse the modern brass racks that surround…
Kampot
Sharing a contemporary factory space on the outskirts of town with Cafe Espresso, Dorsu sells a range of high-quality wardrobe staples, all designed and…
Ko Samui
This bright, shiny mall is full of international brand shops, cafes and restaurants. There's a really good dining area that offers street-food-style…
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
Along with The Mall, this is one of the Isan region's two largest and glossiest shopping malls. Each floor follows a theme such as Paris and Tokyo…
Chin State
Sacrificing atmosphere for organisation, Mindat's new, institutional-looking and orderly indoor market is just off the main road. Small stalls sell…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The lifelong dream of a shoe fanatic is realised in this bright 2nd-floor shop selling a range of home-grown and imported shoes as well as a great…
Phuket Town
In a chicly restored old building with arches over the front door, this self-styled ‘tropical concept store’ is all about floaty fabrics, bold colours and…
South Jakarta
The smaller, sleepier outpost of Plaza Senayan has a relaxed vibe and a small collection of stores. A branch of Din Tai Fung can be found here, as can…
Songkhla Province
The name refers to the fact that the market is held in the old town, and like most night markets across Thailand, the bustling weekend-only event is awash…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The top two floors of this old shophouse have been imaginatively turned into a contemporary gallery to showcase local artists. Note the artwork covering…
Luang Prabang
Located in a 100-year-old wooden home on a narrow lane running from the main street, this great little shop sells handicrafts like naturally dyed cushions…
Little India & Kampong Glam
A vintage-inspired ode to American working-class culture, this little menswear store offers a clued-in selection of rugged threads and accessories,…
Hoi An
Winners of a sustainable-development award, this eco-minded store stocks gorgeous clothing (including kids' wear), accessories, and homewares such as…
Holland Village, Dempsey Hill & the Botanic Gardens
Specialising in antique religious artefacts from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India and Burma, as well as reproductions, Shang Antique has items dating back…
Eastern Myanmar
This fifth-generation, family-run shop specialises in lacquerware, from the ubiquitous, multicoloured Bagan style to the striking, black Kyaingtong style…
South Jakarta
Created by Italian-born designer Susanna Perini, who has worked in Indonesia for 20 years, the Biasa brand was inspired by Indonesian culture. Perini's…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Can't find that retro Chinese toy car? What about Pan Am wrapping paper? Chances are you'll find them at this quirky shop, inside the bookworm heaven that…
Phnom Penh
Shop for a one-of-a-kind outfit from hometown fashion label Good Krama and four other Cambodian brands at this stylish boutique. Everything sold here is…
Sarawak
This great little store is so packed full of Kayan and Iban beads, Penan rattan baskets and Melinau and Kayan handicrafts that it's difficult to move…
Manila
This well-regarded Thai import peddles all-natural oils, sunscreen, after-sun gel and an effective lavender-and-citronella mozzie repellent, among many…
Ko Pha-Ngan
When Thong Sala's Walking Street market comes around every Saturday from 4pm, the terrific choice of street food, souvenirs, gifts, handicrafts and…
