Cebu City
Anthill is an oasis of colourful and creative fashion hidden in a gritty warehouse not far from the Ayala Center. A social enterprise, it secures fabrics…
Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia
Melaka City
This little boutique is packed floor-to-ceiling with authentic Kashmiri crafts, jewellery, rugs and clothing. Peruse embroidered cotton tunics, enamelled…
Siem Reap
A social enterprise selling wonderful silver and other jewellery, some made from bomb casings and brass bullets. It also has a wide variety of additional…
Lampang
Lampang is known for its addictive kôw đǎan (deep-fried rice cakes seasoned with watermelon juice and drizzled with palm sugar). You can pick up a few…
Singapore
Even if you don't have a Black Amex, strike a pose inside this Maserati of Orchard Rd malls. Status labels include Burberry, Prada, Jimmy Choo and Gucci…
West Bali
About 10km south of Tabanan is Pejaten, a centre for the production of traditional pottery, including elaborate ornamental roof tiles and porcelain clay…
Bagan
English-speaking Maung Aung Myin has two rooms and a busy workshop on the road 200yd north of Manuha Paya. There's a full range of lacquerware, including…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Mega is the only way to describe this enormous mall, where you could easily lose yourself for days in the hundreds of shops, two department stores …
Thanon Sukhumvit
This monthly event is great for browsing through products of more than 60 community groups. For 20 years, ThaiCraft has marketed quality handicrafts by…
Siem Reap
Samatoa experiments in organic fibres, blending silk and cotton with lotus to create 'the most spiritual fabric in the world'. Plants such as lotus and…
Yangon
Opened in 2017, this is the biggest and best of downtown Yangon's new crop of modern shopping malls. It offers everything from small stalls selling…
Ko Pha-Ngan
At the southern end of Thong Sala's Walking Street near the bend towards the sea, this small clothing shop has a cool and colourful selection of some of…
Luang Prabang
Follow the sweeping stairs in the garden of this impressive old French mansion to discover an Aladdin's cave of antique Buddhas, golden naga, silver betel…
Manila
This upscale open-air strip mall spans three long blocks in The Fort (BGC), with loads of good restaurants and upmarket fashion labels, plus art…
Kuala Lumpur
With its design crossing Louis Vuitton with Louis XIV, and a basement restaurant 'village' sporting dark cobbled alleys, grey slate walls and bamboo…
Shwe War Thein Handicrafts Shop
Bagan
Just east of Tharabar Gate (and well signed off the Bagan–Nyaung U Rd) is this popular treasure trove of Myanmar trinkets. The collection includes antique…
Ko Tao
This small French and Thai-run cafe with great coffee on the road to Chalok Ban Kao doubles as a hammock shop, selling a fantastic selection of brightly…
Hanoi
Bookworm stocks over 20,000 new and used English-language books over two floors. There’s plenty of fiction and it’s good on South Asian history and…
Sapa
This Hmong-owned, family-run handicrafts shop offers a wonderful selection of interesting local crafts, including bags, clothing, cushion covers,…
Jakarta
This particularly good grocery store sells all manner of southeast Asian fruits from dragonfruit and mangosteen to durian, guava and rambutan. It also…
Northern Bangkok
A modern shopping centre located adjacent to Chatuchak Weekend Market, where you can find some fine souvenirs, handcrafted items and micro-furniture. Note…
Ko Pha-Ngan
The Swedish owner of this cute little boutique imports all her wares from India making this one of the few shops worth stopping in along the main drag in…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Squeeze into Roxy's skinny aisles and scan the shelves of top-notch new vinyl as well as CDs. Jazz and blues make up the bulk of the offerings, with both…
Thanon Sukhumvit
The headquarters of this retro/world label is a chance to finally combine the university-era pastimes of record-browsing and drinking. Come to snicker at…
Yangon
Working primarily with women from the Sumtu sub-group of the Chin people of northern Myanmar, this social enterprise sells gorgeous, high-quality textiles…
West Timor
If you’re interested in antiques and handicrafts, don't miss this shop that could double as a museum. You’ll find Timor’s best selection of masks,…
Ko Samui
This mall offers a relaxing open-plan array of shops, boutiques, restaurants and services just a few steps from the beach. Goods for sale include coconut…
Phnom Penh
Love it or hate it, it's impossible to avoid staring at this (supposedly dragon-shaped) complex with Phnom Penh's highest skyscraper (for now) at 187m. Up…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
The Singaporean design-focused concept store has set up in KL stocking quirky gifts and souvenirs including retro Malay poster jigsaws, colourful card…
Banglamphu
Follow your nose: Nittaya is famous throughout Thailand for her pungent, high-quality curry pastes. Pick up a couple of takeaway canisters for prospective…
Chinatown & the CBD
Rack upon rack of wooden boxes filled with music gold awaits those who like to flick at this vinyl-lovers paradise. Tucked at the end of a block near the…
Ko Samui
Lamai's night market kicks off around 5pm everyday and is a good place to pick up a bargain or souvenir. There's junk jewellery, carved wood items, art,…
Baguio
Baguio’s city market is a 3-sq-km maze of ‘useful things’, where vendors sell everything from fruit to live poultry to low-quality crafts and souvenirs…
Kota Bharu
One of the most colourful and active markets in Malaysia, this market is at its busiest first thing in the morning. Downstairs is the fresh produce…
Singapore
Since opening its doors more than 85 years ago, Tangs has become a Singaporean institution. This five-floor department store is popular with all…
Kupang
It's worth seeking out this neighbourhood ikat shop. Textile lovers will be pleased with the wares sourced from across Nusa Tenggara, and you can take…
South Jakarta
This little store opposite Jakarta Coffee House was launched by esteemed Indonesian fashion photographer Nicoline Patricia Malina. Älska sells locally…
Chiang Mai
This intriguing shop sells reams of handmade mulberry paper (săh), in a remarkable range of colours and patterns, including gorgeous marbled sheets that…
Ko Samui
When the island's travelling night market comes to Mae Nam on Thursday evenings, the u-shaped road in Chinatown becomes a vibrant, busy, pedestrian only…
Bagan
Near the roundabout at the eastern end of the main road, this market offers a colourful display of fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish and textiles. It's…
