Nepal, as it is rich in nature and culture,
is also the home to world famous arts and craftsmanship. Nepalese handicrafts
made of stone, metal, silver, gold, wood are very popular and have high demand
in world’s handicraft market. While travelling in Nepal, especially in
popularly touristic city areas, travelers can see beautiful and artistic handicraft
products that can be worth buying as souvenir for your family and friends back
home. If you want something other than handicrafts as a souvenir, there are a
variety of products to shop around Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and other
tourist areas. For branded products like electronics, garments, etc., you
better go to the shopping malls with someone’s advice, but Nepal is not a
shopping destination for branded products.
For souvenir shopping, Thamel, New Road,
Basantapur, Asan, Patan, Bhaktapur and some large hotel premises are the most
popular areas, praised as ‘paradise for souvenir shopping’ by many. There are
hundreds, even thousands, of curio (tourist) shops around these areas. Pokhara
and Chitwan can add more taste in your shopping experience.
Usually you can buy the following as
souvenir:
Handicrafts, Arts and Antiques :
Unique and antique, artistic creations usually with some religious
significance… Prayer wheels, traditional (wooden) masks, puppets, wooden
sculptures, pottery…. Masks and statues of various gods…
Metal works / wooden arts : Exceptional arts
and high quality handicraft products…
Gems
& Jewellery
: Hundreds of years old craftsmanship of the ethnic Newar goldsmiths and
silversmiths…
Thankas
& Paubhas
: Tibetan and Newari cultural and religious paintings with high significance,
taken as offerings to the deities, the scroll paintings on a cotton of silk,
usually used to decorate religious monuments…
Handwoven
Cloths
: Handwoven cotton clothes of traditional and artistic designs…
Paper
Products
: Known as rice paper, handmade from rice husks, traditional Nepalese paper
very strong and thick, used to document something very important or memorable…
Pashmina
& Cashmere
: Very soft and high quality shawls and winter garments made from Himalayan
lambs’ inner fur…
Boutiques
and Fashion :
Very fine products of fashion boutiques
with custom designed clothers of
feminine, flirty or trendy styles…
Singing
Bowls
: A metal bowl and a short / small
wooden stick to produce soothing sound with vibration, can help in meditation
and healing…
Khukuri;
the Gurkha knives :
The world famous knife known for its users, the very brave Gurkha soldiers,
with very unique design
Nepali
Tea :
popularly used Nepali tea known as ‘Chiya’ and the green tea for health
Spices : Unique and rare
spices made from various herbs and their seeds
Stamps and Coins : Nepalse stamps and coins
Folk Musical Instruments : Sarangi, Tungna, Yalambar Baja, Madal, Damphu, Dhimay, Damaru, Jhyali,
Dholak, Tyamko, Dhyangro, Bansuri, Pungi, Shehnai, Sankha, Khijadi, Binayo,
Ghungroo, Panche Baja
Bags and Purses : fashionable hand bags and purses made from felt and other local
resources
Dolls and Puppets : Artistic dolls with some cultural and religious significance
Nepalese Carpet : one of the highest quality carpet in the world
Batik and Oil Paintings : Batik art and miniature oil paintings
Bargaining is normal, so try for a better
deal yourself. And even better, you ask your guide or our staffs for shopping
advice.