Must-see shopping in Nepal

  • Baber Mahal Revisited

    Kathmandu

    Originally built in 1919 by the then prime minister for his son, this unique complex of neoclassical Rana palace outbuildings has been redeveloped to…

  • One Tree Stop

    Kathmandu

    It’s worth popping in to peruse this small but interesting collection of quality and unique gifts produced by a hand-picked roster of women’s groups, NGOs…

  • Paper Park

    Kathmandu

    One of the best of several shops in Thamel that sell handmade paper products, from photo albums to paper lamps. The paper comes from the lokta (daphne)…

  • Mahaguthi

    Kathmandu

    Good range of crafts and home furnishings, much of it made by disadvantaged or minority groups, with transparent pricing on pashminas (Rs 2325 for a…

  • Shona’s Alpine Rental

    Kathmandu

    Reliable rentals and gear shop that makes its own sleeping bags and offers advice on the best trekking gear for your trip. Get a season warmer than they…

  • Tibet Book Store

    Kathmandu

    The best collection of Tibet-related titles, once owned by the Tibetan government-in-exile.

  • Janakpur Women’s Development Centre

    The Terai & Mahabharat Range

    At this art studio in the village of Kuwa, about 1km south of Murali Chowk, around 40 Maithili women produce paper paintings, papier-mâché boxes and…

  • Jawalakhel Handicraft Centre

    Patan

    Anyone who appreciates carpets should visit this Tibetan refugee cooperative, where Nepal’s enormous carpet industry was essentially born in 1960. You can…

  • Kumbeshwar Technical School

    Patan

    Near the Kumbeshwar Temple in the backstreets of Patan, this small workshop provides disadvantaged low-caste families (primarily the pode or…

  • Mahaguthi

    Patan

    Mahaguthi was founded by a Nepali disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and its Kupondol showroom is a treasure house of dhaka weavings, handmade paper, ceramics,…

  • Peacock Shop

    Bhaktapur

    This paper emporium is near the Peacock Window, down the side of Pujari Math. Although the paper workshop was badly damaged by the 2015 earthquake it's…

  • Image Ark

    Patan

    This bright and colourful modern gallery in Patan's old town casts a light on Nepali multimedia and pop art, selling both limited-edition prints and…

  • North Face

    Kathmandu

    One of several pukka (not fake) gear shops on Tridevi Marg, offering imported gear at foreign prices. These shops sell everything from Black Diamond…

  • Dhukuti

    Patan

    Dhukuti packs in three floors of home furnishings, textiles, shawls, scarves, bags and rugs from the Nupri region of Manaslu, and even has Christmas…

  • Amrita Craft Collection

    Kathmandu

    This broad collection of mass-produced crafts and clothing is a good place to start your souvenir shopping. Quality isn’t top-notch, but subtract 20% from…

  • Patan Industrial Estate

    Patan

    Despite the unpromising name, this tourist-oriented crafts complex boasts a number of workshop showrooms selling high-quality carpets, woodcarvings and…

  • Tara Oriental

    Kathmandu

    This designer’s studio is the best place for top-end designer pashmina throws, scarves and sweaters, retailing at around US$160. Yes, it’s expensive but…

  • Women's Skills Development Organisation

    Pokhara

    The woven and stitched bags, belts and toys display real skill and care, and make a great souvenir. Sales help generate income for disadvantaged women…

  • Sherpa Adventure

    Pokhara

    Sherpa Adventure is the place to find outdoor gear that is of a better quality than most of the counterfeit stuff that dominates the bazaar. They also…

  • Aroma Garden

    Kathmandu

    As the name suggests, this is Thamel’s sweetest-smelling shop. It’s a good one-stop shop for dhoop (incense), essential oils, Himalayan soaps and almost…

  • Tibetan Mini Market

    Pokhara

    The people's cooperative society of Tashi Palkhel run this arcade in Lakeside East where you can shop for Tibetan crafts, organise a tour of the refugee…

  • Hi-Himal Sports Wear International

    Kathmandu

    This friendly gear shop makes its own down products and offers equipment rental, including down jackets (Rs 60 to Rs 100 per day), sleeping bags (Rs 150…

  • Vajra Books

    Kathmandu

    This knowledgeable local publisher offers an excellent selection of academic books and is a magnet for local writers and researchers. Ask to see the…

  • Dhankuta Sisters

    Patan

    Come here for tablecloths, cushion covers and clothing made from dhaka-style cloth from eastern Nepal. Most items are cotton, but silk, banana and nettle…

  • Helping Hands

    Pokhara

    Over 80% of the woven products on sale here have been made locally by deaf and blind men and women in an initiative to empower local people with…

  • Pilgrims Book House

    Kathmandu

    Kathmandu's best bookstore tragically burned down in 2013. Its reincarnation has risen from the ashes and still has a good selection of titles.

  • Sana Hastakala

    Patan

    A recommended place for paper, batiks, Mithila crafts, felt products and clothing woven from natural fibres. Credit cards accepted.

  • Nepal Mandala Bookshop

    Pokhara

    There is no dearth of bookshops in Lakeside but Nepal Mandala probably has the best selection of books and maps in town.

  • Holyland Hiking Shop

    Kathmandu

    The better trekking gear shops are at the southern end of Thamel, and Holyland is one of the better choices.

  • Sonam Gear

    Kathmandu

    Sonam makes its own brand of quality trekking gear, with this the larger of its two shops in Thamel.

  • Nepal Book Depot

    Kathmandu

    Good prices, a central location and a huge selection of new and secondhand titles.

  • North Face

    Pokhara

    The only outlet selling the real thing at prices similar to home.

  • Happy House

    Chitwan National Park

    With a good selection of souvenirs, this small, family-run business produces its own honey in various delectable flavours and sells batik art and…

  • Women Art & Handicrafts Shop

    Chitwan National Park

    For batik clothing, jewellery, hand-painted T-shirts and elephant-dung paper, which is a lot nicer than it sounds. No sign: located directly beneath Gig…

  • Tsering Art School Shop

    Nepal

    The shop at Shechen Gompa has an on-site workshop that produces painted and embroidered thangkas and incense. The shop also sells Buddhist reference books.

  • Curio Arts

    Kathmandu

    Durbar Marg has several top-end showrooms concentrating on statues, Tibetan furniture and other crafts. Curio Arts is a good place to start.

  • Bhat Bhateni Supermarket

    Kathmandu

    One of the the largest supermarkets in the city, with 13 stores, though the location is slightly inconvenient, south of the Chinese embassy.

  • Big Mart

    Kathmandu

    A useful supermarket in Lazimpat.

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