Shopping in Sikkim

Places to visit

The Old Market and New Market are favoured haunts for picking up handicrafts; ditto for M.G. Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road), a street name found in virtually every large Indian city.

Visit Lal Bazaar, the open space in front of the 50-year-old Lal Market, on a Sunday to experience the ambience of a haat. A melange of villagers, dhoti-clad businessmen from the eastern state of Bihar and young Sikkimese sporting trendy western fashions chat, trade and bargain in a babble of languages - Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali and Hindi - apparently oblivious to the blare of popular Western and Hindi music.

Things to buy

Crafts

Tibetan crafts rule the souvenir markets. Thangkas are hand painted religious scrolls featuring Buddhas and other deities. Choktsees are small, collapsible stools with typically detailed Tibetan designs Sikkimese canvas or fabric paintings are inexpensive souvenirs (easy to pack too!) featuring themes like the typically rugged, facial profiles of tribal members, religious events, dragons and symbols of luck.

Rugs and Carpets

If you're out shopping in Sikkim and inclined to splurge a bit, consider picking up a Tibetan rug, carpet or blanket made of sheep's wool. Their intricate patterns, brought to life with vegetable dyes, will make for a great conversation piece back home.

Jewellery

Sikkim's unique "dragon sets" are quite irresistible. These consist of a variety of ornaments like necklaces, earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets featuring dragons in finely worked silver or gold, embellished with precious stones. Many shops in Sikkim will execute made-to-order designs.

Tea and Spices

Sikkim tea is much sought after for its distinctive flavour. It's a good idea to pick up some, since international prices are far higher than local rates. Black cardamom, a spice that's grown locally, is another good buy.