Beppu
Opened in 1948 and recently renovated, this gallery feels like an intimate museum of Japanese bamboo art. Many of the works were made by well-known…
Must-see shopping in Asia
Gangtok
This boutique tea store stocks a fine selection of beautifully packaged teas, notably Temi (Sikkimese) and various flushes of premium Darjeeling. A calm,…
Osaka
Tower Knives has a fantastic selection of kitchen knives – both carbon steel and stainless steel; some are hand-forged by Osaka artisans. The English…
Puerto Princesa
This colourful pasalubong (gift) shop employs local weavers to make baskets, clothing, place mats and other products using indigenous materials. The…
Kuala Lumpur
Joshua Lim is the knowledgeable director of this commercial art space exhibiting a good range of contemporary works by local artists. Among the talents…
Macau
One of Macau's best independent bookshops, Pin-to (which means 'where' in Cantonese) has a strong curation of titles in art and culture, including some in…
Osaka
Hankyū, which first opened in 1929, pioneered the now ubiquitous concept of the train-station department store. One of Japan's largest department stores, …
Shanghai
Running low on loose-leaf oolong and aged pū'ēr cakes? This three-storey sprawl is hands down the largest collection of tea shops in the city. Taste-test…
Chiang Mai
The colours of the mountains have been woven into the naturally dyed silks and cottons here, part of a project to preserve traditional weaving and…
Gangtok
The city’s best-stocked bookshop, Rachna doubles as an alternative cultural hub with talks, events, screenings and an excellent cafe (Temi tea ₹50, coffee…
Ulaanbaatar
Fair-trade shop selling handmade traditional handicrafts, felt products, clothing (including men's and children's), toys, jewellery and modern Kazakh wall…
Leh
Fill up drinking-water bottles here (₹7 per litre). Dzomsa also offers an environmentally friendly laundry service (₹95 per kg, same day service if given…
Taipei
The oldest tea-selling shop in Taipei, dating to 1883. The current fourth-generation merchants are more than happy to talk tea and let you sample the…
Shanghai
The first China branch of this glamorous Milan boutique incorporates the same model of 'slow shopping'. Over five floors there's a mix of men's and women…
Quy Nhon
Everything at this craft centre is made by people with disabilities and special needs. All the items – silk scarves, bookmarks, hand-painted cards and…
Taipei
Handmade lamps with painted dragons, bold flowers, bamboo and calligraphy, are solid red, and as big as a gym ball or small as a fist. There are also…
Kuala Lumpur
Art, shopping, dining and social life are all in harmony at this innovative mall, 10 minutes' drive north of Bangsar. There's a good handicrafts market on…
Baguio
Though nondescript from the outside, Sabado’s is an Aladdin's cave of genuine indigenous treasures. Poke around in the semi-gloom and you may find Kalinga…
Seoul
Representing scores of artists and craftspeople, several of whom also sell their goods at the Free Market on Saturday, this small gallery and showroom…
Hanoi
A not-for-profit organisation near the Temple of Literature that sells quality tribal handicrafts, textiles and weavings at fair-trade prices. The bags…
Cool ThingzZ & Portuguese Spot
Macau
Portuguese products in Macau are booming these days, and this bright and welcoming shop stocks wines, olive oil, sweets and canned seafood. Or if you're…
Manila
Set over three levels, this is the kind of place that pulls in tourists by the busload. The merchandise is of surprisingly good quality, considering how…
Hoi An
This excellent fair-trade gift shop stocks good-quality silk scarves, clothes, jewellery, hand-painted Vietnamese hats, handmade toys and teddy bears. The…
Hoi An
Shop here for intriguing and colourful homemade homewares and fashion, typically employing natural hemp, indigo dye and beeswax-stencilled batik, and…
Uttarakhand
The swarming, congested (but relatively traffic-free area) streets of Paltan Bazaar, running south from the clock tower, is a popular spot for an evening…
Naha
Naha's busiest downtown mall is always a hive of activity for its many duty-free stores (including Tokyū Hands – great for, well, anything you can think…
Seoul
Sunglasses at night is the Hongdae look and this hip place is where to pick up the edgiest of shades and frames as worn by K-Popsters and TV stars…
Chennai (Madras)
Set up in 1928, the enormous, supercolourful granddaddy of Chennai silk shops sparkles with wedding saris and rainbows of Kanchipuram silks, as well as…
Phnom Penh
An NGO that runs a range of programs to train and assist former prostitutes and victims of sex trafficking. The fashionable clothes, bags and accessories…
Shanghai
This is one of the best places for high-quality traditional Chinese porcelain. Blue-and-white vases, plates, teapots and cups are some of the many choices…
Kerobokan
Double-down on your villa’s romance with handmade candles, air diffusers, aromatherapy oils, bath salts and homewares that evoke the feel of a 19th…
Davao
Head up to the 5th floor, part of an outdoor plaza called the Peak, for this shop selling locally produced products such as organic cacao, coconut oil and…
Manila
This is the high end of the Ayala Centre, with scores of swish cafes and restaurants around a central park area. There are five sections (Greenbelt 1 to…
Chennai (Madras)
Open since 1844, this grand white building is reckoned to be India's oldest bookshop. It has a brilliant English-language selection, including travel and…
Ahmedabad (Amdavad)
The retail outlet of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Hansiba sells colourful woven and embroidered shawls, saris, beautifully embroidered…
Iloilo
A bit of a maze to navigate, but otherwise the shops are well-ordered and a delight to wander.
Solo
Danar Hadi is an important Solonese batik manufacturer and sells an extensive collection through this beautiful showroom. Styles include traditional…
Tokyo
Held in the courtyard of Tokyo International Forum (check the website for exact dates), this is a brilliantly colourful event with hundreds of dealers in…
New Delhi
Handily in a row are these regional treasure-filled emporiums. They may have the air of torpor that often afflicts governmental enterprises, but shopping…
Singapore
Rising directly above Orchard MRT station, futuristic ION is the cream of Orchard Rd malls. Basement floors focus on mere-mortal high-street labels, while…
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