When you think about Darjeeling what is the first thing that comes to mind? The crisp cold wind? The unmatched lush greenery? Impeccable serenity? What about the delicious locally prepared cuisines accompanied with a warm, welcoming, and loving culture? This Himalayan hill town is all that and more!
Shopping in Darjeeling is every shopaholic’s dream come true. Home to vibrant and colorful handicrafts and traditionally made items, shopping here is surely an experience in itself. The colors, feel and vibe of shopping in Darjeeling is so amazing that you may actually end up taking back bags of shopping stuff. If you are traveling to Darjeeling anytime soon, then be sure to shop for these things, even if you are a shopaholic or not.
So what is Popular in Darjeeling and what should you Look Forward To?
Hand Knitted Items from New Mahakal Market
Knitted clothing is the headlining feature of any hill town. Similar is the case with Darjeeling. Darjeeling displays some incredible collections of hand-knitted items ranging from sweaters and cardigans to mufflers, gloves, socks, and more. If you reach Darjeeling and find that it is unseasonably cold or colder than you expected then you can shop for knitted items from the New Mahakal Market and get great deals on warm clothing. You will find interesting, creative, and one-of-a-kind patterns and designs that are hand-knitted while also offering a range of classic styles as well. Your best pick would be a shawl either for yourself or for anyone back home. Winter coats are also easily available in this market so you can go ahead and buy them as well. Don’t forget to bargain to your heart’s will.
Cheap Electronics at Chowk Bazaar
For many people shopping for electronics while on a holiday is not ideal. However, looking at the range of cheap electronics available at chowk bazaar will not only boggle your mind but will also be a revealing experience. You can literally buy anything from groceries to a range of electronic items that are super easy on the pocket and cheap. You can buy power banks, home appliances, chargers, phones, or anything electronic from this marketplace. Although this may be one of the more non-traditional marketplaces, it could be a saving grace if you are looking for good deals on electronics if you are thinking of taking them back home.
Carpets from Tibetan Self Help Center
This center is also a rehab center for Tibetan refugees who display their skills through their handicrafts and craftsmanship thus giving them an opportunity to earn some money. Tibetan carpets are known for their unique colors, sequins, patterns, and designs. The vibrant combination of colors looks extremely pretty, welcoming, and warm to anyone seeing it. If you are into decorating your house with interesting souvenirs and traditional items to decorate your home with or take it back home for someone you love, then these carpets are something you just need to buy! The Tibetan Self-help center in Darjeeling is the best place for you to look for locally made and traditional carpets. Other than carpets, here you can also find warm jackets, shawls, mufflers, and other gift items.
Souvenirs and Handicrafts from Chowrasta
You may have heard about the mall road in hill stations. These roads are peppered on both sides with shops dedicated to locally made gifts, handicrafts, and eating joints. In a similar manner, Chowrasta is the mall road of Darjeeling. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Darjeeling and even if you are not a shopaholic then also you can check this place out. For exploring different ranges of gifts and items. You can choose anything from fashion garments and decor items to books, photo equipment, and Darjeeling Tea. You can easily spend a whole day here indulging in shopping and having the time of your life!
Darjeeling Tea from Tea Shops
Other than the scenic beauty, Darjeeling tea is extremely popular all over the world. Acres of hill land is covered in sprawling lush green tea gardens. It is not possible to visit Darjeeling and try out the world-famous types of Darjeeling tea. There are numerous tea garden tours that take place in Darjeeling and checking them out will definitely be an experience in itself. While most grocery stores, tea shops, and small boutiques have a variety of tea blends available you can even get yourself freshly plucked tea leaves on the tea garden itself. Some places to get the best blends of tea leaves are at Nathmulls Tea and sunset lounge, house of tea, and afternoon tea at Windermere. Small tea boutiques also offer you the service of tea tasting as well.
Woollen Clothes from Dragon Market
When it comes to woollen clothing, you can never get enough of it in Darjeeling or any other hill station. Woollen clothing is something that nobody can do without it during the summer or winter season. When it comes to getting hats, jackets, shawls, and other such woollen items, Dragon Market is the place for you. Other than clothing items it also holds a range of trinkets like neckpieces, rings, earrings and anklets along with other such accessories. It is the perfect place to shop for a lot of stuff for people of all ages and the best spot for getting souvenirs for your friends and family back home. It is also one of the most popular places for the locals of Darjeeling to buy woollen clothing as well so you can expect good deals and value for money items.
Books at Oxford Book Store
Book shopping is bliss for many. A good book at the right place could make you feel like you are living the dream! If you love reading or are looking to browse through a selection of books for yourself or your loved ones then this book store is just the thing for you. Not only has this quaint and pretty little bookshop been a landmark of Darjeeling for over 60 years but it should also be definitely visited. You can easily slip into a memorable daze here and get lost in the collection of books here. They especially have numerous books about Tibet, Darjeeling, Bhutan, Sikkim, and the Himalayas.
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