Shopping in Nepal

Shopping in Nepal

Shopping in Nepal is fun. You can find handmade things that show Nepal’s culture. Buy colorful crafts, Pashmina shawls, jewelry, pottery, wood carvings, and art. These make wonderful gifts or souvenirs from your trip.

Where to Shop

• Thamel & Boudha (Kathmandu): Good for small gifts, incense, and clothes.
• Patan: The best place for expensive metal statues and fine jewelry.
• Bhaktapur: The best place for clay pottery and wood carvings.

Popular Things to Buy

• Pashmina: Very soft and warm shawls made from goat wool. In 2026, check for a special Chyangra Pashmina sticker or QR code to make sure it is real.
• Knitwear: Warm wool hats, sweaters, and jackets.
• Carpets: Strong, handmade rugs with traditional patterns.
• Thangka Paintings: Bright religious pictures painted on silk or cotton.
• Metal Art: bronze or copper pieces of art and wooden carved objects.
• Jewelry: The gold and silver ornaments are decorated with stones such as rubies and sapphires.
• Khukuri: This is the popular curved knife that Gurkha uses.

Important Tips for Shopping in Nepal

• Bargaining: In street markets, it is normal to ask for a lower price. Try to pay 20% to 30% less than the first price. In “Fair Trade” shops, the price is usually fixed.
• Paying: Use cash (Nepalese Rupees) for small shops. Bigger shops take credit cards but may charge a 3% to 4% extra fee.
• Antique Rules: You cannot take items older than 100 years out of Nepal. If a new item looks old, you need a certificate from the Department of Archaeology to show it at the airport.
• Knives (Khukuri): You must put these in your checked luggage at the airport. You cannot carry them on the plane.