Shopping in Darjeeling is one of the favourite recreational activities for the tourists. Curios like thangkas, woven fabrics, brass statues, woodcarvings, jewellery, carpets and the famous Darjeeling tea are the prime items for sale in the Darjeeling district. The tourists find a vast array of handicrafts and curios, ideal gifts to take as souvenirs from Darjeeling.
The typically Himalayan items found in Darjeeling are highly esteemed amongst all. They are usually manufactured in local areas; sometimes they are also imported from countries like Nepal, Bhutan etc. The beautiful town-brass statues, religious objects, jewellery, wooden carvings, woven fabrics and carpets are bought by many tourists and whole sellers who sell these at higher prices in the plains. For Tibetan carpets, the cheapest place in the area is at Hayden Hall, a women`s co-operative, opposite the State Bank of India on Laden La Road Chowrastha and Nehru Road.
Handloom is also one of the best buys in Darjeeling. There is a market off Hill Cart Road beside the bus and taxi stands. Here one shall find excellent and relatively cheap patterned woollen sweaters. If one needs an umbrella these can be bought here quite cheaply. Made out of bamboo, these umbrellas are collectors` items themselves
While shopping in Darjeeling, one item stands to be indispensable for majority of tourists- Darjeeling tea. The tea grown in these regions makes excellent gifts. The prices vary according to the flavour and quality of tea. One might have to follow the traditional way of testing tea, i. e to take a small handful in the closed fist, breathe in firmly on it through the fingers and then open the hand and smell the aromas released. A packet of tea is a popular souvenir. First Flush Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe I is the top quality. The price of this variety tea varies enormously
Shopping in Darjeeling is incomplete without a visit to the curio corners. Most curio shops are on Chowrasta lying along Nehru Road. Things like wood carving, thangkas, brass statues, jewellery, religious objects, woven fabrics and carpets are specifically sold here. It is suggested to go for wise bargaining for every product and one has to shop judiciously and be prepared to spend plenty of time looking. To select exquisite woodcarvings in Darjeeling tend to be excellent value for money. Most of the shops accept international credit cards.
Starting from the world famous Darjeeling tea to the elaborately designed Tibetan handicraft and the most sought after Pashmina shawls, the tourists can shop in this hill town till their last day. Shopping in Darjeeling also involves walking across the shops dotting Nehru Road leading to Chowrasta and discovering a wide array of jewelleries-modern as well as traditional silver in the curio houses. Old Tibetan masks, woollen carpets and the compelling sparkle of precious stones attract almost everyone along the road to these shops with an obvious expression of admiration. Be it in the shopping complexes like Mahakal Market or Dragon Market (along Ladenla Road) or the small wayside stalls, the shopping experience in Darjeeling is equally exciting everywhere.
The main shopping centers in Darjeeling are Chowk Bazar, Supermarket, Ladenla Road, Chowrasta, Nehru Road, and Motor Stand.
After few days of sightseeing and other activities, shopping in Darjeeling is one of the best options to take a break. The best curio shops in Darjeeling that attracts hundreds of tourists every year are Art Emporium at Ladenla Road, Nepal Curio House at Nehru Road, Dorjee at Ladenla Road and Eastern Arts at Chowrasta. Apart from the beautiful sweaters, cardigans, pullovers and the trendiest winter garments, Darjeeling is famous for its local handicrafts also. Shopping in Darjeeling offers innumerable options and choices for the shoppers.
