Shopping in Darjeeling

Darjeeling abounds in shopping delights. Souvenirs in Darjeeling reflect the town's culture, which is an amalgam of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. The town is especially a treasure trove for local crafts and artefacts, and most tourists find that they have plenty of choices while shopping for their loves ones back at home.

If you want to truly experience the authentic local flavour, head out for the markets in Darjeeling.

Our Darjeeling Shopping Guide below will tell you how to get the best deals and the best places to shop in Darjeeling. And after working up a hunger shopping, make sure you stop for some tasty food and relax in one of the great Darjeeling restaurants. For more general Indian shopping information, check out our India shopping guide.

Darjeeling Shopping Guide

What to Buy

Darjeeling is especially famous for its local souvenirs, curios, trinkets, religious artefacts and tea. Whatever is on your shopping list, Darjeeling offers ample options both in terms of variety and pricing. With some skilful bargaining and good research, you can find the perfect Darjeeling souvenir that fits your budget.

Carpets

Carpets from Tibet make unique and beautiful gifts. The cheapest place to buy them is at Hayden Hall on Laden La Road. Darjeeling's carpets are famed for their excellent quality, beauty and indigenous touch.

Wool

Since the climate is almost always cold, both tourists and inhabitants find that they have to invest in woollen clothes. Perhaps due to its ubiquitous demand, the wool industry is rather well-established and the designs are pretty, exotic and unique.

You'll be impressed by the town's offering of trendy cardigans and pullovers, beautiful pashmina shawls and patterned sweaters. The best place to buy them cheap is just off Hill Cart Road, next to the taxi and bus stands.

Tea

Tea is perhaps the most popular produce of Darjeeling. Pricing varies depending on the quality and flavour. Depending on the season in which they are plucked, Darjeeling tea is usually classified as Easter Flush, Summer Flush, Autumn Flush and Spring Flush.

Test a sample of the tea you intend to buy by taking a fistful of tea and breathing over it through your fingers before opening your fist to note the aroma released. You can even consider asking the locals for help, since this is not a skill that you're likely to pick up on your first visit! A good tip to remember is to avoid the tea that comes in fancy boxes since these are prepared outside Darjeeling.

Handloom

Darjeeling's handloom products are popular in the national and international market. Most tourists visit the Manjusha Emporium run by the state of West Bengal and the Gram Shilpa which is managed by the Government of India.

Jewelry

The shops and roadside stalls in Darjeeling also have on display an arresting array of semi-precious stones, antique silver jewelry, stone studded jewelry and beads.

Curios

Some of the other popular curios include religious artefacts, Buddhist icons, Himalayan brass statues, thangkas and quaint Bamboo umbrellas. The best bronze statues are often not displayed, so you'll have to ask to see it. These are relatively more expensive.

When buying jewellery and thangkas, spend your money judiciously; many items which seem impressive could turn out to be unashamedly fake!

Where to Buy

The main shopping centres at Darjeeling are situated on Ladenla Road, Chowrasta, Chowk Bazaar, Nehru Road, Motor Stand, and Mahakal Market. Hayden Hall, Supermarket, and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre are also famous.

The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre manufactures and sells Tibetan artefacts, handicrafts and carpets; you can also see how these handicrafts are made. Hayden Hall is a woman's co-operative society which sells carpets at reasonable rates.