Located near the beautiful Himalayas, Darjeeling is truly the “Queen of Hills.” This lovely hill station is famous for its pleasant weather, stunning scenery, and well-known landmarks. Darjeeling tea is renowned worldwide, and the Toy Train is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. But that’s not all that makes Darjeeling appealing. Many people like to go shopping there.
Want to know what to buy in Darjeeling? The list is very long. Darjeeling is a great place to shop because it has a wide range of goods, from famous drinks to unique wooden crafts, cozy woolen clothes, and more. Many great things to buy in Darjeeling will make your trip truly memorable. Read this blog to know the best places to shop in Darjeeling.
Shopping in Darjeeling: Stores
1. Life & Leaf
This is one of the top shopping destinations in Darjeeling. You can find small craftspeople selling goods made in the area. This shop is well-kept and has some exciting and high-quality items. Most people who come in don’t leave without buying something.
You can buy hand-knit wool clothes made in the area, earthenware mugs and kettles, tea from small farms, and small crafts.
Location: Chauk Bazaar
2. Biswa Bangla Store
If you want to buy cool gifts or fun things to remember on your honeymoon trip to Darjeeling, this store on Nehru Road is a good choice. Biswa Bangla shows off the traditional crafts and handloom textiles of West Bengal, which are very proud of their heritage.
There is a lot of expensive stuff to buy at this chain store in Darjeeling. You can get clothes, jewelry, toys, dolls, furniture, and even food.
Location: Nehru Road Chowrasta
3. Bhutan Tibet Arts
Bhutan has long pushed thirteen different kinds of arts and crafts. These are known as Zorig Chusum. The main ones are painting, sculpture, carving, calligraphy, making paper, casting, embroidery, weaving, carpentry, masonry, weaving with bamboo and cane, gold and silversmithing, and blacksmithing.
Pick out the things you like and take them home with pride because these artists are pros who spend their whole lives making art.
Location: Lower Toong Soong Road, Chauk Bazaar
4. Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre
You may have heard of this center for Tibetan refugees that helps teach Tibetan craftspeople different skills. You might not have known this, but it’s one of the best places to shop in Darjeeling.
You can get carpets, jackets, scarves, and many other things as gifts or presents here for a lot less than you would pay at the market.
Location: West Lebong Cart Road
5. Gorkha Ink Tattoos
Have you ever wanted to get a tattoo to show the world that you came of age? If so, a vacation might be the best time to make your wish come true, and Darjeeling gives you that chance.
You can get an ink tattoo of any fancy, complicated pattern you want at Gorkha Ink on Laden La Road.
Location: Laden La Road
6. Manokamna
If you are from a sunny place without worrying about cold weather, you might want to come here first and buy woolen clothes that will keep you warm.
This store has many different types of woolen clothing, and the prices are fair.
Location: Laden La Road
Shopping in Darjeeling: Markets
1. Dragon Market
On either side of Laden La Road, you can find the Mahakal Market and the Dragon Market complex. This means you can visit both for the price of one. Go to Mahakal if you want to buy knitting scarves, caps, and sweaters made in the area.
You should go to Dragon Market if you want to buy high-fashion items from Darjeeling along with other fashion pieces and small items.
Location: Laden La Road, Limbugaon
2. Bhutia Market
It is also known as the New Mahakal Market, which is a very famous market. It almost seems too good that you can get real woolen items from Darjeeling, like shawls, caps, and jackets (some of which are hand-knit), at very low prices without sacrificing quality.
When you go to the Mahakal temple, take the Mall Road and go until you see the figure of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. Then, turn right to get to this market. This is one of the best places to buy Darjeeling souvenirs.
Location: Bhutia Market
3. Mall Road
There are always a lot of people on Mall Road, also known as Chowrasta Market, looking at the great things for sale in the shops that line both sides of the road. This store is always busy and has many goods, from trendy clothes to books and Darjeeling handicrafts.
Location: Mall Road
4. Chowk Bazaar
The prices of the things in Chowk Bazaar are fair, and the variety makes you want to keep buying things. This is a popular place to shop in Darjeeling.
This market has everything that people in the area need every day, as well as art and crafts made by locals. Don’t forget to have a cup of Darjeeling Tea when you go to the market.
Location: Hill Cart Road, Chowk Bazaar
5. Chitray Bazaar
Tea is more than just something you brew in the morning. If you’ve never been to a tea farm, you should. Check out Chitray Bazaar for an unforgettable experience. You can see huge areas of tea fields and buy fresh packs of the famous Darjeeling tea to take home as a gift or souvenir.
If you had a good pair of glasses, you could see the Himalayas and Kanchenjunga in particular.
Location: E Lebong Road, Upper Bhutia Busty
6. Nepali Beads Jewellery
Archaeologists have found many examples of how people used to be interested in jewelry and decorations. People still consider bead jewelry an essential part of life, especially in places close to modernization and outside impact.
No matter why you want to buy bead jewelry, remember that it is a dying art form practiced by a few people today. You will definitely get something exceptional and one-of-a-kind to take home with you.
Location: At handicraft shops all over
Shopping in Darjeeling: Malls
1. The Rink Mall
The Rink Mall is right in the middle of the city, close to most hotels. It has a lot of stores where you can buy both pleasant and helpful things. Movies have created a world of magic for you to escape to at the Inox Theater.
After finishing everything, you can eat at one of the many food courts in the mall.
Location: Laden La Road, Chauk Bazaar
2. Jai Complex
There are many brand-name and off-brand stores in Darjeeling’s fancy new mall, which is a fun place to visit. Both locals and visitors are eager to buy things there.
The mall is right in the middle of town and has a lot of shops that sell high fashion or haute couture clothes.
Location: HD Lama Road, Chauk Bazaar
The Bottom Line
Darjeeling has an incredible trove of shopping opportunities for everyone, from busy street markets to quiet emporiums. Shop on Nehru Road for gifts and local crafts, at the Mall for various stores, or at the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center for unique goods. If you like Darjeeling tea, you can’t miss Nathmulls or Golden Tips. You can find hand-knit woolen shawls at Bhutia Market, and at Chowk Bazaar, you can find native Ghoorkha knives. So, learn how to deal well and get ready to find something to bring home from Darjeeling.
People also ask About Shopping in Darjeeling
What are some of the best purchases to make while visiting Darjeeling?
Travelers can purchase a variety of gifts and souvenirs in Darjeeling. Among these are:
- Inexpensive electronics.
- Hand-knitted goods.
- Tea of many varieties.
- Enormous Buddhist masks.
- Ghau pendants.
- Tibetan carpets.
- A host of other stuff.
Which Darjeeling markets are some of the most incredible places to shop?
The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, Teesta Market, Ghoom Monastery Market, Batasia Loop Market, and Chowk Bazaar are the places to go if you want to embark on the ultimate shopping spree in Darjeeling.
What has made Darjeeling well-known?
Darjeeling is well-known for its breathtaking natural scenery, which includes views of the Himalayas, lush tea gardens, orchids, and pines. In addition, other marketplaces attract tourists from all around the world.
What should a visitor to Pashupati Market purchase?
There are many items to purchase at Pashupati Market, including perfumes, regional handicrafts, wool clothing, electronics, and more.
For how many days is Darjeeling enough?
5-7 days will suffice to enjoy a leisurely and laid-back holiday in Darjeeling. Travelers can take in various thrilling activities and visit some of the top tourist destinations this season.
