Best Shopping & Malls in Thimphu, Bhutan
Shopping in Thimphu
- Traveller favouritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveller rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
Category types
Shopping
Traveller rating
Good for
21 places sorted by traveller favourites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Art Galleries
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Open now
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
City Tours • Multi-day Tours
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
City Tours • Multi-day Tours
Shopping Malls
Speciality & Gift Shops
Open now
What travellers are saying
- YK1973Mumbai, India213 contributionsRun by one of the celebrities of Bhutan who became popular in Bollywood as a model-Kelly Dorji- it has artefacts and antiques for the rich.Written 9 May 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Soumyajit SahaKolkata (Calcutta), India399 contributionsThimphu Handicraft Market is a famous market place to visit in Thimphu. People should visit this place at least once.Written 4 September 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Guido VBrussels, Belgium7 contributionsWe visited the sunday farmers market wich gives a good flavor of Bhutan and the farmers , we lived to walk aroundWritten 17 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Wendy YSingapore, Singapore185 contributionsClean and neatly laid out market that sells fresh produce like vegetables and fruits; dried meats; homemade honey, cheese and butter; different sorts of grains; incense powders; etc. There are also shops around it selling sundry goods and clothing and bags. Very nice place to immerse in the local way of life. Definitely worth a visit!Written 13 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Tashi DendupAustralian Capital Territory, Australia1 contributionJunction Bookstore is my favourite in the capital although I don't belong to that locality. It's been some years that I haven't been there but the last time I was there I did check out some amazing book collections. I am simply in love of the classics they have in the collection.Written 17 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- helen k6 contributionsBeautifully designed bags, belts, clothing - all carefully crafted, and infused with the love of Bhutanese culture and creativity. Chandrika Tamang is a very passionate local designer and while you can buy her products from CDK online - her store is a must stop for any visitor to Thimphu, if you want to take home a unique bespoke hand crafted gift or keepsake.Written 28 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Sharad ShrimaliAhmedabad, India405 contributionsThis Handicraft Emporium is quite near to the Textile Museum and the occasional Craft Bazaar of Thimphu. This big shop comprising two floors - ground and first - is owned and managed by the government, and has fixed prices.
You don't need to pay anything to enter it, as such.
The quality is, thus, unquestionable, but so is the price.
For those who want to take away some memories in the form of souvenirs for themselves and for others, I'd recommend to get an idea of the handicrafts of Bhutan from here, though the decision whether to buy from here or not, is after all, subjective.
PS: this shop accepts credit/debit cards.Written 28 May 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Cassie5 contributionsOn the first day, we drove past the Craft Gallery and I was intrigued by the outward appearance of the building. So, I asked my guide about the place and he told me it was closed on Sundays but we could see it the next day. The inside of the building was even more unassuming, where the decor made the place look classy and yet also a little homely. The items sold were in good condition and of high quality, and the staff there were extremely helpful. They often asked if I needed clarification on the items I looked at and even followed me around, helping me when I had questions. I spent longer than I would think there, learning more about the place and the items they sold. Good job! Although the items were a little pricey, I think it was worth it for the quality and the fact that they bubble wrapped the items I bought, giving me more security over the items, especially because I had to bring it back to Singapore and was not sure if my glass items would break during the flight.Written 2 July 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- ShellyGlenorchy, Australia7 contributionsI visited DSB Books during my travel to Bhutan. I was amazed to see their collection. Infact i found few of the books i had been searching for every where i go. I must say this is a complete Book house.
Its a MUST visit Book shop in Bhutan.Written 13 November 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - ALT1812Boston, MA5 contributionsFinding the right place to shop for souvenirs can be a challenge in any country. Bhutan is no exception. As everywhere else, most shops carry the standard fare that is the same from one store to another. It can be very difficult to find a store that has unique items that can serve as a reminder of the country and its culture after the trip. Lungta Handicraft rises to the challenge.
The first floor has a comprehensive collection of standard souvenirs, ranging from stamps to textiles to statuettes. Even there, there were some very helpful finds, such as foods (e.g. dark chocolate with gooseberries) that you will not find anywhere else, and which served as great souvenirs for friends and family back home. However, it's the second floor where you will find many unique items: wooden masks, ritual daggers, beautiful textiles, dragon statues, etc. We couldn't resist.
The reason for the less-than-five-star review is the staff's packaging skills. Unfortunately they clearly don't know what it takes to transport a valuable item undamaged in airline luggage. They remain under the mistaken impression that wrapping it in multiple soft layers will help, whereas this is far from the case (you need a hard shell, such as a wooden box). This becomes particularly important if you are purchasing something large that may not fit into your luggage and has to be transported on its own - a large wooden dragon statue we purchased was smashed into multiple pieces by the time we arrived back home. Thus if you shop there, be prepared to take initiative into your own hands when it comes to packaging.Written 20 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Thimphu
- These places are best for shopping in Thimphu:
- Terton Gallery
- The Artshop Gallery
- Thimphu Handicrafts Market
- Ahimsa Adventure
- Carbon Neutral Bhutan Travel