Shopping for Souvenirs

Nepall is a country rich in culture and traditional art forms. It has a very wide range of souvenirs to choose from. Most are handicrafts made by skilled craftsmen. The popular souvenirs are colourful designs of Nepalese clothes, folk music cassettes, etc. Souvenirs shops are usually found in the shopping arcades of most of Kathmandu's larger hotels, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Jawalakhel, and in and around all palace squares and major tourist centres. Some Nepali best known and most popular souvenir items are listed below with short descriptions of each.

• Paubha (Thangka): Paubhas are religious scroll paintings usually depicting Buddhist deities. There are many types and qualities of Paubhas (also known as thangka in Tibetan) available in the Kathmandu Valley. The best and inexpensive ones are found in Bhaktapur, where professional artists devote their entire time producing hand-painted masterpieces.
• Oil and Water Colour Paintings: Oil paintings and water colour paintings have become more popular recently, usually represent either contemporary modern abstract compositions or compositions based on nature and cultural heritage of Nepal. The best places to enjoy or buy paintings are the Art Galleries all over the country.
• Carpets: Carpets are probably Nepal's most popular sovenir item after the paintings and Paubha. It takes a lot of hard work and materials to make good carpets. Nepali carpets are woven entirely by hand on huge handlooms. Chemical and vegetable dyes are used. Carpets are mainly woven in the Kathmandu Valley The sizes vary from sixteen inches square (to cover chairs) to very big ones to cover large halls. The most popular size is the three by six feet carpets, of designs from fire-breathing dragons to Buddhist symbols and contemporary geometric patterns.
• Handicrafts: Handicrafts that are popular among foreigners in Nepal are a variety of traditional and religious items such as wooden, ibory or bronze prayer wheels, amulets, prayer boxes and ritual bells and other practical items like coats and belts and buckles.

Other souvenirs of Nepal are listed below. I might try to find more information about these in the future and post it here.

• Dolls and Puppets
• Rice Paper Prints (exclusively Nepali)
• Nepalese Clothes
• Bags and Purses
• Idols and Images
• Khukuris
• Jewelry, Ornaments and Precious Stones
• Folk Music Cassettes
• Stamps and Coins