A quest to the Himalayas means a stopover in Kathmandu, Nepal. The capital city is an assault to the senses; the colorful and busy city is full of interesting sights, weird smells and confounding sounds. Apart from the memories, Kathmandu has a lot to offer to the treasure seeker. From exciting pieces of history like Khukuri knives and Thangka paintings to things of beauty like Pashmina shawls, there are a lot of unique Nepalese things and artifacts that you can pick up on your trip.
Wondering what to buy in Kathmandu, Nepal? We have handpicked our favorite souvenirs and the best places to buy them, so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting.
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1. Khukuri knife
The Khukuri knife is to a Gurkha what a Katana is to a Samurai! The Khukuri is the traditional choice of weapon for the Gurkhas or Nepali soldiers. Even today it is a part of the uniform of the Nepalese Army and the Gurkha contingents of India, Singapore, and Britain. The knife is curved and comes in various sizes, the average one used for the general purpose is between 40-45 cm (16-18 in) while the military ones are much bigger. The Khukuri knife is an ideal gift for men, and you don’t have to think twice about what to buy in Kathmandu for your male friends and relatives back home.
Gorkha Zone Khukuri House
Address: 369, Tridevi Sadak, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 9 PM
Price: from USD 70
2. Thangka paintings
Thangka paintings are a traditional Tibetan art form and were originally created by Llamas. The paintings often depict Buddha apart from a variety of Tibetan deities. The paintings are geometric and focused on symmetry and beautiful designs. The paintings are generally made on cotton and silk and rolled up like scrolls when not in use. They are also small in size, but you can see huge Thangka paintings in monasteries. These paintings have been made in Nepal since the 13th century and have been used for teaching, religious and meditation purposes. A small thangka painting is the best souvenir to take from Kathmandu.
Traditional Mandala Thangka Painting Art School and Co-operative
Address: Swachapu Marga, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Price: from USD 100
3. Singing bowl
The singing bowl has become synonymous with Tibet and is often referred to as Tibetan singing bowl. The bowl is an inverted bell also otherwise known as sitting bell and comes from ancient China. The vibrations from the bowl along with the unique strains of music make the singing bowl an essential instrument in Tibetan culture. It is often used in religious ceremonies, for healing and spiritual rituals, as well as music. If you are wondering what to buy in Kathmandu then pick up a singing bowl. These copper and tin bowls are beautifully decorated with inscriptions and designs.
Mata Laxmi Handicraft and Singing Bowl House
Address: J.P Road, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Price: from USD 10
4. Prayer flags
If you want to get something inexpensive yet meaningful from your Nepal trip for friends back home, then stop thinking about what to buy in Kathmandu! The best thing you can get for them is prayer flags. The Buddhist prayer flags bring in more luck when they are gifted. These colorful flags can be seen across the Himalayas, and each of the colors has a meaning. Green is water; yellow is earth, red is fire, white is air and blue is wind. The fluttering of these flags is supposed to herald good luck, and it’s best to keep them afloat near lamp posts or doors where the wind can pass through them.
Yolmo Prayer Flags & Handicraft Exports
Address: Opposite To Police Station, Boudhanath Sadak, 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM
Price: from USD 3
Kathmandu Tour Guide
Dinesh Thapa Magar
Meet Dinesh, your go-to guide for an unforgettable Nepal experience. With years of expertise, he seamlessly blends city charm with mountain thrill. Let Dinesh unveil Nepal's secrets, from vibrant streets to towering peaks, creating memories that linger far beyond the journey.
Tours by Dinesh thapa magar
5. Jewelry
Nepalese Jewelry is striking and colorful, and it consists of relay and inlay work with beads, and semi-precious stones. Color is an essential element in Buddhist philosophy, and each stone has a meaning. If you are a jewelry collector and wondering what to buy in Kathmandu that’s a specialty, choose to buy Dzi beads. Dzi beads have a deep connection to well-being and health. Another significant jewelry is the Rudraksha, which is essentially a seed but crafted into beautiful prayer beads, bracelets and more. The Rudraksh is symbolic of Lord Shiva and can easily be found in Kathmandu.
Panchakanya Jewellers
Address: Ghattekulo, Maitidevi, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
Price: from USD 47
6. Local tea and coffee
Nepal is a mountain country so it seems incongruous that it would be a tea and coffee producing nation. The eastern region of Nepal, close to Darjeeling in India produces some of the finest teas in the world. The orthodox teas include a selection of green, oolong, and white tea while it also produces the standard curl, tear curl (CTC) tea. Coffee is also usually grown in the tropics, but Nepal manages to produce excellent arabica green coffee at one of the highest altitudes in the world. Grab a pack of tea and coffee from the Kathmandu markets, if you are confused about what to buy in Kathmandu, and you have yourself a winner!
Teafresho
Address: Chhusya Galli, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Price: from USD 16
7. Trekking gear
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Eight of the top ten world’s highest mountains are located in Nepal including the Everest and Annapurna. The world travels to Nepal to trek and attempts a scale these fantastic mountains, so it’s no wonder that you can buy all the trekking gear you want in Nepal. Make a list of what you want to buy in Kathmandu and shop when you reach there; you don’t have to carry everything from home when you are in the city. The city has some of the best brands at great prices. You will find everything from trekking poles to rucksacks here!
Shona's Alpine
Address: Amrit Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6:30 PM
Price: from USD 10
8. Lokta paper products
Lokta paper is a Nepali indigenous paper made out of a shrub known as lokta. The shrub is Daphne and is similar to the Laurel plants. The lokta plants are abundant in Nepal and are produced in almost 25 districts. The papermaking process is eco-friendly, and the paper has been used for centuries for writing religious texts and official documents. Today, the lokta paper is used to create paper stationery and other products like notebooks, photo frames, lampshades, paper bags, etc. If sustainable and eco-friendly products are a priority then spend on these Lokta paper products.
Raja Paper Crafts
Address: Amrit Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM
Price: from USD 2
9. Pashmina shawls
Pashmina or cashmere is often associated with Kashmir in India, but Nepal is a hub of pashmina as well. The pashmina wool is gathered from Chyangara or Nepalese pashmina Goat and is used to make exquisite pashmina shawls. The wool is of the finest quality, and the products are generally exported abroad. You can find yourself a good pashmina shawl at a decent price right at the source so that you can be assured of the quality. It makes for a wonderful birthday gift for female relatives and is the ideal mix of comfort, style, and warmth.
S.K Handicrafts Export
Address: Amrit Marg, 44600, Nepal
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM
Price: from USD 100
10. Bagh chal
Bagh-Chal or ‘Tiger game’ is a Nepalese board game. Two players can play this game but unlike other games with one or two pawns, here one team has a tiger and the opposing team has 20 goats. It’s a strategy game where it’s the survival of the smartest! It will be a fun addition to your game nights back home and is a good way to bring home memories of your Kathmandu trip. Although it might be difficult to find a good set as most people in Nepal have like the rest of the world moved on to mobile games!
Mahaguthi Craft With Conscience
Address: Lazimpat Road, 44600, Kathmandu
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
Price: from USD 5
Authentic Nepalese souvenirs for your loved ones
That’s a lot of choices you have got there for shopping in Kathmandu! Just make sure you pack the Khukri in your check-in luggage, while taking special care of the Thangka paintings and lotka paper, wrap them up carefully and ideally carry them with you. Happy shopping!
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