Pashmina
Pashmina is a highly expensive and luxurious item found in Nepal. Pashmina products like shawls, scarves, sweaters, cardigans, and gloves are found in every Pashmina store in Thamel. Pashmina products are very soft and they are made from the undercoat of the Himalayan mountain goat that is handspun on the handloom from real fiber.
Pure pashmina is made from yak wool, which is quite expensive and tricky to find in the valley. Pashmina shawls are used as souvenirs and cost from $5 to $400, depending on the quality of the wool.
Gorkhali Khukuri
Gorkhali Khukuri are authentic knives and an exquisite example of Nepalese craftsmanship. Gorkhali Khukuri is the national weapon of Nepal. Our ancestors had bravely fought with neighboring enemies with the help of this khukuri only.
They are symbols of our ancestors' bravery and come in a myriad of designs. The real Khukuri are sharp but those used for souvenirs are blunt and come in different sizes. Its cost ranges from $15 to $25 for basic ones but designed ones cost more than hundred of dollars. When you are buying knives, make sure to buy those that are made in Nepal.
Mad Himalayan Honey
Mad Himalayan honey is one of the most popular souvenirs to take back to your home country. This honey is organic and is collected from wild bees that live on the wild hills and cliffs. Mad Himalayan honey has psychedelic properties and are available in the markets of Thamel. Make sure to buy from authentic shops only.
Prayers flags
Prayer flags, also known as Tibetan prayer flags or Dar Cho, are usually found hanging in Buddhist houses, monasteries, and stupas. The trekking trails of the Himalayas are also decorated by prayer flags on the path, chorten or on the mani walls. It symbolizes the well-being and the increase of fortune and life for all sentient beings.
The prayer flags are inscribed with mantras and symbols, and the sacred text says that when wind touches the flag, it is believed that it creates a spiritual vibration and is carried in the air as silent prayers. They come in various shapes and sizes and one can buy them as a souvenir to gift to their loved ones. Each color of the flag represents a different meaning. You can simply hang it in your ceiling, in your vehicle, or in your house entrance. The price depends on the quality, whether it's made from silk or cotton and can be easily found in the shops of Thamel and Ason Market.
Thangka paintings
Thangka paintings are an all-time favorite of travelers from around the globe. Some tourists visit Nepal just to buy the Thangka painting. The richest intricate design and gorgeous, vibrant colors make a piece of embroidered, painted textile art more unique and fascinating.
The painting is usually made on silk or cotton canvas and depicts the lives of the Buddha or great Buddhist leaders. Thangka painting ensures good health, happiness, fame, and fortune. Originally, the paintings were created to teach the trainee monks; nowadays, they are being used as decorating items in your houses and monasteries.
The opulent Thangka features gold and silver thread and pigment extracted from the semi-precious stones. The price of a Thangka painting depends on the size and material with which it is made, as well as the type of production, whether it is mass-produced or original, one-of-a-kind.
Spices
The unique and exotic taste of Nepalese foods are due to spices which are grown in Nepal. The many varieties of spices are extracted directly from the wilderness of Himalayas or fields. The most commonly used spices in Nepalese foods are ginger, garlic, coriander, Sichuan pepper or timur, chillies, turmeric, fenugreek seeds, black cardamom, cumin, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, mustard seeds, and so on.
It depends on your choice, whether you want to buy it in raw form or in powder form. They are available at Ason Market and Thamel Street with labels, which will surely avoid the issues during customs.
Tea
Nepal is popular for its tea production and exports. Tea is known as Chiya in local languages. Nepalese people love drinking tea and drink more than three cups a day. The most famous varieties of tea consumed are earl gray tea, masala tea, green tea, oolong tea, golden tips tea, silver tips tea, herbal tea, etc.
The districts like Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, and Terathum are popular for their tea production. This tea is transported to the Kathmandu valley as well and you can buy it in Ason market and Thamel shops with labels.
Statues and masks
The symbols of Nepalese society are religious, traditional, and cultural statues and masks. The statues and masks are made from different materials like brass, gold, silver, clay, bronze, cotton, or papers and show the true talent of craftsmanship in Nepal. The statues kept in Hindu temples and shrines are of religious importances.
There are a variety of masks that represent Hinduism and Buddhism and locals believe that keeping them inside the house will avoid any sort of evil eye on the households and will lead to prosperity. The masks and statues are perfect souvenirs for hanging in your house or gifting your family members when going back to your home.
Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the popular handicraft items made of gold, silver, beads, bone, and stone in Nepal. Nepalese silver is popular worldwide for its purity. You can buy a variety of things like bracelets, anklets, rings, pendants, and necklaces embedded in different colored precious stones. You can also buy custom-made jewelry according to your choices and ready-made jewelry if you are in a hurry.
Singing bowls
Singing bowls is widely popular throughout the world, especially in European countries. Nepal is one of the largest producers of singing bowls and exports them throughout the globe. They are used traditionally for Buddhist prayers and meditation.
The singing bowls are composed of two things: one is a bowl made of metal and the other is a short wooden baton. When the short wooden baton is softly rubbed into the outer rim of the bowl in a circular motion, it creates harmonious, calming sounds. The sound and harmonic vibration created by singing bowls are used for healing and meditation.
The singing bowls are handmade and machine-made, simple, and designated with different materials, which represents their price. You can buy these singing bowls from the shops or roadside vendors in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur.
Yak wools
Yak wool is extracted from the hair of the yak, which is found in the Himalayan region of Nepal. They are large, muscular, and long-haired cows with short legs. Yak wool is used for making hats, silver, scarves, sweaters, and blankets. You must be cautious while buying wool items, as there are many synthetic wools in town. Finding 100 percent yak wool is hectic work.
Brass dining ware
Brass dining wear is quite heavy but looks amazing in the dining hall. The utensils made from brass are bowls, cups, wine glass, and plates that make your dinner party quite fancy. The specific design intricately engraved on the brassware represents different ethnic groups for whom it was made. You can choose a variety of items of your choice from Indra Chowk, which is only a few steps away from Thamel.
Lokta Paper Products or Rice Paper Products
Lokta paper is used in official documentation in Government work. They are made from rice husks and from the bark of the Daphne bush (Daphne papyracea). They are really smooth and soft.
Rice paper or Lokta paper, is one of the most popular exotic handicrafts in Nepal. Nowadays, these papers are used for making photo albums, wallpapers, calendars, handbags, lampshades, notebooks, gift boxes, etc. It was originally created for recording religious stories and most Buddhist texts centuries ago.
They are extremely cheap and perfect for taking to your home as a souvenir, decorating your house, or as a as a gift to your loved ones. They are easy to carry and must be handled with great care.
Hemp bags and backpacks
Hemp is a bast fiber extracted from the stem of a cannabis plant. Natural hemp is mostly found in the Himalayan region and nowadays hemp is used for making bags and backpacks, which are trending for locals as well as foreigners. These bags and backpacks go with anything due to their classy looks. These trending bags and backpacks are bought as souvenir items. There is none who has been to Nepal and hasn't bought these bags.
Tiger moving game (Bagh Chal)
The tiger moving game, also known as Bagh Chal, originated in Nepal. It is enjoyed by every age group of people in Nepal. It is a puzzle game with a board layout that simply has a square figure or a box with a lot of small boxes and lines inside.
It has 20 goat pieces and 4 tiger pieces, where the tiger tries to eliminate the goat by jumping on them and the goat tries to block and surround the tiger. Those whose aim is success win the game. The level of detail on the cardboard and the intricacies vary with the price of the game.
You can buy this fun game and enjoy it with your friends and family in your country. You can also give this game to someone by teaching them how to play.
Dhaka products
Dhaka is the national symbolic fabric of Nepal. Dhaka products are produced in large quantity in Palpa. The most common product produced by Dhaka is Dhaka Topi. Dhaka Topi is the national cap of Nepal and is mostly worn by Nepalese men.
Dhaka products like sarees, purses, coats, and dresses have been produced in large numbers as citizens learn about the importance of traditionalism day by day. You can purchase ready-made dhaka products or design your dress or wallet as per your requirements. Dhaka products are much more affordable and can be bought in Asan market as well as from street vendors in Thamel. Those products which are handmade are quite expensive than machine made.
Madhubani/Mithila Arts
Madhubani, also known as Mithila arts, originated from the Mithila region of Bihar and Mithila, the birthplace of the goddess Sita. This beautiful art form can be traced back to the 7th century. The Maithili women of Nepal hand-paint it and have been passing it on to the upcoming generation.
At first, women of the villages drew paintings with fingers, twigs, brushes, and matchsticks on the wall of their home. The idea of drawing came from their illustration, thoughts, hopes, and dreams, and then it changed according to the time and became a part of weddings, festivals, and special events. The Mithila art is composed of bright colors, which make them stand out in the crowd. This is available in Thamel and its cost varies depending on the designs and quality.
