Darjeeling vs. Sikkim - Shopping

wolfdog

Is there any noticeable difference in terms of purchasing Tibetan/North Indian crafts in Darjeeling vs. Gangtok with respect to selection, price, etc.? Any issues with using the local postal services to be aware of? I have held off on buying such items while traveling around Southern India in expectation of better selection and price up north...

pibikay

Im Darjeeling itis more commercialised.In Gangtok if you can spare time and bargain you can get some genuine stuff

dzibead

Actually, I thought there were very "slim pickings" in Gangtok when I was there a couple of years ago, although there was some interesting fabric (similar to Bhutanese fabric) available.

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delhiwala

As pibikay said...Darjeeling has more variety but is more commercialised....Gangtok is also commercialised..but to a lower extent......

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wolfdog

A follow-up to my own question: in Darjeeling there were many craft/antique stores with a wide selection of Tibetan products, including many beautiful Thangkas. I did not find anything comparable in Gangtok at all and so I would definitely recommend anyone looking to purchase any Tibetan artifacts to do so in Darjeeling, though I think you can find everything in Delhi and in other tourist spots as well. I think the selection of Thangkas was superior in Darjeeling though and I was able to find a great one there for a cousin for his practice.

vineetsaini19

Very true wolfdog. If going for Shopping, then no second thought, DARJEELING is the best.

Gangtok being the capital city of Sikkim is far more commercialized and too expensive, moreover doesnt have a local market.

Whereas in Darjeeling you have small big all kind of shops. Mall road is best for buying the stuff.

theyyamdancer

I beg to differ inasmuch as Gangtok does have its own market. It is a covered market, the Lal Bazaar. On the ground floor they sell perishable foodstuffs. On the first floor there are Tibetan knick-knacks and other souvenirs along with the inevitable Chinese rubber shoes and imitation trainers.

True, however, that Darjeeling has more choice and is more geared towards touristic souvenirs.

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mitzijanell

A few friends who have been to both places say that the shopping in Darj is better - especially the variety.

steff

It largely depends on what you're looking for. If you want old Tibetan stuff, Darjeeling is the better choice ... but really expensive. The whole business lies in the hands of Kashmiri shopkeepers, that says it all.

If you're looking for contemporary handicrafts, however, Gangtok (Sikkim generally) is a very good place. Sikkim does quite a lot to keep the traditional crafts (Lepcha, Bhtutanese and Tibetan) alive.