Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Shopping in Sikkim reflects the local way of life and the charm of the Himalayas. The state is famous for its monasteries, hills, and trekking, yet the markets are just as popular with visitors. The bazaars are packed with handicrafts, and small shops offer organic teas, woollens, and handloom products. Tourists often buy hand-woven carpets, thangka paintings, prayer flags, and other souvenirs that reflect Sikkimese culture. Street shopping in Gangtok, Pelling, and Namchi is simple, colorful, and can be as memorable as sightseeing itself. With every purchase, that locally crafted item or that freshly plucked vegetable or fruit, there’s some Sikkimese craftsmanship of warmth and creativity, and shopping in Sikkim is an experience in itself.
10 Best Shopping Places In Sikkim
Discover ten places for shopping in Sikkim, from a handloom carpet to a classic thangka, perfect for travellers, culture buffs, and souvenir hunters.
1. Directorate Of Handicrafts And Handloom
Photo: Monis Yousafzai / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
For authentic and certified centuries-old shopping in Sikkim, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom (DHH) at Gangtok is the destination. This government-run centre is tasked with the preservation and protection of Sikkimese art and craft. Customers get the privilege of witnessing the artisans working as they shop for exclusive products such as thangka paintings, hand-knotted carpets, wooden masks, tastefully crafted Choktse tables, and woollen shawls. They all say something about the Sikkimese rich heritage and craftsmanship, so you take home something genuine and unique. DHH, unlike open bazaars, provides set prices, and you shop with assurance of quality and value. The centre is also an educational outing, with demonstrations in woodwork and traditional textiles.
How To Reach: Some 2 km from the city centre of Gangtok; very accessible by taxi.
Main Attractions: Thangkas, carpets, woollens, wooden masks, and handloom items.
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Gangtok For An Ideal Getaway
2. MG Marg
Photo: Saurav022 / Shutterstock
MG Marg, Gangtok, is the lively hub of Sikkim shopping and a must-visit destination for all travellers. This lively footpath shopping street, tastefully lined with prayer flags, flower beds, and benches, offers a lively but relaxed shopping environment. The street is lined with handicraft shops, bookshops, cafes, and boutique shops for sale of anything from traditional thangka paintings, woollen clothes, and Choktse tables to fun souvenirs such as tea gift boxes, fridge magnets, and postcards. The most significant aspect is the car-free policy, so perfect for shopping, leisure walks, or even relaxing in cosy cafes. In the evening, the street also comes alive, with the road lit and lined with foreigners and locals.
How To Reach: Centrally located in Gangtok; taxi or walking distance from surrounding hotels.
Main Attractions: Handicraft shops, tea houses, thangkas, cafes, and souvenir stalls.
Entry Fee: Free
3. Lal Bazaar
Photo: Piyush Tripathi / Wikimedia Commons
Lal Bazaar is one of the most cosmopolitan and culturally vibrant shopping destinations in Sikkim, located just close to MG Marg. It’s a busy market where locals are present for their everyday needs as well as special purchases. Locals throng here for the authentic experience of bargaining with people when shopping at stalls laden with organic vegetables and fruits, old cheese (chhurpi), bamboo baskets, woollen outfits, and home-made pickles. The market also offers mini handicrafts, household goods, and spices, so it makes sense to shop here to purchase cheap souvenirs. Sundays are particularly vibrant, with locals from the surrounding villages offering fresh produce and home-made products, so the market is a throbbing, vibrant hub.
How To Reach: Walking distance from MG Marg; also accessible by local taxis.
Main Attractions: Bamboo products, woollens, homemade pickles, and organic food.
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Shopping Mall In Guwahati
4. Old Market
Photo: Annette Poi / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Old Market in Gangtok is the best example of value-for-money shopping in Sikkim. This busy marketplace has small boutiques and stalls with an unimaginable array of cheap stuff ranging from woollen jackets, sweaters, and blankets to imitation jewellery and bangles. It is far from today’s shopping malls or high-end boutiques, as Old Market prospers in the chaotic environment where bargaining is a way of life. Foreign tourists enjoy window shopping on slim roads lined with colourful patches of cloth, odd souvenirs, and ready-to-wear footwear available at negotiable prices. Outside of shopping, shopping is half as much about greeting courteous sellers and getting lost in the lively atmosphere as it is about obtaining commodities.
How To Reach: Situated at the very centre of Gangtok, next to the solo taxi stand.
Main Attractions: Budget woollens, jewellery, souvenirs, and casual footwear.
Entry Fee: Free
5. New Market
Photo: Ricky Esquivel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Gangtok’s New Market is a public shopping complex with a bit more structured experience than Old Market. Renowned for its variety of clothing, footwear, home decor products, and souvenirs, it is visited by locals as well as tourists. Not so traditional like MG Marg or Lal Bazaar, New Market is an appropriate option for fast shopping at reasonable costs. The tourists buy casual, winter wear, accessories, and souvenirs from here, thus making it a cheap place in their travel itinerary. The market is full of people throughout the day, and the shops are filled with bright clothing, bags, and trinkets. Bargaining is common, and it forces tourists to buy at their own price level.
How To Reach: Near Old Market; by taxi or on foot.
Main Attractions: Clothing, accessories, housekeeping supplies, and souvenirs.
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Panimur Waterfalls
6. Monastery Shops
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Shopping in Sikkim would not be complete without going to the monastery shops that dot the state. These are small but vital stores found in monasteries such as Rumtek, Pemayangtse, Tashiding, and Enchey. They have a unique set of religious items such as prayer wheels, incense sticks, Buddhist holy books, prayer flags, beads, and small deities. All the products purchased from these outlets are of significant religious and cultural significance, and therefore, they are nothing but souvenirs. The reason such shopping is worthwhile is that the proceeds always go towards the funding of the monasteries and monks, so that the tradition is kept alive and spiritual activities are continued. Tourists enjoy strolling through such peaceful shops after a prayer session or among monastery complexes.
How To Reach: Situated all over Sikkim near monasteries; approachable by local transport or taxi.
Main Attractions: Prayer flags, incense sticks, Buddhist scriptures, and religious paraphernalia.
Entry Fee: Depending on the monastery entrance, shopping charges vary.
7. Namchi Central Market
Photo: Saurav022 / Shutterstock
Namchi Central Market in the capital town of South Sikkim is a vibrant bazaar where tradition and modernity walk together. This live bazaar is famous for the retail sale of a wide range of handicrafts, woollen apparel, local products, and traditional items. The uniqueness of this bazaar is that here, there are pure organic spices and tea available, which can be good souvenirs for international tourists. The tourists can also buy handicraft products such as hand-spun cloth, bamboo products, and winter wear at reasonable prices. Namchi Market is not just a shopping mall, it is a taste of the day-to-day life of South Sikkim, where locals and visitors come together in a lively atmosphere.
How To Reach: In the heart of Namchi town, within walking distance from most hotels or by taxi.
Main Attractions: Woollens, handicrafts, organic teas, spices.
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Namchi
8. Pelling Handicraft Shops
Photo: Mathias Reding / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Pelling in West Sikkim is not only more attractive for its serene mountain scenery but also due to the presence of handicraft boutiques. Just close to Pemayangtse Monastery and the town centre are these paradise boutiques of some of the cleanest Sikkimese craftsmanship. The visitors can purchase anything ranging from thangka paintings, hand-knotted carpets, wooden masks carved out, to woollen items. They are both a pride of West Sikkim Buddhist culture and art, and therefore, most sought after by tourists and collectors. They are slightly pricey when weighed against Gangtok’s bazaars, but the perfect quality and restricted products justify the expense.
How To Reach: At Pelling town, taxi service from Gangtok (about 120 km).
Main Attractions: Carpets, thangkas, masks, and woollens.
Entry Fee: Free
9. Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology Souvenir Shop
Photo: Anjan Kumar Kundu / Wikimedia Commons
The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok is one of the world’s best centres of scholarship and Tibetan culture. Besides its museum, it has a well-stocked souvenir shop offering serious souvenirs. Tibetan Buddhist literature, postcards, sacred objects, and locally produced items are sold retail to tourists. Surfing here is unique compared to surfing elsewhere in the sense that each product there bears a connection to Sikkimese history and Tibetan culture. Scholars, researchers, and spiritually motivated tourists walk into the store looking for souvenirs that transcend superficiality. The thrill of shopping is in the peaceful ambience, and the items are real, most of which are made by the locals.
How To Reach: Approximately 2 km from Gangtok city centre; accessible by taxi.
Main Attractions: Books, artefacts, postcards, and Buddhist memorabilia.
Entry Fee: Institute entry fees are payable; shopping is separate.
Suggested Read: Guwahati Museums
10. Temi Tea Estate
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Temi Tea Estate in South Sikkim is one of India’s top places to produce tea and a tea lover’s heaven. Scissors-slicing across idyllic hill slopes, the estate not only has the most breathtaking views but also pre-purchase premium organic tea shopping delights. The tourists are also treated to tea-tasting sessions before purchasing neatly wrapped pieces of Temi Tea, which make ideal souvenirs or gifts. Estate teas are renowned internationally for their taste and quality, an indicator of Sikkim’s entry into organic farming. For you, however, shopping is more than just a transaction but a journey into Sikkim’s organic heritage. A stroll through the rolling plantations, a greeting to labourers, and an acquaintance with tea-making make the trip worthwhile.
How To Reach: Approximately 51 km from Gangtok; accessible by taxi or local transport.
Main Attractions: Organic Temi Tea, tea-brewing plant, scenic plantations.
Entry Fee: Free
Shopping in Sikkim offers a deep dive into the state’s rich heritage and tradition. Explore vibrant bazaars filled with prayer flags, thangka paintings, and handwoven rugs, or browse boutique stores offering organic teas and crafts. Every purchase reflects Sikkimese imagination and warmth. Interact with locals, experience their famed hospitality, and take home soulful souvenirs. Book your trip with TripXL today and discover the magic of Sikkim’s markets!
Cover Photo: ImagesofIndia / Shutterstock
