Shopping in Darjeeling is a beautiful experience for any tourist. Attractive handicrafts and curios bearing Himalayan stamp, which make for gift items back home can be bought here.
The most important and valuable item of this place is the aromatic Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling tea became the first Indian product to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2004-05. A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. The use of GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.
Some of the must-buys include the locally made Tibetan paintings known as thangka, traditional masks, Nepali khukri, wooden statues, brass objects and woolen clothing. The main shopping centers in Darjeeling are Chowk Bazar, Chowrasta, Ladenla Road, Nehru Road, Supermarket, Motor Stand and Mahakal Market.
