Bhutan shopping guide — 10+ best Bhutan souvenirs, gifts & must things to buy in Bhutan

Bhutan is a vibrant Buddhist country, known for its serene natural landscape and spirituality. There are many monasteries here and the people are very friendly and welcoming. One of the main features of the Bhutanese economy and culture is the unique handicrafts and handmade items that tourists love to buy during their vacations. So, what is famous in Bhutan, what souvenirs to buy in Bhutan and what to buy in Bhutan (Bhutan what to buy)? Let’s check out our Bhutan shopping guide with the suggested list of 10+ best Bhutan gifts, Bhutan souvenirs, things to buy in Bhutan as follows!

There are many things you can purchase in Bhutan during your vacation. While enjoying a stay here, explore the many sights and also do some souvenir shopping. Take home the very best of this destination to keep a memorable experience of Bhutan.

There are also plenty of places to shop, and each item in Bhutan tells stories of the country’s rich history. What you buy here also speaks to the ingenuity of local people.

Handicrafts made from sugarcane and bamboo (# bhutan gifts)

To answer the question of what to buy in Bhutan, you can start with the most popular handicrafts available here – items made from sugarcane and bamboo materials. There are many stores in the country that sell these items.

There are rugs, baskets, wall hangings, utensils, and more. They use natural dyes to help create these products.

Where to buy: Lunga Handicraft, Chang Lam, and Thimphu

Dzi beads – Himalayan beads (# bhutan souvenirs)

Among the many things to buy in Bhutan are colorful Dzi beads. Also known as Himalayan beads, they are used to make accessories like bracelets, necklaces, and so on.

They have many different patterns, including oval, circle, square, wave, stripe, zig-zag, line, dot, and diamond, as well as other icon patterns.

You will be surprised to know that these beads are the most expensive ones found on the ground. It is believed that these beads are the creation of god and they bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. You can also find cheaper versions in the local market.

Where to buy: Thimphu

Gold and silver jewelry

Some of the best things in Bhutan to buy include jewelry and accessories. The ones crafted in gold and silver are particularly essential to the Bhutanese local life, especially the women. There are various designs in terms of complexity.

Expertise and craftsmanship contribute to the creation of these pieces of jewelry. Available items for purchase are arm jewelry, earrings, necklace, and so on.

Where to buy: Thimphu

Dappa – Handmade wooden bowl (# what to buy in bhutan)

One of the best things to buy in Bhutan is Dappa. These are traditional Bhutanese wooden bowls.

The fantastic thing about these items is that they are handmade. You can buy these bowls almost anywhere in Bhutan. This is due to the fact that they are used daily by most households in the country.

Where to buy: Thinley Dhendup Crafts and General Store and Trashi Yangtse

Hand-woven goods

Of the many things to buy in Bhutan, hand-woven goods are the most popular. The people of Bhutan are known for their great art and craftsmanship. People here use different materials such as cotton, raw cotton, and silk to make different types of textiles.

Colorful hand-carved mask (# what souvenirs to buy in bhutan)

If you’re looking for something festive, the colorfully carved masks are one of the ideal things to buy from the Bhutanese. These accessories are part of the big festivals.

Dances are part of these events – this is where the masks come into play. Masks can be used as indoor decorations as well.

Where to buy: Thimphu

Buddhist sculptures and paintings (# best things to buy in bhutan)

Buddhist sculptures and paintings are really popular among the things to buy in Bhutan. The country is a Buddhist kingdom, so these items are commonly available in local markets.

People use minerals and clay to make these items. Decorate your home and office with these colorful works of art that you purchased during your holiday to Bhutan.

Where to buy: Choki Handicrafts, Choki Khangzang, and Pedzoe Lam

Bhutanese handmade paper

There are many things to buy in Bhutan, among which Daysho or Bhutanese paper is quite popular. The country has a huge forest cover percentage of about 72% of the total land area. Thus, local people take advantage of this aspect to produce many goods.

This paper has many uses – printing scriptures, legal agreements, and drawing manuscripts. Gift wraps, diaries, greeting cards, and notebooks are also made from this paper.

Where to buy: Thimphu

Sword, bow, and arrow

While on vacation, you can buy swords, bows, and arrows as souvenirs. Often sold as gifts, these items are pretty popular with tourists.

The materials used are bamboo and other plants available in the production area. Since Bhutan’s national game is archery, these items are readily available.

Where to buy: Thimphu and Paro

Wooden products

Because Bhutan has a huge forest cover, most of the country’s products are made from natural materials. The most common is the wood found in the forests of Bhutan.

You can find different products made of finely carved wood such as utensils, cabinets, mirror frames, jewelry boxes, and tables.

If you wonder what to buy in Bhutan as gifts and souvenirs, the above items are the perfect choice as the wood found in this country is of the best quality. There are many places where you can purchase these items, each of which features artistic variations in Bhutan.

Where to buy: Thimphu and Paro

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Bhutan you can refer to

• 5D4N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 9D8N Classic Bhutan Tour
• Thimphu Private Car Charter
• 6D5N Dagala Thousand Lake Trek
• 6D5N Druk Path Trek
• 14D13N Laya – Gasa Trek
• 7D6N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 8D7N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 6D5N Classic Bhutan Tour

Read more: The fullest Bhutan travel guide blog for a wonderful trip to Bhutan for the first-timers and Bhutan guide here.