16th Jun, 2025

Top Things to Buy in Nepal

- Magnificent Himalayan Treks

Eight of the tallest mountains in the world may be found in Nepal, a well-liked tourism destination in Asia that offers both luxury and affordable options.

The Kathmandu Valley is known for its skilled artists and craftspeople, who have contributed to museums and UNESCO World Heritage Sites all around the world.

Yarshagumba, Mad Honey, Lokta Handmade Paper, Singing Bowls, Nepali tea, scroll art, and Pashmina shawls are all well-liked Nepali gifts.

Antiques such as paintings, old texts, and statues made of stone and metal can be bought in Kathmandu, however they could need a special export certificate.

A popular export from Nepal, pashmina shawls are prized for their warmth and tenderness and are manufactured from the wool of Himalayan mountain goats.

More on Nepalese Art

One of Asia's most well-liked vacation spots is Nepal. This small Himalayan nation is a popular destination for both luxury and low-cost tourists. The nation provides both high-end and low-cost travel, lodging, and entertainment alternatives.

This landlocked nation, which is tucked away between China and India, is home to eight of the world's fourteen highest mountains.

In the past, Nepal's artists have performed in the court of powerful rulers like Kublai Khan, and the country has a rich cultural heritage. 

Generations of skilled artisans, painters, and architects have created masterpieces in the Kathmandu valley, whose creations have graced Hindu and Buddhist shrines as well as palace squares. Some of the world's most renowned museums now display their creations. 

Rare medicinal plants and herbs that are exclusively found in the Himalayas can be found in abundance in Nepal.

Among the popular gifts that visitors purchase from Nepal are Yarsagumba, the Himalayan aphrodisiac that is collected in the country's mountains, Mad Honey, Lokta Handmade Paper, Singing Bowl, scroll paintings, Nepali tea, and more.

You will undoubtedly want to bring a piece of Nepalese art as a memento if you travel there. Don't worry; you can purchase a number of goods that are as distinctive as the nation.

So, if you're wondering what to buy as mementos while in Nepal, we've put up a list for you.

What trinkets should I get in Nepal?

Vintage

The rich cultural heritage of Nepal extends over two millennia into the past. Some of South Asia's best painters, woodcarvers, sculptors, and other artists call the nation home.

A number of structures and artworks created by Kathmandu Valley Newari craftsmen and artists have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Their creations have adorned culturally significant historical sites in Tibet (the Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse) and China (the White Dagoba Stupa in Beijing's Miaoying Temple), in addition to Nepal.

Beautiful antiques may be purchased in Kathmandu's Thamel, Boudha, and Patan art stores and curio shops.

From exquisitely carved statues of gods and goddesses made of stone and metal to paintings and old manuscripts, if you want to buy an antique item and have it shipped back to your own country, you should obtain a specific certificate from the Department of Archeology.

Sacred artworks, manuscripts, and statues older than a century are prohibited from export since they are considered national treasures.
 

The Pashmina Shawl

Wool from the undercoat of chyangras, or domesticated mountain goats, which are only found in the high Himalayan mountains, is known as pashmina.

Delicate, fine, silky, and incredibly warm are characteristics of pashmina wool and the items created from it. Nepal's main exports to other countries are pashmina shawls, stoles, mufflers, and more.

You could attempt to buy an authentic one, even though the market is overrun with replicas and Pashmina blended with silk or other materials. Given how exquisite and costly an original Pashmina is, it may become an heirloom piece.

Chitrakars are members of the Newari ethnic group who live in the Kathmandu Valley. The painting depicts both Buddhist and Hindu deities and is said to bring merit to both the painter and the owner of the painting.

A pauba differs from other traditional paintings in that it must be painted according to precise guidelines.

When painting a "pauba," a pauba artist must adhere to certain predetermined deity dimensions, hues, and positions.

The pauba is made on a rectangular piece of silk or cotton fabric that has been thickened with white clay and buffalo glue. The pauba's paint is made from organic ingredients, such as plants and minerals.

The picture is further embellished with dust of gold and silver. But artists also employ artificial hues these days.

The Paubhas are mostly commissioned by Newari Buddhist merchants within the Newari society. Following its creation, the painting is shown at temples, monasteries, and holy shrines.

The artworks are seen in public during religious events. It is believed that focusing on a "pauba" will help in meditation and provide merit.

A 'pauba' painting can now be bought at art galleries or internet sites that sell Himalayan crafts and artwork.

Thangka

A Tibetan scroll painting known as a Thangka was influenced by the "pauba" painting style. Centuries ago, the Pauba style of painting (called as 'thangkha') was brought to Tibet by Kathmandu's Newari merchants and artists.

Though solely Buddhist deities and iconography are shown in thangkas, they share motifs with paubhas.

Similar to paubas, thankas are displayed on altars, temples, and monasteries after being mounted on brocade and silk fabrics. 

A thankha painting used to need to be commissioned, but these days, you can get them easily in art stores. A 'thanka' art workshop is another place to learn how 'thankas' are painted.

One of those unique mementos that you will always treasure is thanka. It is offered for sale in Thamel and Boudha's art and antique stores in Kathmandu.

Khukuri

Both regular people and Gurkha military utilize khukuri, a traditional Nepalese blade, for domestic tasks. A multipurpose weapon, the curved blade has been linked to the Gurkha warriors' fabled bravery.

Khukuri will make a wonderful present or keepsake. You can choose between a conventional size and a small one. Ordinary ones have scabbards covered in leather or resin, while decorative ones have scabbards that are elaborate.

Additionally, you can purchase a personalized khukuri by visiting a khukuri workshop.

Carved Wooden Items

Generations of skilled woodcarvers have crafted temples, traditional residences, heritage hotels, and government structures in the Kathmandu Valley. 

Beautifully carved wooden windows, doors, and little ornamental objects like statues and boxes are all highly valued mementos.

Crystals and semi-precious stones

Gemstones and crystals are thought to have the ability to elevate your consciousness. It is said that using these semi-precious stones in meditation can elevate your spirituality.

There are several stores in Thamel that sell crystals and gemstones that help with meditation and spiritual purification, such as amethyst, lapis lazuli, selenite, citrine, etc., if you're searching for stones that can raise your consciousness and cleanse your aura.

Traditional Ornaments

One of Nepal's cultural treasures is the unique jewelry worn by its women. Every ethnic group has unique jewelry designs and styles. The traditional jewelry worn by the Limbu women contrasts with the elaborate and enormous silver jewelry worn by the Tharu ladies.

consists of enormous sculpted gold discs worn on the neck, ears, and head. The exquisite necklaces and headdresses made by the Newari people in the Kathmandu Valley are modeled after stupas and other sacred symbols.

An essential piece of jewelry worn by Nepali women is a pote, which is a necklace composed of colored glass beads. A married woman is identified by the pote worn with a gold 'tilari', a cylindrical pendant made of gold.

Nepal has a wide range of options for jewelry enthusiasts.

Nepali Tea

Tea is one of Nepal's most underappreciated goods. The flavor and aroma of Nepali tea, which is cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayan highlands, are superb.

Green tea gardens abound in the eastern Nepalese hills that border India's Darjeeling region. Some of the highest-quality teas in the world are produced at Illam, which is referred to as the tea capital of Nepal.

It has the same climate and geography as the Indian hill station of Darjeeling, which is renowned for its high-end tea production. The districts of Panchthar, Terathum, Jhapa, and Dhankuta are also included in Nepal's tea zone.

The nearby towns of Kavre and Sindhupalchowk have recently seen the establishment of tea gardens.

When visiting Nepal, it's a terrific idea to buy a packet of green tea, oolong tea, white tea, and hand-rolled tea to take home.

Organic Honey

Honey is one item that will make your souvenir cart sweeter. The nectar of rare Himalayan wildflowers, which are free of pesticides, is used to make Nepali organic honey. Because Nepali organic honey is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it has therapeutic qualities.

In the Annapurna Region, Gurung and Magar men gather cliff honey, also known as mad honey, from the tall rocky cliffs. This honey has both therapeutic and intoxicating qualities.

The Himalayan giant honey bees' (Apis dorsata laboriosa) cliffside hives are where the honey is taken.

The nectar of rhododendron and wildflower blooms, which contains the hallucinogenic chemical grayanotoxin, is used by bees to produce honey.

It is important to use caution when drinking this honey because exceeding the recommended dosage might result in drunkenness and other health problems.