Hunt out great bargains at these colourful markets
Laad Bazaar, Hyderabad
The market
One of Hyderabad’s oldest and largest markets, Laad Bazaar is located in the shadow of the city’s iconic Charminar monument.
What to buy
The market is best known for its bangles, which are available in a vast array of colours and styles. Other items worth picking up include silverware, pearl necklaces and ittar, an essential oil made from botanical sources.
What to eat
Street snacks include samosa (a deep-fried savoury pastry with a potato filling) and crisp sweet-salty Osmania biscuits (named after the last ruler of Hyderabad).
Opening hours
Daily, from 9am (noon for some shops) to 11pm.
Char Kaman
Wu Kuai Shi Market, Chengdu
The market
This wholesale spice market beside the Chengdu North Railway Station is lined with burlap sacks of peppercorn and other spices like cumin and coriander – staple ingredients of Sichuan cuisine.
What to buy
Stock up on packets and bottles of dried Sichuan pepper. Several vendors also sell artisanal pixian doubanjiang (chilli broad bean paste).
What to eat
Try pao cai (pickled vegetables) like cabbage and long beans, cooked with assorted spices.
Opening hours
Daily, usually from noon to evening.
North Second Ring Rd, Jinniu District
Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai
The market
Also known as Walking Street, this market is a showcase of local skill and craftsmanship, with many vendors making their own wares by hand. Starting at the famous Tha Phae Gate, it runs the length of Ratchadamnoen Road to the iconic Wat Phra Singh temple.
What to buy
Here, you’ll find everything from sarongs to shoes, as well as handicrafts made from paper, wood and silk. There are even street vendors specialising in foot massages; you can get a 30-minute session for about THB70 (US$2) when you tire of shopping.
What to eat
Refuel with local bites like pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles) and modern snacks such as waffles and French fries.
Opening hours
Every Sunday, from 4pm to midnight.
Ratchadamnoen Rd
Medan Niaga Satok, Kuching
The market
This bazaar was originally located on Satok Street, with locals selling fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. In January 2013, it was relocated to a more spacious complex called Medan Niaga Satok, but remains one of the liveliest markets in the city.
What to buy
Handicrafts like bracelets, souvenirs like T-shirts, and produce such as wild honey. There’s a range of edible treats on offer, too, including dabai (an exotic fruit that bears a resemblance to black olives).
What to eat
Apam balik is a sweet pancake filled with peanuts and sugar. Other street snacks on offer include a variety of kueh (a catchall for cakes usually made from rice) and sugarcane juice.
Opening hours
Timings aren’t fixed, but the market is generally open from morning till noon on Saturdays, and till 3pm on Sundays. Some stalls stay open until late.
Jln Matang Jaya
SEE ALSO: 7 festive Christmas markets around the world to visit
This article was originally published in the July 2017 issue of Silkwinds magazine
