1.Haneda Airport Tokyo, Japan
Photo: Sanrio.com
This may seem a strange entry but any avid collector knows that their love know no bounds - whence there is merchandise, there they shall go. The Hello Kitty Japan store at the airport has one of the largest varieties of feline memorabilia anywhere in the world, and it's all officially licensed Sanrio products.
2. Marrakech, Morocco
Best for Middle Eastern bric-a-brac
Photo: Michael Runkel, Robert Harding World Imagery for Corbis
Since its starring role in Sex & The City 2, souks, the Middle Eastern equivalent of a market, have been gaining immense popularity. Shoppers can delight in finding everything from carpets to camels and love potions on sale. It's best to begin at Rue Souk Smarine before wondering off to Souk el Attarine for spice, pottery and textiles, and Souk el Kebir for leather bags, carpets and traditional Moroccan clothes.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Photo: Gavin Hellie, Robert Harding World Imagery for Corbis
The desert city is all about the extremes and the shopping equivalent of this is found at the Mall of Emirates. The largest mall outside of North America, there is more than 520 international prestige brand stores on the directory. To cap things off, there's also an indoor ski slope and a 5-star hotel within the premises.
4. Hangzhou, China
Best for Chinese arts and rare crafts
The stores on Xinhua Road are famous for artefacts reminiscent of the Ming Dynasty. The swatches of silk, clothes, artwork, and souvenirs are some of the best you'll find, and very reasonably priced. Other places selling similar products include Qinghefang Street (find silk parasols and the iconic big-eared Zhang Xiaoquan sewing scissors here) and Hangzhou Silk Town (encased between Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, Xinhua Road and Jiankang Western Road).
5. Manila, Philippines
Best for cultural artefacts and local furniture
The capital city of the Philippines is known for its book stores, handicrafts, antique shops and small local speciality shops focused on home decor. Ayala Centre is popular for designer casual wear. Shopping malls litter the city with one at every second block (at least), and if you're looking for souvenirs, these are your best bet.
Best for Chinese arts and rare crafts
Photo: Mike Kemp for Corbis
The stores on Xinhua Road are famous for artefacts reminiscent of the Ming Dynasty. The swatches of silk, clothes, artwork, and souvenirs are some of the best you'll find, and very reasonably priced. Other places selling similar products include Qinghefang Street (find silk parasols and the iconic big-eared Zhang Xiaoquan sewing scissors here) and Hangzhou Silk Town (encased between Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, Xinhua Road and Jiankang Western Road).
5. Manila, Philippines
Best for cultural artefacts and local furniture
Photo: Paul A. Souders for Corbis
The capital city of the Philippines is known for its book stores, handicrafts, antique shops and small local speciality shops focused on home decor. Ayala Centre is popular for designer casual wear. Shopping malls litter the city with one at every second block (at least), and if you're looking for souvenirs, these are your best bet.
6. Hanoi, Vietnam
Best for silks
The quality of silk that comes from Hanoi is lauded around the world, and the city also produces beautiful embroidered goods and ethnics crafts. Customised silk clothes can be made ready within a day and the best place to find these are at Hang Gai Street and Khai Silk. Try Hong Hoa Hang Dau Street for silver, antique bric-a-brac and local crafts.
7. Jaipur, India
Best for precious and semi-precious stone jewellery
As the mothership for jewellery of this sort, you'll find pieces at half the price of what you would normally pay in a high street store. While counterfeit products are common, reputable shops like Gem Palace can be trusted for silverware and precious stones. While there, don't miss Johari Bazaar for clothes.
Best for silks
Photo: Thinkstock.com
The quality of silk that comes from Hanoi is lauded around the world, and the city also produces beautiful embroidered goods and ethnics crafts. Customised silk clothes can be made ready within a day and the best place to find these are at Hang Gai Street and Khai Silk. Try Hong Hoa Hang Dau Street for silver, antique bric-a-brac and local crafts.
7. Jaipur, India
Best for precious and semi-precious stone jewellery
Photo: Thinkstock.com
As the mothership for jewellery of this sort, you'll find pieces at half the price of what you would normally pay in a high street store. While counterfeit products are common, reputable shops like Gem Palace can be trusted for silverware and precious stones. While there, don't miss Johari Bazaar for clothes.
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