Kuching Shopping Tips by Wild_Orchid Top 5 Page for this destination

Indian Spice shop: Spice up your life!

Would you like to spice up your life? If you answer is YES, shops like these stock a wide range of exotic spices in rich colours. There are different types of curry powder or paste, chillies, tumeric, cinnamon, cardamon - you name it, they've got it ...and more.

To find them, just follow your nose - the aroma of the rich mix of spices on open display will lead you to them.

What to buy: Spices for those curries, marsalas and khurmas.

Address: Gambier Street

Theme: Other

India Street Pedestrian Mall: Textiles and other Bric-a-Brac

India Street is one of the oldest street of Kuching. In the early days, Indian merchants conducted their business here. Though most of the shops are now Chinese operated, there are still a number of Indian curry-houses, spice shops and textile merchants here.
Before air-conditioned shoppings began to sprout all over Kuching, India Street was the place to shop for shoes, clothings, textiles & foodstuffs.

The old -style architecture of the shops plus the very local ambience of the place makes it worth a stop.

What to buy: No high-end shopping here, but it's a good place to shop for cloth....if you wish to tailor your own dress ( anybody still do that?)

If your shoes are worn out from a walking tour, this is also the place to get some cheap shoes.

Directions: India Street is one street behind the river & opposite the old Court House. It's a 15 min walk from the Holiday Inn and Hilton hotels

Theme: Other

Main Bazaar, along Kuching Waterfront: Antiques, Curious & Native Handicrafts

The Main Bazaar (with shops dating back to 1864) along the riverfront is where you will find many interesting shops (tourists and female shoppers take note!) peddling antiques, curios and handicrafts.

If you like, you may put your bargaining skills to test here! There are Old and new antiques, Iban and Bidayuh carvings & handicraft, curios, masks, antique & ethnic jewellery (brass, copper and silver are the most common) and souvenior items.

There are also everyday items (such as plastic pails, wooden clogs, iron woks, Good Morning face towels, brooms, woven mats, etc.) at non-tourist prices.

Some years ago, I bought an interesting silver belt made out of old one-sen coins joined together. It can be worn as a necklace or a belt, and it does add an ethnic touch to my outfits.

What to buy: Iban and Bidayuh handicrafts & weapons
Silver Trinkets, Jewellery
Household decorations
Rattan & wooden crafts
Wooden Masks

What to pay: Need to bargain and shop around. No fixed prices.

Address: Main Bazaar, Along the Kuching Waterfront

Directions: Within walking distance of the 3 major hotels (Hilton, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza)

Theme: Local Craft

Satok Weekend Market: The Jungle Comes to You !

The Satok Weekend Market on Jalan Satok starts on Saturday afternoon when traders bring produce from their farms and continues on till Sunday. There is are also many unique ferns and plants, wild honey, wild orchids, traditional herbs (used as medicine) and fruits from the jungles.

Look out also for sago worms (considered as a delicacy by the natives), bidin (a type of green fern that is eaten as a vegetable), unique yellow and red pulpy and sticky jungle fruits, bright yellow egg-plant (yes it is edible!), various types of lime, sour sop and the occasional jungle durian which has red coloured flesh, and very thin pulp, and a unique, sharp soap-like taste (not like the normal cultivated durians).

Handicrafts and ethnic carvings are also available.

There are a wide variety of snacks and sometimes SNAKES in baskets! I'm not sure if these are meant to be eaten or to be kept as pets...

What to buy: Wild Orchids
Wild Honey
Jungle Fruits & Vegetables (such as Bidin)
Snakes (just a joke, although they ARE being sold here!)

Address: Jalan Satok, in Kuching town

Theme: Local Craft

Website: http://www.sarawaktourism.com