The “Scotland of the East”, Shillong is a wonderful destination in India to explore picturesque natural attractions, spectacular landscapes, and rich culture and heritage. For backpackers, Shillong is one of the best places to explore and experience a lot. When it comes to shopping in Shillong, many fascinating things and products look unique and hold the specialty of the location. From its famous handwoven shawls to bamboo products, everything depicts its uniqueness. So, let’s dive deep into the blog to know the best things to buy in Shillong.
Exploring Shillong: 12 Must-Have Souvenirs
1. Handwoven Shawls:
Handwoven shawls are the most common thing to buy in Shillong known for their exquisite styles and patterns. Handwoven shawls of Shillong are crafted using traditional techniques. The patterns and intricate works of the shawls depict the rich culture and heritage of the place. Especially, the designs of nature, historical significance portrays, and tribal symbols look authentic and attractive.
Handwoven shawls are mostly made by Khasi and Jaintiatribesand they use the best local wool, cotton and silk for the making. For festivals, occasions, and events, these shawls suit best to wear and gift to others.
2. Meghalaya Tea:
Meghalaya Tea is the best product to bring with you especially, for tea lovers. Many places in Meghalaya are known for their rich tea cultivation. In Shillong, you can buy different flavours of tea like green, white, black, and oolong.
The quality and freshness of tea available in Shillong are just perfect and authentic. A very good thing about Meghalaya tea is most of the producers are following the organic process without adulterating.
3. Musical Instruments:
Shillong’s indigenous musical instruments are worthy things to buy. They are made locally using bamboo, tree trunks, and other products. Music lovers, who are passionate about music can buy the famous musical instruments of Shillong.
The best musical instruments can buy here are Tangmuri, Duitara, Nakra, Duitara Ksing, Dhuitlang, and Ksing Kynthei. For folk music and cultural events, these musical instruments are widely used in Shillong.
4. Artworks and Paintings:
Being home to many indigenous tribes, here you can see different paintings and artworks of tribal people. The paintings showcase the lifestyle of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes, and their culture stands as major attractions.
Besides, different paintings and artworks of beautiful landscapes and nature of Meghalaya look attractive to buy. These kinds of portraits are must-buy things to decorate your home with beautiful artwork.
5. Handmade Crafts:
For handmade crafts, Shillong is the best place to find a large number of varied handmade products. Starting from bamboo products to textiles, fabrics, jewellery, pottery, ceramics, etc different kinds of handmade crafts will be available in Shillong.
Things like bamboo-made lampshades, furniture, decorative items, pottery-made vases, pots, decorative figurines, and wood carvings are the best handmade crafts in Shillong. Simply, you feel helpless to find what to buy, and that huge variety of products will make you confused.
6. Local Spices:
Shillong’s rich biodiversity and the land produce a wide number of spices. Besides the good taste and aroma, these spices add medicinal value to our food. Here you can buy different locally cultivated spices, which are rich in quality and freshness.
The best spices to take back to your home are black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom, etc. From local markets, spice shops, and local farmers, you can buy these spices.
7. Shillong’s Jewelry:
Shillong’s handmade jewelry is one of the best things to buy here. They are quite famous for their intricate detailings made of silver, beads, shells, and semi-precious stones. The designs and vibrant styles of jewellery look very authentic and special.
For ceremonies, weddings, and cultural events, Shillong’s jewellery suits best. Especially, the traditional designs inspired by tribal patterns, flora, and fauna are worth buying jewellery in Shillong.
8. Organic Products:
For different organic products, Shillong is quite famous. In recent times, organic farming and practicing have been widely followed by the locals of Meghalaya.
Here you can shop for different organic products like organic tea, honey, spices, handmade soaps and cosmetics, textiles, fruits, and vegetables. Whatever may be you want, you can find the best organic produce in Shillong.
9. Tribal Artifacts and Antiques:
Shillong is very popular for tribal artifacts and antiques to buy. A huge population of tribals is getting livelihood from the produce of handmade crafts and artifacts. Here you can buy different tribal artifacts and antiques, which look very attractive and unique.
The designs and patterns speak about the tribal lifestyle and rich flora and fauna. The best tribal artifacts to buy here traditional attires, bamboo products, handcrafted jewellery, sculptures, woodcarvings, pottery, tribal masks, ornaments, and textiles made of natural fabrics.
10. Bamboo Products:
Wherever you go in local markets in Shillong, you will find different bamboo products. Very few leave Shillong without buying bamboo products. Such a famous thing to buy here. You can shop for beautiful bamboo handicrafts, furniture, musical instruments, textiles, etc.
Whatever you want to buy here for home decoration, kitchenware, and souvenirs, you can find those things in bamboo-made. An unlimited number of bamboo variety products will be available in Shillong.
11. Herbal Medicines:
In Shillong, you can find different herbal medicines and remedies to treat common health issues. Here, Khasi traditional medicine is very famous, they use different medicinal plants and herbs to treat health issues like fever, cold, skin, and digestive problems.
Herbal teas and spices will also be available here. We can use these herbal medicines to boost our immunity and treat common issues without using modern medicine.
12. Handmade Paper Products:
Shillong local markets are quite famous for handmade paper products. Here you can search for unlimited handmade paper stationery like journals, notebooks, greeting cards, diaries, etc. The paper products with pressed leaves, motifs, and flowers with unique styles look very attractive.
Besides, art prints, handmade home decor products, wall hangings, photo frames, etc different handmade paper products will be available to shop.
It is all about the famous and must-buy things in Shillong. From organic produce to beautiful handicrafts of Shillong, everything is worth buying. Whenever you are on a trip to Shillong, never forget to check this list. Enjoy the beauty of Shillong and bring back some souvenirs with you as a token of the beautiful memories you made in Shillong.
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