Must-Buys
Local specialities and unique finds

  •  The best place for one-stop shopping for visitors is the government-owned
  “emporium” (archaic Brit-icisms are a continuing feature of the Subcontinent)
  – Aarong, both because of the wide selection and because of best quality,
  all under one roof.  There are two outlets in Dhaka - one in Dhanmondi, one
  at the end of Gulshan.
•  Recycled old brass ornaments/functional stuff that has been rescued from
  ships that are broken in Chittagong (e.g. compasses, engine indicators, the
  full-forward/dead slow clock with a handle on top, old brass lights).
•  Newly made (but old looking) bronze castings of animals, figurines are also
  nice, if expensive. Available from arts/crafts stores at Gulshan-2 circle, DCC
  market.
•  Wood carvings (possibly imported from India?), in any of the craft shops (all
  much of a muchness, really)
•  Raw Bangladeshi silk, which resembles raw silk from Thailand but with slightly
  less choice than say in India or Pakistan (or indeed, Thailand).
•  Other crafts are very good, particularly terracotta, appliqué work, and
  “kantha” embroidery also very famous.
•  Dhakai saris (especially the jamdani’s) are renowned for quality and design -
  especially the cotton ones.  Cut them up and tailor, wear as is, or use for
  home decoration features, according to what takes your fancy!  The best
  quality-assured are found in the Aarong crafts outlets
•  For beautiful indigo and vegetable dyed fabric and clothes and saris, check
  out Aranya in Bonnani, and its sister-outlet, Jatra, on the top floor of the
  same building, which has wonderful craft objects.
•  For the best Bengali “mithai” (sweets), stop off at Central’s Premium Sweets
  at the Gulshan 2 circle on the second floor. Great pistachio sondesh which
  they will pack for air travel if you encourage them nicely.

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