Top 10 Souvenir from Nepal: What to Bring Home from Your Travels

In the lap of Himalayas, there is the beautiful country named Nepal. The panoramic beauty that it holds has something to do with culture and warm hospitality. Often, one finds quite interesting mountain scenery, temples, and traditions while exploring this country.

While exploring the country, you come across scores of unique things you can bring home. Following is the list of top-ten Souvenir from Nepal that will let the memories of your travel stay for quite a long period with you.

Pashmina Shawls: A Bit of Opulence

A pashmina shawl speaks volumes about luxury and grace-as any connoisseur will vouch for-made as it is from the fine wool of the Changthangi goat. The softness and warmth a pashmina shawl can provide are simply unmatched.

It takes weeks to make an original pashmina. Skilled artisans weave it into beautiful designs, often delicate with traditional Nepalese patterns and motifs. You can find the Pashmina shawls in the market places like Thamel(Kathmandu) and Lakeside(Pokhara).

You can go shopping when you arrive in Kathmandu for various purposes including Kathmandu Sightseeing. This shawl is a Souvenir from Nepal that you should buy once.

How to Choose the Perfect Pashmina

While choosing a pashmina, make sure you end up with quality. The better the quality of your pashmina, it will feel lighter, and it’s warm-mild pashmina which you can wear at the chilling mountain evenings and style night out.

The Pashmina shawls come in a diverse range of colors from opulent jewel tones to pale pastels. Don’t be shy to ask the seller what it’s made of – a real pashmina is well worth your money.

Care of Your Pashmina

To preserve it’s unique beauty, you should store it in a cool and dry place It can be displayed in direct sunlight, but that may also cause it to fade. Hand wash in mild cold water with a normal detergent. Let it lie flat to dry. Take good care so that your shawl remains a treasured possession for years.

Thangka Paintings: The Art with Spiritual Importance

Thangka painting has its origin in Tibetan Buddhism. The art usually comes in the form of beautiful scroll paintings. Usually, themes are compounded of deities, mandalas, and spiritual knowledge in these various works of art.

Each thangka is a work made with natural pigmentation-usually featuring gold accents-and at the same time serves as an ornament and an implement for spiritual expression.

Most of the tourists who come back from the long trek in the Upper Mustang trekking Trail, buy the Thangka paintings. According to them, this painting is one of the unique souvenirs in Nepal to buy.

Craftsmanship Behind Thangka

It even takes years of training to be able to create a thangka. An artist studies even the minutest details in Buddhist iconography to represent all kinds of different figures and signs. Most thangkas depict some sort of storytelling in their visual representation of the most important stories to be represented in Buddhist teaching.

Selecting Your Thangka

First of all, size and subject are important factors. Large thangkas help focus the eye in a room, and small thangkas easily fit into personal space. Authentic and well-crafted thangkas are usually plentiful in details and colors. Some places offer framing services that can enhance your new purchase’s presentation.

The Spiritual Connection

With the thangka, you learn more about Buddhist culture than perhaps you ever knew. People often keep quiet minds, even mindfulness, when they have the presence of a thangka in the home. If you are one to meditate, then you may use the thangka as a focal point during your meditation sessions.

Singing Bowls: Sound and Serenity

Singing bowls are a type of musical instrument commonly used during meditation and healing ceremonies. They are made from different metals, and to create their resounding sounds, they may be struck or circled by a mallet.

Each one of them has its particular pitch, conventionally associated with specific properties of healing. Those who are spiritual seekers and love to go for spiritual tours like the Lumbini tour love this Souvenir from Nepal.

Benefits of Using Singing Bowls

Many of them use singing bowls to relax and focus their mind. As a result, the vibrations from the bowl clear the mind and center the thoughts hence a great tool to use when meditating. They are also popular during sound therapy sessions.

Selecting a Singing Bowl

The size and tone will dictate which kind of bowl you will settle on. Portable ones are much lighter, less cumbersome, and easier to work with, whether going to an outdoor picnic or traveling. Larger bowls produce a deeper sound.

Other people’s criteria would be the quality of craftsmanship or aesthetic appeal, as some of these bowls have beautiful designs. You might find that some shops can demonstrate to you what a singing bowl will sound like when it’s played. You might get a better sense of just what the actual sound will be once you make your purchase.

Applying Your Singing Bowl to Your Daily Life

The actual advantage of the singing bowl can be availed when it becomes a part of daily life. The bowl can be thought about, taken in any yoga session, or simply used in any work to build an ambient cool environment in the house. While performing daily chores, it can stop and reflect at any point in time as a soft reminder for the person.

Handmade Jewelry: Worn Art

Nepal is famous for its beautiful handmade jewelry. The accessories include silver, gemstones, and classical work. Each thing speaks a lot about the local culture, nature around, and religiosity. It’s great workmanship in everything from earrings to necklaces.

The machinery made things available in all the places. But the handmade things are unique souvenirs in Nepal to buy. You can go on cultural tours in Kathmandu Valley that take you to the shops where handmade jewelry is sold.

• Unique Choice of Jewelry

More eye can be given to the craftsmanship and design while buying the jewelry. While purchasing the jewelry, one should try to seek individual pieces of jewelry that can relate and speak to the buyer and his/her identity. Generally, silver jewelry contains turquoise or coral inlays which makes them very effervescent. Ensure that you take some time to visit the local craftsmen themselves and buy directly to support their efforts.

It will keep your jewelry nice if it is stored in a cool, dry place. Cleaning silver periodically with a soft cloth helps eliminate tarnishes, and it will also be aided if kept away from strong chemicals as well as excessive moisture. Good care can keep your jewelry a cherished reminder of your trip for years to come.

Wooden Crafts: Nature’s Artistry

From delicately carved statues down to beautifully carved boxes, wood carvings are an integral constituent of Nepali culture. The local artisans are very skillful with such items. Small figurines, masks, and small pieces of furniture are great choices.

Exploring wooden crafts is part of every cultural tour in Nepal. This Souvenir from Nepal remains throughout your life and keeps your memory safe.

• Quality Choices in Wooden Crafts

Quality of craftsmanship and design are probably the most significant things that one needs to look out for when buying any item of wood. Opt for individual pieces that say something regarding Nepalese culture and tradition. Most items are reflections of the artisan who made them, so every piece may be carrying its message related to culture.

Keep them away from direct sunlight. A moisture can also damage their beauty. Regular dusting and, from time to time, polishing with natural oils do much to enhance their appearance. Properly looked after, your wooden treasures will gracefully age.

Local Spices and Tea: A Taste of Nepal

With diverse geography, a range of spices can be available within Nepal. From fragrant spices to high-quality tea, everything can be brought back home to relive your travels. Some of the more popular spices include turmeric, cumin, and coriander which will enhance your culinary creations.

• Finding Tea in Nepal

Nepal is also famous for its teas, of which Darjeeling and Ilam are two of the most famous types. Teas can be bought loose-leaf or packaged. Many of the local markets have nice, handily-sized packets that are easily mailed home if you’re looking for something nice to give friends and family.

Combined local herbs and spices in some unusual ways form some interesting brews. This Souvenir from Nepal is popular in several countries.

Adding the fettle of Nepalese spices to your dishes can bring you back to your trips in Nepal like the Golden Triangle tour in Nepal, the Kathmandu sightseeing tour, or the Ilam Tea Garden tour.

One can make traditional dishes with spices or make different versions of his usual recipes. Using these tastes means one has something to give a taste of Nepal to friends and family.

Prayer Flags: Symbolic Gifts

One of the most colorful symbols of Nepalese religiosity is the prayer flags. Traditionally, they are set outdoors, sending all good wishes and compassion to all directions. On each flag, one would find mantras and symbols that represent the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space.

Prayer flags are a great Souvenir from Nepal to take home. While visiting the Monasteries on the popular trekking trails like Everest Base Camp Trekking trail, Annapurna Base Camp Trekking trail, or Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking trail, you can see several prayer flags.

These flags are available in the local shops in the Thamel, lakeside Pokhara, or somewhere in the shops of the region.

• Choosing Prayer Flags

Buy according to the size and design of the prayer flags. You may buy one set of flags, which would give more color to your homes or gardens. You can get hand-painted flags in many shops; thus, you can select flags with sayings that appeal to you.

• Displaying Prayer Flags

They are to be set up somewhere outside your place where they can flutter freely to bring the maximum effect. The positive energy is released in that area when the wind passes through it. It is one of the nice ways by which you can inculcate Nepalese culture into your life.

Handmade Paper Products: Eco-Friendly Keepsakes

Besides, Nepal is particularly well-liked for handmade paper, which is called lokta paper. It is made of the bark of the lokta plant. It is a strong and eco-friendly paper. The artisans make great-looking notebooks, cards, or journals that explain traditional craftsmanship.

It is an eco-friendly Souvenir from Nepal that you can buy in the marketplaces in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

When you have time before you return to your home from the Everest Base Camp Trek, Three Passes Trek, EBC trek with Gokyo Lakes, or any other trek in the Everest region, you can buy one. It is because the flights in Lukla may be delayed or canceled for weather reasons or over traffic. It will give you time for shopping.

• Selection of Handmade Paper Products

In selecting the paper products, opt for those with special designs or artwork. Many of them have beautiful illustrations or hand-painted details. Handmade paper products can be one of the best presents for your friends and family members as they allow you to give away a piece of Nepal.

• Using Handmade Paper

Use these handmade paper products to jot down some thoughts or to do some sketching-they add so much to your special tactile experience. On top of that, the products are good talking points, thus allowing you to share your stories of travel with others.

Yak Wool Products: Warmth and Durability

Besides all the above, what makes for great souvenirs in Nepal are items made of yak wool. It is thick and sturdy, quite alright for cold weather. Products range from blankets to scarves to hats and mittens reflecting the rugged beauty of the Himalayan region.

Yak wool products can be a great souvenir  to buy when returning from the treks like Annapurna circuit trek or the Everest Three Passes trek. These products can also be found in places like Thamel(Kathmandu) or Lakeside(Pokhara).

• Selection of Yak Wool Products

While buying merchandise in yak wool, feel and touch the quality of the fabric. Again, choose well-stitched products that can bear the shelling of many winters. Merchandise colors may be chosen in neutrals that go well with almost any outfit.

• Care for Yak Wool

Hand wash your yak wool products in plenty of cold water with a normal detergent. Do not wring; lay them out to air dry. This is how you take care of things that you want to wear and in style for years to come.

Local Artwork: A Reflection of Culture

One of the most beautiful souvenirs in Nepal when traveling is the local artwork brought home. Everything, from paintings to sculptures, speaks volumes about the talent of Nepali artists. Vastness in landscapes, life-like portraits, and abstract creations expressing a country’s very essence-things which truly will leave you spellbound.

In places like Lakeside Pokhara or Thamel, Kathmandu, you can find the shops where you can buy the Local Artwork. These places are the prime destinations to explore before heading towards any treks like the Mardi Himal trek, Manaslu Circuit trek, or Upper Mustang trek.

• Discover the unique artists

When buying art, try to look for local galleries, craft shops, and art fairs where you will be able to find emerging artists who have produced something special. You will add more meaning to a piece if you are buying it because you can relate to it.

• Displaying Your Artwork

Now, once you get back home, choose a special place for your artwork. It could be a focal point room conversation about your journeys. This might bring so much nostalgia and appreciation for the enriched culture of Nepal.

Final words

Nepal is a country with as much culture and creativity as there is. Each one of these ten keepsakes embodies your travels. Each  of them have a story to tell which sends an individual recall with the beauty of the landscape and the friendliness of its people.

Besides, you support the local artisans, and that is your way of sharing some of these beautiful experiences with your loved ones. This will remind you of Nepal and at the same time help the economy of Nepal. Take all the time to choose a thing that talks to you personally. Each piece will serve as a treasured memento, adding richness to your life for a long time after the journey is over.

May these remind you of your adventure as you pass from the markets into the tranquil landscapes of Nepal. Each one carries a chip of Nepal’s spirit and asks to be let into the world. Happy travels, and happy shopping!