Skardu Bazaar is one of the best places in Pakistan to pick up genuine local handicrafts and semi-precious stones, if you know roughly what you’re looking at.
What to look for
- Semi-precious stones — Gilgit-Baltistan is known for aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline and other stones mined locally; quality and pricing vary enormously, so buy from established shops rather than roadside sellers if you want anything of real value
- Balti handicrafts — hand-woven shawls, caps (topi) and traditional wooden items
- Dried fruit — dried apricots, walnuts and mulberries make excellent, easy-to-pack souvenirs
- Pashmina and local wool products — genuine quality is inconsistent, so ask to see the weave closely before buying
Where to shop
Skardu Bazaar is the main hub for all of the above. For gemstones specifically, ask your guide for an established, reputable dealer rather than buying opportunistically — this is an area where quality (and price) varies dramatically.
A note on bargaining
Light bargaining is normal and expected in the bazaar, though prices for genuinely rare or high-quality stones are less flexible than for general handicrafts and dried fruit.