Mall Road (Gandhi Chowk), Dalhousie | Shopping in Dalhousie

Gandhi Chowk, Dalhousie Overview

Gandhi Chowk, or GPO, is the bustling and vibrant street of Dalhousie. Unlike other hill stations, Dalhousie doesn't have a mall road, so Gandhi Chowk is the Mall Road of Dalhousie. For shopping in Dalhousie, the town has several local bazaars and centres at Gandhi Chowk. One can shop for simple local souvenirs, woollen clothes and every-day treasures. There are a plethora of small shops to fulfil your list of gift items including The Tibetan Market, the Himachal Handloom Industry Emporium, Himachal Handloom and Crafts Centre and Tibetan Handicrafts Centre.

The Tibetan Market is a popular spot for shopping in Dalhousie, which offers a variety of goods including bags, dolls, carpets, purses and handicrafts. The Himachal Handloom Industry Emporium on Thandi Sarak is known for its traditional Kashmiri shawls which reflects the intricate and unique craftsmanship of the locals. All the major buildings and hotels are also situated at GPO.

Local women established Bhuttico in the mid 19th century which offers a wide range of the famous Kullu shawls, made from lamb's wool, angora and pashmina. Recently, they have also started making embroidered shawls that have gained popularity all over the country. The costs for these exquisite textiles start from INR 300 only.

Things to Buy in Dalhousie

There are plenty of interesting things to buy from Dalhousie such as Buddhist paintings, a variety of copper and silver 'diyas', carpets and various other souvenirs. Remember to buy the famous Tibetan carpets from the Tibetan Handicraft Centre. Moreover, there are local, quaint bistros scattered at different places where you can take a break from your shopping and enjoy some mouth-watering snacks or a cup of warm tea or coffee to re-energise yourself. There is a library for tourists to gain further information or to relax for a while.

Malls in Dalhousie

The Malls in Dalhousie are not your regular malls. Here, the malls mean a different thing altogether. The Malls were constructed in the early 1860s for horse carriages, promenades, dandies, etc. They have three levels and get steeper by the lanes which connect them to the local bus stands. They continue to remain the arteries which connect the whole town. Nearly 1000 feet above GPO, is the third and one of the highest mall which was built around the upper Bakrota hill.

Tips for Shopping in Gandhi Chowk

The place becomes crowded after 5:00 PM, so make sure you reach a bit early to fulfil your list. As a part of recreational activities, there are pony rides available too.