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ON THE MARKET Hunt out great bargains at these colourful markets
Laad Bazaar, Hyderabad THE MARKET One of Hyderabad’s oldest and largest markets, Laad Bazaar is located in the shadow of the city’s iconic Charminar monument. WHAT TO BUY The market is best known for its bangles, which are available in a vast array of colours and styles. Other items worth picking up include silverware, pearl necklaces and ittar, an essential oil made from botanical sources. WHAT TO EAT Street snacks include samosa (a deep-fried savoury pastry with a potato filling) and crisp sweet-salty Osmania biscuits (named after the last ruler of Hyderabad). OPENING HOURS Daily, from 9am (noon for some shops) to 11pm. Char Kaman
1591 THE YEAR IN WHICH THE HISTORIC CHARMINAR WAS BUILT
Wu Kuai Shi Market, Chengdu
Words by SAMANTHA DAVID; Photos by GETTY IMAGES (Hyderabad and Kuching) and ALAMY STOCK PHOTO (Chengdu spices)
THE MARKET This wholesale spice market beside the Chengdu North Railway Station is lined with burlap sacks of peppercorn and other spices like cumin and coriander – staple ingredients of Sichuan cuisine.
OPENING HOURS Daily, usually from noon to evening. North Second Ring Rd, Jinniu District
50,000100,000 THE HEAT UNITS OF SICHUAN PEPPERS, ACCORDING TO THE SCOVILLE SCALE (WHICH MEASURES THE PUNGENCY OF CHILLI PEPPERS)
WHAT TO BUY Stock up on packets and bottles of dried Sichuan pepper. Several vendors also sell artisanal pixian doubanjiang (chilli broad bean paste).
Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai THE MARKET Also known as Walking Street, this market is a showcase of local skill and craftsmanship, with many vendors making their own wares by hand. Starting at the famous Tha Phae Gate, it runs the length of Ratchadamnoen Road to the iconic Wat Phra Singh temple.
WHAT TO EAT Try pao cai (pickled vegetables) like cabbage and long beans, cooked with assorted spices.
WHAT TO BUY Here, you’ll find everything from sarongs to shoes, as well as handicrafts made from paper, wood and silk. There are even street vendors specialising in foot massages; you can get a 30-minute session for about THB70 (US$2) when you tire of shopping.
WHAT TO EAT Refuel with local bites like pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles) and modern snacks such as waffles and French fries. OPENING HOURS Every Sunday, from 4pm to midnight. Ratchadamnoen Rd
1km
THE APPROXIMATE LENGTH OF THE ENTIRE MARKET
FOR MORE ON THE MANY MARKETS TO BE FOUND IN THE REGION, VISIT SILKWINDSMAGAZINE.COM
Medan Niaga Satok, Kuching
WHAT TO EAT Apam balik is a sweet pancake filled with peanuts and sugar. Other THE MARKET This bazaar was originally located on Satok street snacks on offer include a variety of kueh (a catchall for Street, with locals selling fresh produce like fruits and cakes usually made from rice) vegetables. In January 2013, and sugarcane juice. it was relocated to a more spacious complex called OPENING HOURS Timings Medan Niaga Satok, but aren’t fixed, but the market is remains one of the liveliest generally open from morning markets in the city. till noon on Saturdays, and till 3pm on Sundays. Some stalls WHAT TO BUY Handicrafts stay open until late. like bracelets, souvenirs like Jln Matang Jaya T-shirts, and produce such as wild honey. There’s a range of edible treats on offer, too, including dabai (an exotic fruit that bears a resemblance to THE APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF YEARS THE MARKET HAS black olives). BEEN IN OPERATION
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