Monks, monasteries, prostrating pilgrims and yaks all come to mind when one conjures up images of isolated Bhutan. However, the last Himalayan kingdom offers a bevy of desirable finds around its bustling capital, Thimphu. Make time to ogle the hand-woven fabrics at the Textile Museum on Norzin Lam and marvel at the intricate mosaics inside the country's many Buddhist temples. For more tactile memories, visit the boutique at the ultra-chic Amankora Thimphu lodge (below; near Kuenga Chhoeling Palace, Upper Motithang, tel: 975 2 331 333). Women's blazers (HK$4,600 to $14,000) made from traditional Bhutanese textiles can liven up any outfit. Music fans will have fun blowing the elongated Tibetan horns (HK$1,100 to HK$2,000) while considerably more cash will buy a coral, turquoise and amber-encrusted silver treasure box (HK$40,000). Head down into town to the General Post Office (Chang Lam, tel: 975 2 322 381), which is a must-stop for philatelic visitors. It is also the only place to pick up a smiling monk key ring (HK$12) or a T-shirt (HK$78) emblazoned with the same enlightened one. Across the road, Lungta Handicraft (tel: 975 2 333 855) offers harmonious Bhutanese tunes on discs such as Ap Dawpel - Songs from the Master (HK$74), organic honey from east Bhutan (HK$29) and holistic incense sticks (HK$49) produced by the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services. Brimming with vividly hued weavings, Namgay Handicrafts (tel: 975 2 328 274) rivals even the Textile Museum with its hand-woven kira (HK$9,365 to HK$30,240), the traditional dress for women in Bhutan, and, for those less flush with funds, colourful backpacks (HK$146) made from local textiles. At Yak Handicrafts (tel: 975 2 335 606) shelves are lined with the Bhutanese symbol of protection, a wooden phallus (HK$127) painted ruby red. A more appropriate gift, perhaps, is a pin (HK$20) featuring King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk striking an Elvis pose. Serious collectors should head to Zambala (opposite Hotel Jumolhari, Chang Lam, tel: 975 2 331 376), which offers 50-year-old yak-wool dresses (HK$685 each) from Laya, near the Tibetan border, antique turquoise-embellished butter lamps (HK$880) and a stunning mandala mosaic table (HK$9,250) with carvings of dragons, elephants and the Buddha. For a night out on the town, pick up a stylish kira or kho (for men) at D'Signgay 1st Boutique (tel: 975 2 1763 1314), where model-turned-designer Sangay Choden also teaches first-time wearers the dos and don'ts of indigenous dressing.
