Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cheese-heads desperate for a lactose fix can try the Dunya restaurant for Nepali-made
'yak' (actually
dri,
or female yak) cheese by the half-kilo.
There are now dozens of trekking shops on Beijing Donglu and Danjielin Lu, though
make sure you can tell the difference between the real McCoy and the Chinese-made
knock-offs.
Dropenling
HANDICRAFTS
This impressive nonprofit enterprise aims to bolster traditional Tibetan handicrafts in the
face of rising Chinese and Nepali imports. There are two shops; a main showroom in the
Danjielin Lu; 10am-7pm)
next to Lhasa Kitchen restaurant. Ask about the 90-minute artisan
walking tour of Lhasa's old town (¥150 minimum for up to five people).
Products are unique, of high quality and employ traditional techniques (natural dyes,
wool not acrylic etc) updated with contemporary designs. Artefacts for sale include woolly
carpets (US$300) from the Wangden region of southern Tsang, Tibetan aprons, leather ap-
pliqué bags, cuddly toys and impossibly soft yak cashmere scarves. Prices are fixed, with
proceeds going back to artisans in the form of wages and social funds. Foreign currency
and credit cards are accepted (the latter with a 4.2% fee) and it can arrange international
shipping.
Snow Leopard Carpet Industries
CARPETS
(, Xuěbào Tǎnyè
MAP
139 8901 0068;
snowleopardcarpet@yahoo.com
;
2
Danjielin Lu)
This tiny place sells a collection of high-quality carpets and yak-wool blankets at fixed
prices. At around ¥160 per sq ft, a 4ft by 6ft carpet costs around US$600. Credit cards are
accepted and staff can arrange delivery abroad. Ask for friendly English-speaking Phurbu.
The company uses some profits to fund a local orphanage. If you are serious, ask to see the
warehouse a short drive away.
Tibet Lhasa Carpet Company
CARPETS
(, Lāsà Dìtǎn Gōngsī
MAP
632 6225;
www.tibetzt.com
; 24 Jiangsu Lu)
