Best Souvenirs to Bring Home from Bhutan

If you’re dreaming of taking a little piece of Bhutan back home with you, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Bhutan’s souvenirs are steeped in its culture, artistry, and spiritual heart, so you’ll find plenty of meaningful treasures beyond the usual tourist fare. Here’s a list of the best Bhutan souvenirs you might want to pop into your suitcase after a journey through the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

1. Handwoven Textiles

Bhutanese handwoven fabrics, whether in the form of scarves, stoles, or full kira and gho pieces, are a true testament to the country’s weaving heritage. Look for intricate patterns crafted on backstrap looms by local artisans.

2. Prayer Flags

Colourful prayer flags are strung everywhere in Bhutan, carrying blessings on the wind. Bringing home a set lets you share a bit of that peaceful spiritual energy in your own garden or balcony.

3. Thangka Paintings

These exquisite Buddhist scroll paintings depict deities and mandalas and are a beautiful, deeply symbolic artwork to hang at home.

4. Prayer Wheels

Miniature hand-held prayer wheels, inscribed with sacred mantras, are a portable way to keep the spiritual practice alive wherever you are.

5. Bhutanese Jewellery

You’ll find unique silver, turquoise, and coral jewellery inspired by traditional Bhutanese styles, perfect as a statement piece or gift.

6. Yathra Wool Products

Yathra is a traditional handwoven woollen fabric from Bumthang, often turned into jackets, bags, and blankets. These are warm, hardy, and rich in earthy patterns.

7. Handmade Paper

Bhutanese handmade paper, known as desho, is made from the bark of the daphne plant. It makes lovely stationery, journals, and cards with a rustic feel.

8. Incense

Bhutanese incense is used daily in temples and homes, crafted from herbs, barks, and spices according to ancient recipes. It’s a lovely way to bring back the fragrance of Bhutan.

9. Wooden Masks

Traditionally used in masked dances during tshechu festivals, these hand-carved masks are vivid, fierce, and wonderfully artistic, adding a dramatic flair to any décor.

10. Butter Tea Cups 

If you’ve tried Bhutan’s salty butter tea, you might want a traditional wooden or lacquered tea cup as a quirky and authentic keepsake.

11. Local Honey 

Bhutanese honey, especially from Bumthang, is prized for its purity and floral aroma. A delicious treat that’s easy to pack. 

12. Spices and Chillies

Bhutanese cuisine is famous for its bold use of chillies. Bringing home some local dried red chillies or spice blends is perfect for a foodie souvenir.

13. Bhutanese Postage Stamps 

Bhutan is famous among collectors for its quirky and artistic postage stamps, including 3D and even talking stamps. They’re a light, affordable souvenir with a great story.

If you’re browsing markets in Thimphu or wandering handicraft shops in Paro, you’ll see these gems everywhere, each holding a slice of Bhutan’s rich identity. Take your time, chat with the local artisans, and let your chosen souvenirs remind you of the magic of Bhutan long after you’ve returned home.

14. Bhutan Travel Guidebook

A Bhutan travel guidebook makes a brilliant souvenir in itself, packed with stories, maps, and insights that help you remember every monastery, valley, and festival you’ve visited. It’s also a lovely way to introduce your friends and family to Bhutan when you get home — giving them a glimpse of the magic that captured your heart. You can find popular Bhutan guidebooks like Bhutan Travelog in major stores such as CSI Market.

15. Cordyceps

Often called “Himalayan gold,” Bhutanese cordyceps (a type of medicinal fungus) is highly prized for its supposed health benefits, from boosting energy to improving immunity. Harvested sustainably from Bhutan’s high-altitude pastures, cordyceps are strictly regulated and usually sold through licensed outlets. It makes a unique, premium gift for health-conscious friends or even for your own wellness routine.

16. Phallus Souvenirs

If you’re after a cheeky, conversation-starting gift, Bhutanese wooden phalluses are iconic. Traditionally hung on homes to ward off evil and bring fertility, these bold, brightly painted symbols are found all over Bhutan, especially in the Punakha region. They’re handmade by local carvers, often with comic faces or dramatic colours, and make a light-hearted souvenir to amuse your friends or spark a story or two back home. You’ll spot plenty of these in roadside stalls, local markets, or at the Centenary Farmers’ Market in Thimphu.

17. Lemongrass Spray

Bhutan’s crisp mountain air is home to wild lemongrass, which is distilled into wonderfully fragrant essential oils and sprays. Locals use lemongrass spray as a natural insect repellent, air freshener, and even a mood booster. It’s light, practical, and easy to pack, making it a thoughtful gift or a refreshing souvenir for yourself.

18. Bhutan-themed T-shirts

Sometimes the simplest souvenirs are the most fun, and a Bhutan-themed T-shirt is a classic way to remember your adventure. You’ll find colourful shirts featuring Bhutanese symbols like the Thunder Dragon, prayer wheels, or dzongs, perfect for wearing on casual days or gifting to friends back home. Check out Chhom Bhutan for a wide range of cool Bhutan t-shirts.

Where to Buy Souvenirs in Bhutan

1. The Craft Gallery

Address: Building #69 (Gyalyum Charitable Trust), Norzin Lam/FJGP+X8W, Chubachu, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan Opening hours: Mon–Sat (10:00 AM–6:30 PM; winter until 4:00 PM; summer/spring/autumn 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)

• What to find here: Premium handicrafts, including handwoven textiles (kira, gho), thangka paintings, silver-and-gold jewellery, wooden masks, traditional carvings.

• Why visit: A beautifully curated gallery backed by the Queen Mother’s Gyalyum Charitable Trust—a great place for museum-quality Bhutanese art.

2. CSI Market (Flagship, Thimphu)

Address: Gongphel Lam (Below Startup Centre), Changzamtog, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan

• Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–7 PM; Sun 10 AM–6 PM 

• What to find here: A one-stop hub for “Made in Bhutan” products—incense, spices, yathra wool items, honey, dried chillies, prayer wheels—a lively mix of handicrafts and local produce. 

• Atmosphere: Bustling market feel with cafes, friendly vendors and occasional live events. Bring cash, best time is early morning.

3. Chhom Bhutan

Kawajangsa, Opposite to Zorig Chusum School, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan

• What to expect: High-quality heritage creations—Buddhist statues, dzī beads, desho handmade paper products, and fine jewellery. A smaller, more refined shopping experience.

• Where to look: Likely found near central Thimphu’s artisan district, boutique malls, or ask your guide/vendor—they’ll know exactly where to point you.

4. Other Notable Spots

• General Post Office (Thimphu) – Located on Dremtoen Lam, this is the place to pick up Bhutan’s iconic postage stamps, including talk­ing and 3D issues.

• Local Markets & Festivals – Explore weekend craft stalls by the river near Norzin Lam and at Centenary Farmers’ Market to find handmade bowls, prayer wheels, wooden cups, and seasonal goods.

Tips for Smart Shopping in Bhutan

• Best time to browse: Mornings and weekdays at CSI Market; mid‑day for The Craft Gallery (more space, fewer visitors).

• Payment: Cash is preferred—some boutique shops may accept cards, but it’s always safest to have ngultrum on hand.

• Bargaining: Prices are often fixed for curated craft pieces, though there’s modest room to talk at local markets. Be respectful—prices reflect talented craftsmanship.

• Ask the story: Bhutanese artisans love to share the meaning behind their work—don’t be shy to enquire about symbols, materials, and heritage.