Embrace Bhutan Cultural Tour
Thimphu | Bhutan
08 Nov 2019 | Fri
Day 02 of 13
Centenary Farmers Market Thimphu
Thimphu’s Premier Farmers Market
Next on our agenda was visiting Centenary Farmers Market in Thimphu. This premier four-day grand market operates Thursday through Sunday of each week.
The Centenary Farmers Market officially opened in October of 2008 and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck.
Large Market Facility Located in Heart of Thimphu
The market is located in a large open-air, two-story building that provides around 400 stalls for local farmers (from throughout Bhutan) selling their fresh fruits, vegetables, dried meats and fish, cheese and butter, herbs and spices, incense powders, flowers, dried grains & cereals (rice, ground wheat, and maize), doma-paney (betel nut and leaf).
The first floor of the facility is mostly imported foods from India with the second floor being dedicated to local Bhutanese farmers/sellers. When we arrived, we first walked through the dry goods section and then made our way to the second floor. The Bhutanese market on the second floor is separated into different sections such as dry goods, grains and cereals, local farm produce, livestock products, and vegetables.
We enjoyed walking through the different sections of the market and interacting with the local vendors. Our wonderful guide Tashi Topden did a great job covering the history and background of the market, market items, vendors (farmers and local shoppers), and how they all interact within the local Bhutanese culture. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Centenary Farmers Market in Thimphu.
Riverside Market
We did not get a chance to visit but across from Centenary Farmers Market, you can cross over a beautiful covered footbridge to reach additional shopping at Riverside Market. Here you will find handmade Bhutanese and Tibetan crafts, various clothes, garments, and shoes.