Centenary Farmers Market Thimphu

Embrace Bhutan Cultural Tour

Thimphu | Bhutan

08 Nov 2019 | Fri

Day 02 of 13

Exploring Capital City Thimphu Bhutan
Bamboo Supported Construction Site Thimphu
National Memorial Chorten Thimphu
Bhutan Institute of Traditional Medicine
Bhutan Gross National Happiness (GNH) Centre
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
Lunch in Thimphu
Motithang Takin Preserve Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong Viewpoint Thimphu
Centenary Farmers Market Thimphu
Evening Lecture with Kuenzang Dechen

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.

Farmers Market where Thimphu residents mingle with villagers in an interesting urban and rural blend. People come from outlying rural villages to this market to sell vegetables and fruits, & other items including, chili peppers, spices, tea, butter, and cheese.

– Embrace Bhutan Travel

The Centenary Farmers Market officially opened in October of 2008 and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck.

“Located below the main town, near the Wang Chhu River, Thimphu’s weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan.”

“Farmers come from all over the country to sell their farm products in the market. With its wide assortment of fresh and organic produce, the Farmer’s Market has become a favourite spot for tourists and a recreational place for people from all walks of life. Across a cantilever footbridge, Kuendeyling Bazaam, to the west bank is a collection of stalls selling clothing, textiles and handicrafts.”

Tourism Council of Bhutan Centenary Farmers Market

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.