| ight of new and different items on display and the | | | | Beautiful and unique jewelry can be purchased in |
| excitement of open air markets and colorful | | | | Asia for bargain prices. Because of India's strong |
| shops makes shopping in Asia a unique and fun | | | | diamond industry, diamond rings and earrings can |
| experience. Not only will you see goods that are | | | | be bought for less than half of what they would |
| different and hard to come by in the west, but | | | | cost in Europe. For pearls, you would pay about |
| you'll find prices much different than those you're | | | | five times more in Europe than in China for a |
| accustomed to, and different from prices seen | | | | strand of similar size and quality. |
| when traveling to other regions, like Europe. | | | | A massage in China will run about $10, where a |
| In China, clothing costs about four or five times | | | | similar massage in Europe will cost roughly $80. |
| less than in European countries. However, the | | | | The Chinese have practiced massage techniques |
| sizing system is much different than in the U.S. A | | | | for thousands of years, and a genuine Chinese |
| woman who wears a size medium in the United | | | | massage is extremely relaxing. Foot rubs are |
| States will find herself browsing the extra large | | | | popular as well, especially for travelers who have |
| section of the department store. It is wise to try | | | | spent long hours on their feet visiting temples and |
| everything on to make sure it fits before buying, | | | | climbing several stories of stairs in pagodas. |
| and carefully consider the size of any clothing item | | | | A tailor made silk shirt in Hong Kong costs around |
| you plan to purchase as a gift for someone else. | | | | $100. Beautiful silk fabric is available in Vietnam for |
| In India clothing can be had for about half the | | | | around $3-$9 a yard, depending on the quality. |
| price that it would cost in European stores, if you | | | | Good quality silk fabric in China costs about $4.00 |
| know where to shop. For example, on Mumbai's | | | | a yard. The fabric tends to be narrower than the |
| Fashion Street, surplus from the city's clothing | | | | standard 45 or 60 inch widths, so make sure to |
| factories can scooped up at bargain prices. | | | | ask how wide it is before purchasing. The method |
| It is best to purchase clothing made by famous | | | | of producing silk from the cocoons of silkworms |
| European designers in Europe. Taxes and duties | | | | was originally developed by the Chinese and |
| on imported goods in Asian countries tend to | | | | remained a secret for hundreds of years. |
| drive the prices up. An exception is Hong Kong, | | | | Eventually the technique became known and |
| where goods are not taxed and the prices are | | | | spread across Asia and Europe, but to this day |
| often comparable to the European prices. | | | | China remains the leader in producing silk. |
| Naturally, Asian goods of all kinds are considerably | | | | Remember that the prices listed above are |
| cheaper in Asian countries than in Europe. For | | | | guidelines. Prices will vary from shop to shop - |
| example, Chinese chops, which are name stamps | | | | expect to pay more at the store in the hotel |
| usually used with red ink, can be found in many | | | | lobby than the one tucked away on a side street. |
| shops catering to tourists for about $5. The | | | | Also, in most Asian countries it is customary to |
| purchaser's name is normally carved into the chop | | | | bargain over prices and your skill at bargaining will |
| at the store. The same item would cost around | | | | determine the price you ultimately pay for your |
| $40 outside of China. | | | | purchases. |