Nepal

Bronze singing bowls. Made from an alloy of several different metals, these vessels produce a ringing sound when their rims are rubbed with a wooden pestle. That harmonic sound is said to soothe the body and encourage meditation. Buy bronze singing bowls in craft outlets in Lazimpat, Thamel, and Patan.

Thangka paintings. These extremely detailed Tibetan ritual paintings depict deities in their other-worldly environs. Pass up the earth-toned, tourist-marketed works for bright, vivid traditional paintings. Look for them in craft markets in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Lazimpat, Thamel, and Patan.

Handmade paper notebooks. Nepalese artists make lokta, or traditional, handmade paper, from the bark of the Daphne shrub. After being boiled, beaten, and sun-dried, the wood pulp is transformed into strong, textured paper used for notebooks, lampshades, greeting cards, and other decorative items. The best places to find these crafts are in Lazimpat, the Thamel tourist area, and the Patan tourist area.