Gemstones, carpets, antique furniture, handicrafts, fabrics, spices...the emporiums of Delhi are filled with a treasure trove of goods from the far corners of the Indian subcontinent. The intrepid will head for the rambunctious chowks and alleyways of Old Delhi, while the more cautious will stick to the well-trodden round of Connaught Place and the orderly state government handicrafts emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, with perhaps an excursion in the direction of Hauz Khas Village, Sunder Nagar Market, and the shopping enclaves of South Extension and Chanakyapuri's Santushti.

The most central of the government-run handicraft centres is the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, on Janpath, which is well stocked with a wide assortment of handicrafts as well as textiles and jewellery. On Baba Kharak Singh Marg, there is a long line of fantastic state emporiums, from Himachal Pradesh to Tamil Nadu, which stock quality items at fixed prices. Give yourself a few hours to peruse the many shops here. Located in south Delhi, Hauz Khas Village has a centralised collection of furniture and art shops, along with a hip selection of boutiques selling designer clothes in both Indian and Western styles.

There is no shortage of shops selling carpets in Delhi but the visitor would be well advised to exercise caution, by sticking to the reputable, fixed-price, non-commission establishments. It is advisable to shop around before making a purchase as quality and prices can vary dramatically.

Delhi's markets come crammed with goods, people and aromas. The colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk (see Key Attractions) are piled high with everything from nuts and spices to silks and essential oils, and are worth visiting for the spectacle alone. The wholesale Spice Market, on Khari Baoli, in the Old City, is where, for centuries, the culinary traditions of North Asia, China, Persia and the Middle East have worked their influence on local cuisine.

Sunder Nagar Market, off Mathura Road, is open Monday to Saturday and is a good place to search for antiques and jewellery, as well as boasting a tremendous variety of other knick-knacks and artifacts spilling out of the shops. This market also has two very good tea shops. One of Delhi's most prestigious markets, and a regular haunt of the city's ex-pats, is Khan Market, just south of India Gate, open Monday to Saturday. There are a number of excellent bookshops here as well as homeware and fashion shops.

Except in the government-run shops, haggling is usually the order of the day - it is the only way for shoppers to ensure they do not pay too far over the odds. Most shops tend to open around 1000 and close between 1800 and 1900. Some shops close on Sunday while others remain open daily. There is no VAT in India at present.