The city of Larkana, commonly known in history as the Garden of Sindh, is a place that is best experienced in its busy traditional markets. The bazaars of Larkana are not just trading zones as in modern malls but an exciting social experience in which the rich agricultural and craft history of the area is reborn. To experience a true Sindhia shopping culture, one would find it interesting to take a trip to these ancient thoroughfares and see the social life of the people in the region.
Shahi Bazaar
The Shahi Bazaar (Royal Market) is the main and the most vital market in Larkana located in the centre of the old city. It is a long, curvy street where shoppers come in large numbers to get anything including daily purchases, as well as party attire. Previously, the market was considered as a trading hub of brass and metalware, but currently, it is best recognized due to fabrics, footwear and ready-to-wear clothes. The Shahi Bazaar is also a busy place during the wedding seasons and days of religious celebration such as Eid where locals scramble to purchase the new unique designs and traditional clothing.
Dhak Bazaar
Dhak Bazaar is found very near the Shahi Bazaar and is usually considered to be the commercial hub of the ancient city, especially in its specialty artisan crafts. This market is the major destination in case you want the quality woody artifacts which are genuine and of good quality. Dhak Bazaar is known as the home of high quality teak woodwork wherein local furniture, finely carved wooden artifacts and ornaments are available which clearly depict the traditional Sindhi art and craft.
Resham Gali
The hub of textiles and fine needlework in Larkana is called Resham Gali (Silk Alley) as per its name. This small street is the ultimate destination to find gorgeous fabrics, gorgeous silks and most of all a famous Sindhi embroidery. The market serves the consumers who want to buy the traditional hand-stitched products such as colorful quilts (Ralli work), embroidered shawls and the popular traditional Sindhi caps (topis). Resham Gali is the place to go in order to bring home something of local craft work of unmatched quality and diversity.
Sonarki Bazaar
Sonarki Bazaar (Goldsmiths Market) is the special place where one can buy jewels. The main trade in this market is gold and silver, and conventional metal ornaments. It is a customary hub of Sindhi women seeking rather complex and even elaborate jewelry patterns. The craft in the area is also firmly embedded in the local culture and it is the best place where one can make high value purchases or enjoy the skills of the local goldsmiths.
Surahia Padhar Market
Surahia Padhar Market, which is situated in the older, highly densely populated area of the city, is a multi-faceted, multi-storey retail venue that covers the everyday needs of the nearby population. Since Larkana is a well-established agricultural area, this market is renowned because of the very fresh produce, such as vegetable, meat, and fish markets. Other than food, there is an enormous assortment of general merchandise here including handcrafted pottery and cookware, and local staples, spices, henna, and sacks of farm produce. It is an uncivilized, rawness of Larkana local economy.
