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