The most unusual and intricately designed artifacts are available in Ladakh: enough to tempt the most disinterested shopper! The emporiums and Tibetan refugee markets are stuffed with priceless goodies: rubies from Burma, turquoise from Tibet, Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan along with the native thangka paintings. Wait! There?s more! Prayer wheels, Buddhist masks, silverware, cymbals with special religious motifs that are used during meditation, decorative copper and brass trumpets, chunky shell bangles worn by Ladakhi women and exquisite silver jewellery. Painted masks, hand-knitted woolens, and jewellery made from semi-precious stones or fake stones make good gifts. And don't forget apricot oil that the locals say is a potent pain reliever. Tibetan Market off Old Leh Road and Moti Market near the bus stand are the shopping hubs. Recommended shops are Ladakh Art Palace and Tibetan Handicraft Emporium on the Main Bazaar Road; Tibetan Handicraft Community Showroom in Choglamsar ; Cottage Industries Exposition, Ecology Centre and Women's Alliance in Changspa.