Kashmiri Handicrafts: Pashmina, Papier-Mâché, Copper and How to Buy Well
Shawls, carpets, carved walnut, papier-mâché and engraved copper: what Kashmir's famous crafts are, where to see them made, and how to avoid paying for fakes.
Free trip plan
Plan your Kashmir trip with a local expert
Get a custom itinerary and price. We call you back fast.
In this guide ▼
Quick answerKashmir's best-known crafts are pashmina and Kani shawls, sozni embroidery, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mâché, walnut wood carving and engraved copperware. Several have GI (Geographical Indication) protection. Buy from reputable shops, ask for certification (especially for pashmina), and see crafts being made in Srinagar's old city.
Every visitor to Kashmir is offered a shawl within an hour of arriving, often by someone who knows a cousin with a showroom. Some of those shawls are extraordinary pieces of craft; some are machine-made polyester with a good story. This guide helps you tell the difference and enjoy one of the world's great craft traditions.
The crafts to know
| Craft | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pashmina | Ultra-fine wool from the Changthangi goat, hand-spun and hand-woven into shawls. Kashmir pashmina has GI protection. |
| Kani shawls | Woven with small wooden bobbins (kanis) following a coded pattern; a single shawl can take many months. GI protected. |
| Sozni embroidery | Fine needle embroidery, often on pashmina, in intricate floral and paisley designs. |
| Carpets | Hand-knotted silk or wool carpets, judged by knots per square inch. Kashmir hand-knotted carpets have GI protection. |
| Papier-mâché | Moulded paper pulp painted with fine floral designs, used for boxes, vases and ornaments. GI protected. |
| Walnut wood carving | Deep carving on Kashmiri walnut wood for tables, boxes and screens. GI protected. |
| Khatamband | Geometric wooden ceilings fitted from small panels without nails. |
| Copperware | Hand-engraved copper samovars, trays and wazwan vessels from Srinagar's coppersmiths. |
Where to see crafts being made
- Old city Srinagar: the lanes around Zaina Kadal have traditional copper shops and workshops. Walk them on our old city walk.
- Papier-mâché workshops: many in the old city welcome visitors to watch painting.
- Carpet workshops: ask a reputable dealer if you can see weaving in progress.
How to buy well
- Pashmina: ask for a certified product. Srinagar has a pashmina testing and certification facility, and certified shawls carry a label you can verify. Very cheap "pashmina" is almost always a blend or acrylic.
- GI labels: look for GI tags on carpets, papier-mâché and walnut work where available.
- Get a written bill with the product description, material and price.
- Take your time: no genuine craftsman minds you thinking it over.
- Commission traps: be cautious with shops a driver insists on; there is nothing wrong with saying no.
- Shipping: for carpets, ask for tracking and insurance in writing.
Small, genuine souvenirs
Not buying a carpet? A papier-mâché box, a small walnut-wood piece, a copper kahwa cup or a GI-certified pack of Kashmiri saffron all travel well and support local artisans.
Plan the rest of your Kashmir trip
- Srinagar's Wooden Architecture: Old Srinagar is a museum of wood: brick-and-timber houses, carved balconies, lattice windows and ceilings fitted without nails.
- Kashmiri Wedding Traditions: Days of singing, henna nights, an elaborate feast and rituals that differ between communities.
- The Pheran: A loose woollen gown that hides a fire pot, doubles as a blanket and has its own day of celebration.
- Kangri: A clay pot of glowing embers in a wicker basket, tucked under a woollen pheran.
- 15 Best Things to Do in Srinagar: From a sunrise shikara ride and Mughal gardens to the old city's shrines and a wazwan dinner: the best things to do in Srinagar, with tips from locals.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kashmir famous for in handicrafts?
Pashmina and Kani shawls, sozni embroidery, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mâché, walnut wood carving and engraved copperware.
How can I tell if a pashmina is real?
Buy from reputable shops and ask for a certified product with a verifiable label. Very cheap pashmina is almost always a blend.
Where can I see Kashmiri crafts being made?
In Srinagar's old city, especially the copper workshops around Zaina Kadal and papier-mâché studios.
Still have questions about your Kashmir trip?
Our Srinagar-based team answers on WhatsApp, usually within minutes.
