Laad Bazaar (Choodi Bazaar)

Travelers are free to visit Laad Bazaar independently, or you can visit as part of a half- or full-day Hyderabad tour that also includes Warangal Fort, the Charminar, and Mecca Masjid mosque. At the bazaar, keep an eye out for lac bangles, a Hyderabadi specialty handcrafted from an insect secretion (lac) and encrusted with dazzling stones. The market is also a one-stop shop for wedding items and accessories. Bargaining is expected, and visiting with a local guide can help greatly in getting good prices.

• Laad Bazaar is a must-visit for shopaholics and photographers.

• Remember to bargain hard, except for small items.

• Carry cash, as many of the shops and stalls here won't accept credit cards.

Laad Bazaar is located in the heart of Hyderabad’s Old City, right next to Mecca Masjid and the iconic Charminar and about a 10-minute walk from the northern ticket gate of Chowmahalla Palace. Driving here from the railway station takes about 15 minutes without traffic, but the journey can be considerably longer during periods of peak traffic.

Laad Bazaar is open from morning until well into the evening. Getting there when shops open can ensure good deals, as the first customer of the day is often considered auspicious and receives good prices. However, the market is at its most vibrant in the early evening, when temperatures are cooler and locals leaving work come out to shop.

In addition to bangles, Laad Bazaar sells colorful Indian wedding clothing and accessories. Here you’ll find traditional saris as well aslehenga cholis (long skirts usually paired with halter tops), bridal jewelry, shoes, men’s vests and jackets, delicate veils, and sparkly accessories including shoes and clutch handbags.