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What else should I be looking out for? Carpets gold and leather in the Middle East

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What else should I be looking out for? Carpets, gold and leather in the Middle East, spices in Thailand and India, textiles and blankets in South America, jewellery in Mexico, and local woodcarvings in Africa. In Hong Kong, there are separate markets for just about every specialisation, including a small covered jade market at the junction of Jansu Street and Battery Street in Yau Ma Mei. Jade is highly prized by the Chinese; many believe it wards off kidney disease and brings good luck. Some markets are best visited just for the spectacle, such as the Pak Khlong flower market held along the banks of the Nam Chao Phraya river in Bangkok. This is the largest flower market in the city, and the air is filled with the aroma of the thousands of exotic flowers on sale.

So, where else are they held? Some are simply disorganised street markets, packed with makeshift stalls lying cheek by jowl. India is virtually one huge living market, with impromptu stalls wherever there is someone willing to buy something. Others are more organised and are often held inside specially constructed buildings. However, one of the most spectacular examples of market architecture is the Bazaar Quarter of Istanbul.

With its twisting passageways and exotic Byzantine architecture, the bazaar dates from 1461 when it was built under the rule of the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Beginning at Beyazit Square, under the shadow of the Beyazit Mosque (the oldest in Istanbul), the first bazaar you'll encounter is the Booksellers' Bazaar (open 8am-8pm daily). Beyond lies the Grand Bazaar, or Kapah Carsi, a labyrinth of vaulted passages crammed with some 4,000 shops, stalls, banks, Turkish baths, mosques and caf? The market is open every day except Sunday, 7am-7pm.The focal point is the Old Bedesten area, where you'll find stalls specialising in antiques and precious metals – around 100 tonnes of gold are sold in the bazaar annually. Some of the largest crowds are also drawn by the carpet auctions held every Wednesday at 1pm in the Sandal Bedesten, the main textile-trading centre. Saturday is also a good day to go to market, as this is when the residents of Istanbul do their weekly shopping.For further information, contact the Turkish Tourist Office (020-7629 7771; ).

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