3 Best Shopping in Lembar, Indonesia

Handcrafted pottery is a specialty on Lombok, and you'll find some good examples in the village of Banyumulek, about halfway between Lembar and Mataram. Many houses have studios that you can visit to buy pottery directly from the artists; bargaining is acceptable. For a one-stop shop, try Rismunika Astuti art shop (62/3706–81559), off the main road into Banyumulek; they will even ship purchases abroad. Bring cash as many stores don't take credit cards.

Just north of Mataram and about half an hour from Senggigi, this art market specializes in traditional handicrafts from Lombok as well as artisan products from regions throughout Indonesia, including the traditional woven cloth called ikat. Wooden products are a particular specialty of Lombok, often decorated with an inlay of mother of pearl known as cukli. This area is also the source of wooden masks and furniture you'll see throughout Indonesia. Be sure to bargain for the best deals.

Pearls are a relatively good deal on Lombok since golden South Sea pearls are cultivated at farms in Lombok's west and southwest. Head 2 km (1.2 miles) south of Mataram, where you'll find rows of shops selling pearls on the main road heading west from where Jalan Gajah Mada meets Jalan Sultan Kaharudin. Most shops are open Monday to Saturday. (You can also buy cheaper freshwater pearls, usually from China, and often touted on the beaches.)