EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Agra is renowned for its marble tabletops, vases and trays, inlaid with semi-precious stones in ornate floral designs, in imitation of those found in the Taj Mahal. It is also an excellent place to buy leather : Agra's shoe industry supplies all India, and its tanneries export bags, briefcases and jackets. Carpets and dhurries are manufactured here too, and traditional embroidery continues to thrive. Zari and zardozi are brightly coloured, the latter building up three-dimensional patterns with fantastic motifs; chikan uses more delicate overlay techniques.

There are several large emporiums such as the official-sounding Cottage Industries Exposition on the Fatehabad Road, which is well presented but outrageously expensive; it is one of the places you're likely to be taken to by a commission-seeking driver. Shops in the big hotels may be pricey, but their quality and service are usually more reliable. UP Handicrafts Palace, 49 Bansal Nagar, has a wide selection of marble; other state emporia round the Taj include UP's Gangotri, which has fixed prices. Close to the East Gate, Shilpgram is an extensive crafts village with arts and handicrafts from all over India, and occasional live music and dance performances.

Shopping or browsing around the Mall, MG Road, Munro Road, Kinari Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar and the Taj Complex is fun, but you need to know what you're buying and be prepared to haggle; you should also be wary of ordering anything to be sent overseas. Commission payable by shops to rickshaw- and taxi-drivers and tour guides inflate prices. You are advised never to let your credit card out of your sight, even for the card to be confirmed, and you should make sure that all documentation regarding the card is filled in correctly and fully so as not to allow unauthorized later additions. A large number of serious cases of credit-card fraud have been reported in Agra, even in some of the most popular tourist restaurants. A list of emporia against whom complaints have been lodged is maintained by the local police department.