Walking Chor Bazaar, Mumbai: Brass, Tools, Old Signs, and Unexpected Treasures

I went to Chor Bazaar in Mumbai—often nicknamed the city’s “thieves market.” In reality, it’s less like one single flea market and more like a living maze of tightly packed specialist streets. What surprised me most was how quickly the atmosphere changes: take one wrong turn and the entire lineup of shops shifts. One lane feels like a furniture district, the next is full of repair workshops, metal hardware, appliances, tools, and interior parts—then suddenly you hit a pocket that looks more like a traditional antique-and-vintage street.

Rather than endless “antique shops,” it feels like clusters of practical, trade-focused stores that happen to spill into old things. That’s exactly what makes it fun to explore. You’re constantly seeing objects you’ve never seen before, and the joy is in the digging: inlay-decorated boxes, heavy brass trays, mysterious figurines, old tins, and signage that looks like it came from another era. It’s the kind of place where you catch yourself thinking, “If I had a shop or a studio, I’d want this sitting on a shelf.”

Another nice surprise was the people. I expected the vibe to be more aggressive, but many shop owners were unexpectedly friendly, and some places were totally fine with photos (as long as you’re respectful and ask first). Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, Chor Bazaar is genuinely worth it as a walk—an area where the street itself is the attraction. It’s chaotic, noisy, and messy in the best way, and just wandering around is entertaining on its own.

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I lived in Chuuk, Micronesia for two years. I went to many remote islands and did a lot of diving. I communicated with the local people and had invaluable experiences. These videos are compilation of my photos and videos.

Federated states of Micronesia (FSM)
Micronesia is consisted with Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae.

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