Photo: Wikimedia CommonsThe beating commercial heart of old Kathmandu, Asan is a six-way junction of narrow lanes crammed with spice traders, textile sellers, brassware and everyday goods. It has been a market for centuries and still hums with porters, rickshaws and shoppers from dawn. This is the place to buy fragrant Nepali spices, tea and lentils by the handful and soak up unfiltered local life. Go early in the day for the freshest produce, keep valuables tucked away, and be ready to haggle.