Pasar Bawah is Pekanbaru's most useful market for visitors, sitting close to the Siak River and old port area. It sells a mix of textiles, carpets, ceramics, snacks, souvenirs, and imported household goods, with enough bustle to feel like part of the city's trading life.
Go in the morning or earlier afternoon, bring cash, and bargain politely. It is a better place to feel Pekanbaru's commercial side than the city's modern malls, which could be almost anywhere.