Myanmar Shopping

Where to Shop and What to Buy in Burma

While duty-free shops, department stores, supermarkets and minimarkets in Yangon offer a wide choice of products, both foreign and local with fixed prices, the real magic of shopping is to be found mainly in the well-known Bogyoke Aung San Market where shopping is fun and easy; and bargaining is acceptable.

Situated in the heart of Yangon, housing 2,000 shops with a wide selection of unique locally made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings,traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes are a few of the sought-after items.

The shops at Bogyoke Aung San market are open daily from 9.30am. To 5.00pm except on Mondays and gazetted holidays. Shopping amongst a range of locally produced articles can be a delightful experience.

Myanmar has a long tradition of crafting beautiful items.

Markets in Yangon

Bogyoke Aung San Market

First built in 1926, and situated in the heart of Yangon, there are nearly 1700 shops and stalls selling luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods.

New Bogyoke Market

Sells imported textiles, household appliances, medicines and general merchandise

Thiri Mingala Market

A large variety of fresh and salt water fish, the market also operates as a wholesale vegetable market

Best Buys

Bamboo Products

The bamboo should be properly matured, as new green bamboo can split and house insects feed on the dried sap.

Coconut Masks

Make for interesting decorations and come in all shapes and sizes.

Folk Dolls

Reflect the numerous national races in Myanmar and come in many different varieties.

Gold Leaf

Manufacture of gold leaf is concentrated in Mandalay as a cottage industry. Small pieces of gold bullion are laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches the gossamer-like thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. Sold in little packets and is used as an expression of reverence for temple images.

Gold Embroidery

Necessarily expensive, but some very fine pieces can be found.

Jewellery

Though design and workmanship is not generally up to international standards, there are some unusual and attractive pieces. Gold needs to be checked to make sure that it is not merely gold plated silver. All gem and jewellery purchases need to be made through a government-authorised dealer, who must issue an official receipt, which is required for export of such items.

Jewels

Quality of rubies, sapphires, and jade, etc. can be difficult to gauge. The advice of an expert or proper training is useful, but not always

Kalaga Embroidered Tapestries

These beautifully ornate creations make magnificent wall decorations when suitably framed, though quality can vary greatly and older pieces tend to look more aesthetic.

Lacquerware

This beautifully crafted product comes in many decorative and utilitarian forms, shapes, and colours. Older pieces can be particularly attractive.

Leather Crafts

Very attractive items from small purses to large hard wearing bags which will last for years.

Longyi

The men's traditional longyi is a much more comfortable alternative to tight jeans or trousers.

Shan Style Shoulder Bags

Attractive and practical.

Silverware

Older pieces are particularly attractive.

Stone Carvings

Though lovely pieces are available for the house or garden, shipping can be complicated and the advice of a local person is advised.

Teakwood Furniture

Tempting and beautiful pieces are made by local craftsmen and can be made to order. The advice of a local resident should be sought to check the regulations in the country to which the piece is to be shipped.

Traditional Puppets

Puppetry is a long respected tradition, and there are a wide variety of puppets and marionettes that make attractive decoration and unusual gifts.

Tribal Handicrafts

A very wide variety of silver, bone, wood, silk and cotton handicrafts are available, but are best purchased on location in the mountain areas.

Weaving

Handmade goods can be found all over the country, varying in fabric, design, and texture from region to region.

Woodcarving

Many pieces are available, both old and new, in different woods, including teak.

Note: The export of antiques is prohibited, and the export of loose gemstones, jewellery & silver requires an official certificate from the vendor. To avoid any confiscation of such goods purchased elsewhere (Thailand, for instance) they should be clearly indicated on customs declaration forms on arrival.

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