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Shopping In Yangon: Things To Buy For Your Yangon Day Tour

As the old capital of Myanmar, Yangon is also the largest city in Myanmar. Yangon has always been known as a seaside city with tropical scenery, it has always attracted tourists from all over the world. After each trip, the souvenirs featuring each country are the items many tourists seek the most. Here are the suggested things to buy for your Yangon day tour and some useful tips for tourists who want to spend time shopping in Yangon.

I. Things to Buy When Visiting Yangon
II. Best Tips for Your Shopping in Yangon

I. Things to Buy When Visiting Yangon

After each trip, souvenirs typical of each country are the items most sought after by tourists. In Yangon, the awe-inspiring golden splendor of sacred religious sites isn't the only impressive aspect for tourists. The city also has a diverse array of souvenirs that leave a lasting impression. So what to buy in Yangon? Here is a curated list of the top picks for those seeking the finest gifts.

1. Sand Paintings

Sand paintings stand out as the preferred choice of Yangon visitors because of their affordable prices and beauty. These works of art often depict diverse aspects of Burmese life, some even replicating the murals of Bagan temples. Creating sand paintings requires a meticulous process, with artists spending hours or even days sprinkling sand on the paintings. These exquisite creations are not limited to popular tourist spots but can also be discovered in remote temples seldom visited by tourists.

Enthusiasts of Burmese culture would eagerly embrace the opportunity to own a pair of sand paintings about the story of lifestyles, people, and Buddhism in the Golden Land.

The price is about $8 - 20 USD for a sand painting. Myanmar Culture Valley, People's Park, and the area opposite Shwedagon Pagoda's Western moat are among the locations where you can find these remarkable sand paintings for your shopping in Yangon. 

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2. Gem Paintings

One of the most attractive things to buy for your Yangon day tour is a gemstone painting, mainly crafted from rubies and sapphires. What makes these paintings different is the unique process of creating the product. Gems are crushed and mixed with colors to create exquisite works of art. This method entails breaking the gemstone into small particles, which are then sprinkled like pigment to create beautiful landscape paintings. These paintings are widely available in many markets in the city so you can buy them as ideal gifts for friends and family.

The art of gem painting

Visit the vibrant markets in Bogyoke, Yangon, or at Yangon's shopping malls to admire these works of art. You can buy them in the Gem Museum which offers a great opportunity to both admire and purchase these gems, while also encouraging bargaining. However, buyers should exercise caution, as the market also sees the sale of fake stones. It's advisable to choose a reputable store to buy your real item.

Gem Painting

3. Kalaga

What to buy in Yangon? A must-have souvenir from Yangon is the Kalaga, a tapestry woven with silver and gold threads that intricately narrate stories from Buddhist Scriptures. Kalaga, also known as a curtain, is crafted using the 'shwe gyi' do technique, involving gold thread embroidery on a base of silk, flannel, felt, wool, or lace against a backdrop of cotton or velvet indigenous to Burma (Myanmar). These tapestries are meticulously created by skilled weavers in various colors, sizes, and designs.

How to make a kalaga?

This traditional art form originated in 18th-century Mandalay. Kalagas often depict stories with religious significance, featuring themes such as astrology and animals such as elephants and peacocks. Depending on the complexity of the design and the size of each rug, the making process will take a long time, even lasting several weeks.

Kalaga in Yangon

4. Longyi - Traditional Burmese costume

The Longyi is a traditional Burmese costume, a cylindrical cloth worn by individuals around the waist, extending down to the feet and secured by folding over. Resembling a sarong or a long skirt, it can also be worn at knee length for comfort. This type of traditional costume is very suitable for the hot climate of Myanmar. Longyis come in various colors and designs, with male versions often featuring striped or checked patterns in vibrant hues like bright pink and dark green. Female Longyis typically showcase bright colors with intricate and unique patterns tailored to individual preferences.

For those looking to buy Longyis in Yangon, Bogyoke Aung San Market - one of the best places in Yangon stands out as one of the premier destinations. The market has many stalls selling a variety of items, from snacks to accessories and clothes. Visitors can buy themselves a traditional longyi skirt and blouse, and friendly sellers will advise them to find the right size when buying Longyis.

Longyi prices are based on factors such as material quality, design intricacy, and tailoring techniques. Ready-made longyis are available at markets for around USD 5, while those with intricate details and fine silk can cost over USD 100. Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon is widely regarded as one of the best locations to purchase longyis.

5. Thanaka

Thanaka is the name of a tropical plant commonly found in Southeast Asia. Residents typically collect the powder produced by mature trees and use it for skincare, sun protection, skin lightening (which aids in preventing skin aging), and acne prevention. Burmese people have employed Thanaka since ancient times not only for skincare but also as a cosmetic, influencing Burmese culture significantly. It is believed that Thanaka wards off evil spirits and bad luck while bringing good fortune to users.

You can easily find Thanaka in almost every market in Myanmar, and locating it in Yangon should be straightforward. There are two types of Thanaka available for purchase: either in powder/cream form or in the original wood blocks. Thanaka wood blocks are widely accessible and can be found in various markets in Yangon and it is one of the best things to buy for your Yangon day tour.

The prices of these blocks may vary, depending on the age of the wood and the location of the harvest. Typically, the more mature the log, the higher the quality and price.

Thanaka - Things to buy for your Yangon day tour

6. Wind chimes

Wind chimes resonate with the rich sounds of Burmese culture, commonly employed to attract attention during religious ceremonies. Believed to ward off evil spirits and usher in good luck, these wind chimes in Myanmar exhibit diverse styles, sizes, and decorations. The bell's surface often features symbols representing the city's historical landmarks and astrology.

Burmese wind chimes have gained popularity among tourists, offering a variety of sizes suitable for souvenirs. Adorned with depictions of historical landmarks or astrological signs inspired by Myanmar, these wind chimes come at different price points.

Smaller ones are typically priced at around 1,000 kyats (approximately 1 dollar), while larger ones may cost around 10,000 kyats (about 7 dollars). You can find these charming wind chimes available for purchase around the temples and pagodas in Yangon.

7. Tea

Tea is significant in Burmese culture, deeply intertwined with Myanmar's agricultural landscape dedicated to cultivating tea leaves. Embedded in the daily lives of the Burmese people, tea has become a cherished companion over the years. When exploring the country, one can easily observe locals gathered on sidewalks or in small vendors, savoring tea at any time of day. This cultural affinity with tea has led the Burmese to share this delightful beverage with visitors, often offering tea as a thoughtful gift.

Modest tea shops with plastic furniture throughout the country are a common sight. The preferred choice among locals is black tea with sweetened condensed milk. Additionally, Burmese cuisine showcases the versatility of tea, using tea leaves to create a unique salad, renowned as one of Myanmar's culinary specialties. While dried tea leaves can be purchased for home brewing, the taste may be somewhat unfamiliar to foreigners, particularly those from Europe, America, or Australia. To cater to diverse palates, opting for tea powder mixes available in convenient small sachets is advisable for your shopping in Yangon.

8. Lacquerware - Things to buy for your Yangon day tour

Traditional lacquerware, known as "Yun Hde," stands as one of Myanmar's most renowned handicrafts, characterized by its distinct and unique style. Myanmar boasts some of the world's most exquisite lacquerware, featuring designs dating back to the 10th century and even earlier, which continue to adorn everyday items. Intricate cups, bowls, and vases, each requiring a minimum of 7 months for production, are frequently showcased. These items serve various purposes, functioning as kitchenware, jewelry boxes, or elegant home decorations.

To ensure authenticity, carefully examine your purchase. Genuine lacquerware is intricately engraved with natural hues derived from sand, stone, and flowers, whereas counterfeit pieces are merely painted. A helpful guideline is that the stiffer the lacquer, the lower the quality, while greater flexibility indicates finer craftsmanship.

Prices range from USD 3 - USD 100 or more depending on the size and quality.

II. Best Tips for Your Shopping in Yangon

Discovering unique shopping experiences in Yangon offers diverse choices at reasonable prices for fulfilling shopping in Yangon.

Visit the famous Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon for a fun shopping experience where you can also pick up some great bargains. Remember to bring the official certificate for any jewelry when clearing customs.
Keep in mind that although bargaining is a customary practice in markets, significant discounts may not always be achievable, as sellers often adhere closely to their labeled prices. It is neither accepted nor feasible in convenience stores such as May Mini Mart or in upscale shopping.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted, although, for safety considerations, it is recommended to use cash for your things to buy for your Yangon day tour.
When engaging in shopping for cultural artifacts, it's essential to be aware that taking real old Buddha statues or archaeological artifacts out of the country is prohibited. For the transportation of jewels, possessing the official certificate is mandatory when passing through customs.
Given the absence of a centralized authority regulating trade standards, buyers are encouraged to meticulously assess the quality of products before making a purchase.
While most Myanmar markets typically operate on Sundays, they often close on Mondays, as well as during full moon days of the Buddhist Lent Festival, typically occurring in August and October.

Tips for shopping in Yangon

This is all about our recommended things to buy for your Yangon day tour. Yangon is a rich artistic landscape, offering a plethora of artwork suitable for gifting. Whether you seek a masterpiece or other intriguing items, Autour Asia is always ready to assist if you're unsure where to begin your Yangon shopping adventure.

We suggest you refer to the following circuit:
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