Mandalay Shopping

This large centre consists of two buildings from 26th to 28th Sts on 84th. Its the one stop shopping for Mandalay, where you can buy virtually anything you might need, from homewares, spices, fabrics, other practical items and fine gold jewellery and gems. Well worth a wander, and a very fragrant one it is!

I bought a couple of beautiful charcoal drawings from the stalls by U Bein's bridge. Although he who had the money on the day made himself very scarce for awhile, he had to resurface some time, if he was going to get me to leave! US$12 bought 2 gorgeous charcoal drawings of child monks - put away in my treasure chest!

The bridge is very very photogenic, and a popular theme for the paintings sold here as well.

On our way up to Madnalay Hill we saw this artist who was painting these black and white paintings with ink and a razor blade!! The price was 2000kyats (less than 2$) for 3 pieces, making it a definetly inexpensive decoration for someone's room. We bought several ones for our friends and us.
Later on we found out that they are popular all over the area as well, but as well in Bogyoke market in yangon (but more important if you know the artist)

If you're reaching the hill top near the sunset and the stall is about to close. Stay abit longer and you will get a better deal. It's because the stall keeper will offer you better price before they leave home. Or you can bargain with them also.

1 more image

If you want to experience claustrophic buying then this is the place for you. Its a large building with stalls and shops crammed together selling all manner of wares. We spent most of our time in the section where there was clothing,shan bags and lungis- talk about choice!

What to buy: Shan Bag - US$1.50
T-Shirts US$4
Blankets US$1-2

What to pay: US $ 2

This market is near the centre of town and is geared towards the local population. You can walk around the markets and not be bothered by people wanting you to buy.

The prices of the local goods are also quite reasonable.

There are a number of shops not in the main area on the rim which are also quite good such as an antique arts and crafts shop which sold a lot of bronze - see other shopping.

What to buy: Shan Bags
Lungis
Cotton blankets/Table cloths
Bronze Chinthes/Gnats

What to pay: US$1.50 for Shan bag/Lungi
US$20 for Bronze Chinthe/Gnat

I bought these beautiful bronze gnats in a shop that was on the outside of the markets in Pyin U Lwin. I wondered whether I would see something like these again (at a cheaper price) elsewhere in Burma but I never did so I am glad I bought them straightaway rather than wait.
They stand about 10 cm in height.

What to buy: My brother bought two bronze Chinthes at the same time so we were able to bargain the price down.
His Chinthes cost US$33 - I got the better bargain!!

What to pay: I paid US$11 for each one.

1 more image

There is a street in Mandalay that specialises in carving white marble. Our taxi driver took us to this shop which had lots of marble ranging from small pieces to large Buddhas that you would put in a pagoda.

There were girls working in the shop.

I bought a small Buddha that is about 10 cm in height.

What to pay: I paid US$5.00 for my Buddha