Stores, Malls or Markets in Burma

I've visited multiple times and have never had any problems bringing back souvenirs such as puppets, or burmese textiles, lacquerware, etc. Maybe I was lucky or maybe customs wasn't that bothered. Anyways, incredibly friendly in the land of payas.

I love walking on those 'flip-flops' though this hardly sounds like an appropriate name for this footwear. Since it is always hot here in Burma and you have to take of your shoes everywhere (temples but also in people's houses) this makes for excellent footwear. If you decide to buy something like this, look carefully at the quality. It isn't always the same. And the soles can be made from cheap material instead of a good one. It takes a little while to break them in but after that they are incredibly comfortable.

What to pay: The pairs shown on the picture where purchased for 3200 ks and 3500 ks respectively (april 2008).

Thailand the elephant, Japan the waving cat, China the Dragon. If you looking for something that represents Burma/Myanmar that you can take back home the animal that best represents Burma is the Chinthe. You'll find plenty of bronze, wooden and Jade Chinthes of various sizes throughout Burma.

My brother bought two bronze Chinthes in Maymyo, husband bought a wooden one in Bagan.

What to pay: Depends on the material and size. From US$1 upwards.
The bronze Chinthes cost US$15 the wooden Chinthe US$20

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If you are like us we always find at the end of a trip that we wish we had bought more small gifts etc.

The actual airport entrance at Yangon does not have many shops at all and I was worried that there might not be the opportunity for last minute gifts. I was pleasantly surprised however. Once you go through the formalities and into the passenger area there is a selection of duty free, a small jewellery shop and a couple of small Burmese handicrafts shops.

What to buy: Brother was able to buy a small jade dragon and even a packet of cheroots. (these of course were confiscated when he arrived at customs Australia as unbeknown to him they contained seeds).Husband bought a book(Bagan) and some cheap, small jade fish.

What to pay: Cheroots US$1
Jade Dragon US$15
Small Jade Fish US$5

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Bogokye Aung San market (Scott Market) is a definite must see in Yangon. In fact I went there probably more than 10 times during my stay in Yangon!!! This is a huge open air market that sells practically everything you can think of - food, clothing, souvenirs, jewellery, etc. Bargaining is MUST!! You can have a lot of fun practicing your bargaining skills.

The market caters for both locals and tourists. At the souvenir shops, the shop owners all speak English, but in some of the other sections they don't speak English. You can usually get by talking with hand signals.

I recommend just having a look at everything the first time you go but don't buy anything. Then the next time you go there you'll have a good idea about what you want to buy and how much it should cost.

What to buy: Clothing, food, souvenirs, jewellery

What to pay: Time to use your bargaining skills.

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A longyi makes a great gift to give to your female friends/family back home. There are various shops around the country. At a silk shop that hand weaves it's own silk, you can find some especially nice stuff, including silk shirts for the men back home. Bogyoke Market (a.k.a. Scott's Market) in Yangon has many stalls with a huge choice of material. You can pick the pattern you like and have it made while you wait.

What to buy: also in silk-handbags, scarfs, gloves, shirts

What to pay: As low as $1, and up to about $20. The price will depend on the quality of the material, the work from the seamstress, and your bargaining ability.

I don`t remember the address of any antique shop , but every taxi driver wiil take you to the store where you can buy everything from used condom of king Nanda Bhueng to howitzer made in U.S.S.R...
Try your chancre ! ( sorry , chance... mam...)

there are lots of wood carving shops in yangon as well as scott market.. but this was the shop that had carvings that caught our eye..

What to buy: fine sandalwood carvings.. we particularly like this set of carvings of ppl playing local musical instruments.. the fine handiwork on these carvings was simply superb!

What to pay: we paid usd14 for a sandalwood carving of a horse amongst others.. not the cheapest.. but for the fine work, we felt that is was worth it! :)