Shopping in Myanmar

In recent years shopping in Myanmar has become much easier. Currency exchange restrictions have become freer and shopping is a real pleasure. But where to shop and what to buy?

There are the usual department stores, supermarkets and ‘duty-free’ shops in the major cities, but they give no real feel of Myanmar shopping. For the real experience, head for the local markets. The best in all of Myanmar is probably the famous Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon. Built in 1926 as Scott’s Market, Bogyoke contains almost 2,000 shops or stalls and sells everything from handicrafts, food, clothing, jewellery and fashion to general consumer goods. The market, with its cobblestone streets is also an interesting example of colonial architecture.  

Bogyoke Market has imported textiles, household appliances, medicines and general merchandise. This is the place to bargain over the price of precious jewellery, gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquer ware, paintings, traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes. Remember to bargain with a smile and remember, if the price seems too good to be true, then it isn’t true! The market is open daily from 9.30am to 5.00pm except on Mondays and public holidays.

It is also important to remember that it is prohibited to export antiques, and the export of gemstones, jewellery & silver requires an official certificate from the seller. Purchases of such items made in neighbouring countries before entering Myanmar should be declared on arrival or may be confiscated.

Should you wish to visit a traditional and typical food market, then Yangon’s Thiri Mingala Market is a great place to visit. This is the place for both seawater and freshwater fish and is also a large vegetable market.

In Mandalay, the Central Market is the place for home wares, spices, fabrics, and fine gold jewellery and gems. For food shopping, the large Kaingdan Market is a colourful and interesting place with its rows of (mainly) women selling all sorts of vegetables. It is also Mandalay’s main flower market. Take your camera!

For some unique shopping opportunities, Mandalay is a good place to buy contemporary Myanmar paintings and charcoal drawings. Around the beautiful, photogenic Ubein Bridge, about 20 miles outside of Mandalay one can find many artists selling their pictures at very reasonable prices.

Other things to buy include bamboo products, coconut masks, leather ware, traditional puppets, tribal handicrafts and folk dolls representing Myanmar’s numerous ethnic minorities.

Myanmar is noted for its fine gold leaf and for its pearls and gem stones. Gold is hammered for days or weeks until it becomes paper thin. It is then sold in small bags and used to decorate Buddhist images. When buying jewels or jewellery it is essential to know what you are doing. The quality of gem stones can be difficult to gauge. But bargains are available to those in the know.