From the warm dust of Bagan’s temple plains to the cool reed-lined canals of Inle Lake, Myanmar hits the senses with color and texture: gold-leaf glinting on pagodas, lacquer bowls stacked like glossy suns, and the bittersweet scent of fermented tea leaves in market alleys.

Walk through Yangon’s Bogyoke Aung San Market or Mandalay’s Zegyo and you’ll hear the scrape of looms, the snap of cheroot wrappers, and the steady rhythm of artisans layering lacquer by hand.

Markets sit beside rivers and pagodas here, like the Irrawaddy carries goods and stories, while villages such as Amarapura, Yandabo and Pathein keep centuries-old crafts alive.

Whether you’re tracing acheik silk patterns or testing pale yellow thanaka on your skin, knowing what to buy in Myanmar will help you bring a piece of its layered heritage home.
Here’s what to buy in Myanmar to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Bagan Lacquerware

Why pick this up:
Bagan lacquerware embodies Myanmar’s slow, hands-on aesthetic—each bowl or box is built up from many coats of lacquer and polished to a deep sheen. It’s both decorative and practical, making it a tactile memento of temple-dotted Bagan and its artisan workshops.

What to look for:
Seek pieces with fine, even layers and hand-painted motifs such as floral or mythic designs; the smell of a faint resin and slight weight are signs of authentic lacquer. Avoid overly glossy, perfectly machined items that lack brushstroke irregularities and hand-carved details.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 8,000–60,000. Prices vary by size, age and intricacy.

Where to find it:
Nyaung U markets and village workshops around Bagan, plus stalls at Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon.

2. Mandalay Silk & Acheik Longyi

Why pick this up:
Silk longyis and acheik fabrics from Amarapura and Mandalay carry patterns historically woven for royalty—the sinuous acheik wave and ikat tie-dye are instantly identifiable. Wearing one is a wearable souvenir that connects you to centuries of Burmese textile tradition.

What to look for:
Look for uneven dye slubs, slight weaving irregularities and richly layered colors—these are marks of handwoven silk. Avoid perfectly uniform machine-made imitations; authentic acheik has complex, hand-executed patterns and a soft, weighted drape.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 6,000–45,000. Higher for pure silk and intricately woven acheik pieces.

Where to find it:
Weaving shops in Amarapura, Zegyo Market in Mandalay, and textile stalls at Bogyoke Market.

3. Thanaka Paste & Thanaka Wood

Why pick this up:
Thanaka, the pale cosmetic paste seen on faces across Myanmar, is both practical and poetic—a fragrant, cooling sunblock and skincare staple with a golden-brown wood origin. It’s a small, fragrant way to bring a daily Burmese ritual into your routine.

What to look for:
Choose solid chunks of thanaka wood with a clean grain and request freshly grated paste; authentic thanaka has a faint woody aroma and fine, cooling texture. Avoid tins labeled generically or packaged without indication of origin, since color and scent vary by region.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 2,000–15,000. Pure wood or fresh paste tends toward the higher end.

Where to find it:
Street stalls and skincare counters at Bogyoke Aung San Market, Mandalay markets, and village sellers in Magway and Mandalay regions.

4. Shan Textiles & Inle Ikat

Why pick this up:
Shan State weavings and Inle ikat are known for bold dyed patterns, natural dyes and labor‑intensive resist-dye techniques that produce striking scarves and shawls. They’re pieces of regional identity—each pattern tied to a town or family tradition.

What to look for:
Check for color depth from natural dyes and the telltale blurred edges where threads were bound for ikat; hand-spun irregularities are a sign of authenticity. Beware of bright, chemically perfect colors and perfectly even weaves that suggest factory production.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 10,000–50,000. Handwoven silk or large shawls command higher prices.

Where to find it:
Inle Lake floating markets, Heho town markets, and Shan State village bazaars.

5. Mogok Rubies, Sapphires & Kachin Jade

Why pick this up:
Myanmar’s gems—especially Mogok rubies, sapphires and Hpakant jade—are world-renowned for their color and history, prized both as investment pieces and heirloom jewelry. A single authentic stone carries geological and cultural provenance.

What to look for:
Buy from reputable dealers with certificates of origin and ask about treatments; look for stones set in traditional Burmese settings or offered with lab documentation. Small trinkets may be affordable, but high-quality gems require scrutiny and paperwork.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 50,000–1,500,000+. Prices vary wildly by carat, color and certification.

Where to find it:
Reputable gem shops in Mandalay and Yangon; certified dealers and established gemstone markets (avoid roadside sellers).

6. Mandalay Cheroots

Why pick this up:
Mandalay cheroots are hand-rolled cigars with a warm, earthy flavor and a long history in Burmese social life; they’re a small, fragrant souvenir that speaks to local tastes. They also make polite gifts when presented in proper packaging.

What to look for:
Choose neatly rolled bundles from known brands or from artisans whose shops allow you to see the rolling process; fresh cheroots should be evenly packed and lightly scented. Avoid loose, dry sticks sold without wrappers or freshness seals.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 500–5,000 per bundle. Artisanal batches cost more.

Where to find it:
Tea shops and central market stalls in Mandalay, Bogyoke Market in Yangon, and roadside stalls in towns.

7. Pathein Parasol (Traditional Umbrella)

Why pick this up:
The colourful Pathein parasol—hand-painted and lacquered on cotton or silk—captures Ayeyarwady craftsmanship and makes a striking decorative piece. Its broad canopy and painted ribs are instantly photogenic and functional in sun.

What to look for:
Inspect the bamboo rib construction, even lacquer and hand-painted motifs; a well-made parasol will open smoothly and have tightly sewn fabric. Shoddy glue or loose stitching are signs of mass-produced copies.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 8,000–60,000. Larger silk versions and detailed painting push prices higher.

Where to find it:
Workshops in Pathein (Ayeyarwady Region), souvenir stalls in Yangon and Bagan, and artisan bazaars.

8. Wooden Marionettes (Yoke Thé Puppets)

Why pick this up:
Traditional Burmese puppet theatre (yoke thé) is a living art form; a carved puppet is both a decorative object and a story-carrier of folk tales and royal dramas. Puppet-makers in Mandalay keep intricate carving and painting techniques alive.

What to look for:
Look for finely carved joints, hand-painted faces and durable stringing; high-quality puppets use local teak or hardwood and show expressive handwork. Smaller factory-made figures lack the joint articulation and brushwork of authentic Yoke Thé.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 20,000–150,000. Complexity of carving and size determine cost.

Where to find it:
Mandalay puppet workshops, cultural stalls at Bogyoke Aung San Market, and theatre craft shops in Yangon.

9. Mandalay Silver & Filigree

Why pick this up:
Mandalay’s silversmiths produce delicate filigree work, betel boxes and jewelry that reflect traditional Burmese motifs and craftsmanship. These pieces are wearable art and excellent keepsakes from the city’s artisan quarters.

What to look for:
Genuine silver items have hallmarks or weight and a cool, slightly tarnished patina; filigree should show fine twisting and soldering rather than glued filaments. Ask about purity and request cleaning or storage advice to preserve the finish.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 20,000–200,000. Intricate filigree jewelry and larger boxes cost more.

Where to find it:
Mandalay’s silversmith streets, Zegyo Market, and curated stalls at Bogyoke Aung San Market.

10. Lahpet (Pickled Tea) & Packaged Tea Snacks

Why pick this up:
Lahpet—fermented tea leaves—are a quintessential Burmese food gift, central to the famous lahpet thoke (tea-leaf salad) and a symbol of hospitality and history. Sealed tins or vacuum-packed lahpet and packaged snacks let you taste a unique local flavor at home.

What to look for:
Choose vacuum-sealed or factory-packed lahpet from reputable producers with clear ingredients and expiry dates; look for balanced flavors with toasted sesame and garlic bits. Skip loose, unlabelled jars unless you’ll consume them quickly and can confirm hygiene standards.

Price bracket (2025):
Ks 3,000–20,000. Premium tins or gift sets are priced higher.

Where to find it:
Bogyoke Aung San Market, Nyaung U Market in Bagan, Inle Lake market stalls, and airport shops.

Tip: Wrap delicate lacquerware and parasols in clothing and pack lahpet and cheroots in sealed containers; when in doubt, ask vendors for gift-ready packaging and keep receipts for declarations at customs. 🧳

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Shopping in Myanmar is woven into daily life. Markets are social hubs where families buy food, artisans sell their wares, and bargaining is a practiced art.

Famous bazaars such as Yangon’s Bogyoke Aung San Market (also called Scott Market), Mandalay’s Zegyo, Bagan’s Nyaung U Market and the floating markets around Inle Lake each reflect regional specialities from gems to lacquerware.

Artisan villages like Amarapura for weaving, Yandabo for pottery, Pathein for umbrellas and Hsipaw or Shan towns for textiles often operate on relationships: visiting workshops, watching demonstrations and buying directly supports families and keeps techniques alive.

Bargaining is common in open markets and with independent stallholders, but expected in a friendly way; fixed-price shops, museum stores and upscale galleries usually have no room for haggling.

Weekend maker markets and small galleries in Yangon and Mandalay have become gathering places for contemporary makers, blending tradition with new design sensibilities.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for material authenticity and the telltale marks of handcraft. For lacquerware, multiple thin layers and slight tool marks or brushstrokes indicate traditional manufacture; for textiles, handwoven ikat and acheik show irregularities in dye and weave and natural-dye depth. Thanaka should be sold as solid wood or freshly grated paste with a faint woody smell; avoid pure powder blends without provenance.

For gems and jade, insist on certificates and buy from reputable dealers—untreated stones and documented origin are crucial. With food items like lahpet or cheroots, choose vacuum-sealed or factory-packaged goods with clear labels and expiry dates; avoid loose products unless you can verify cleanliness. Beware cheap, glossy trinkets stamped ‘handmade’ but clearly machine-produced—ask where and how something was made, and buy from workshops when possible to ensure the craft is local.

Where to Shop in Myanmar

• Yangon: Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market), downtown galleries and museum shops (National Museum).
• Mandalay: Zegyo Market, the silversmith and textile quarters, and Amarapura weaving workshops.
• Bagan & Nyaung U: Nyaung U Market and lacquer workshops.
• Inle Lake: Floating markets and Heho-area stalls for Shan textiles.
• Pathein: Parasol and umbrella workshops in the Ayeyarwady region.
• Artisan villages: Yandabo (pottery), Amarapura (weaving), and Hsipaw/Shan towns for local fabrics.
• Yangon International Airport: curated gift shops for sealed food items and last-minute purchases.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Myanmar expensive?
A: Prices range widely—small handcrafted items like thanaka or cheroots are inexpensive, while acheik silk, jade and certified gems can be costly; local markets generally offer better value than tourist shops.

Q: Is bargaining common in Myanmar?
A: Yes, bargaining is expected at open-air markets and independent stalls but not at fixed-price galleries or museum stores; do so politely and start lower than your maximum.

Q: How do I know if food souvenirs are allowed through customs?
A: Choose vacuum-sealed, labelled products and keep receipts; always declare food at your departure airport and check your home country’s rules on pickled or preserved items before packing.

Set out with curiosity and a light suitcase—discover what to buy in Myanmar and bring its stories home.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!