Lacquerware : Probably the most popular purchase in Myanmar is lacquer ware and tourists love lacquer ware. They are available in the main markets in Yangon and Mandalay but most particularly in Bagan, where most of the lacquer ware is made. It is also produced in Kyaukka village (the origin), Monywa and in Kengtung, eastern Shan state. The basic raw material for lacquer ware products is bamboo. To make an object, the craftsman firstly weaves a frame. If the item is top quality, only the frame is bamboo - horse or donkey hairs will be the engravings. Multi-colored lacquer ware is produced by repeating engraving, painting and polishing. The process takes five or six months and is involving 14 steps. Lacquer is used for alms bowls, trays, plates, boxes, containers, cups, vases and many other everyday items. Octagonal topped folding tables and room dividers are other popular lacquer ware items.

Silk Weaving : Silk weaving is a real traditional Myanmar Art. It can be widely seen in Amarapura, the ancient city 12 km south of Mandalay. Most of the local girls bring home earnings from silk weaving. Silk weaving can also be seen in Inn-Paw-Kon village on the Inle Lake. Weaving technique and designs are quite different from that in Amarapura. In the era of the Kings, silk clothing was only used among royal family. Nowadays most of Myanmar especially women love to wear silk clothing in ceremonies and occasions. Visitors either men or women love to buy beautiful silk scarves and other clothing materials.

Jewelry : Myanmar is famous for its pure and world best jade, but next to this you can buy precious birthstones, sapphires and rubies of different qualities. The most famous ruby is the “pigeon blood”, which can reach quite high prices. Many stores in Yangon are able to fix unique designs with directly chosen stones within in a couple of weeks in different quality ranges. Jade is available as stones, finished jewelry like necklaces and even in lower quality in small carved animals, mainly elephants, which are nice gifts to bring home.

Gold leaf : The manufacture of gold leaf can be seen in Mandalay as a cottage industry. Myanmar people believed that it was started by Shan Saya Mon, so gold leaf producer always pay respect to him for good business. Small pieces of gold bullion, which are in the form of tamarind leaves, each kept between two pieces of paper (3”x3”) are laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches the gossamer-like thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. As well gold leaf is used to gild the lacquer ware, wood curving materials and Paya Htee (Pagoda umbrella).

Puppets : Marionettes are based on Myanmar music and dance, made of rattan or wood in different forms. There are twenty eight kinds of marionettes, which sizes are from thirteen inches to twenty inches in the form of King, Queen, horse, elephant, tiger, monkey, parrot and so on. Marionettes can be seen at market stalls, hanging with manageable 20 strings. It was said that Marionette is already performing in AD 1295, but noted were Myanmar Marionettes as early as in the 18th century. During these times some marionettes had up to 60 manageable strings. Tourists like to buy Marionettes at stalls and workshops in Mandalay or Yangon as souvenir to hang them at their home.

Gold Embroidery : It is a kind of Myanmar traditional handicraft, which can be seen in Mandalay since the time of ancient Kings. In the era of King Min Don, who built the Mandalay city, he plotted a separate quarter for gold embroidery handicraft. The technique is creating designs, like flowers and pictures on the cloths (silk, etc.) by using gold and sliver threads. Real gold and sliver threads were used during the King’s era, but colorful sequins were used for making commanders’ clothing. Nowadays Myanmar people use gold embroidery clothes in traditional and regional affairs such as novice ceremony, opening ceremony, Nat Pwe etc., dating back to memorable ancient times.

Tapestry : Tapestry can be regarded as the twin handicraft of gold embroidery, seen in Mandalay as well and is a good business. Unlike to gold embroidery, instead of designed on silk cloths, it is designed on framed black cloths or velvet and old robes: using tinsel, artificial gems, gold, sliver and colorful threads by knitting. They are beautifully designed with floral ornaments, pictures of animals: tiger, lion, elephant, peacock and similar. Tapestry can be as well found on human accessories such as hats, shoulder bags and regular clothing. This popular handicraft is easy to carry, so most of tourists buy and bring pieces back home.

Stone Sculpting : This is one of the twelve categories of traditional Myanmar Fine Arts, called Pan-ta-mot. Stones are carved into various sizes Buddha Statues, flowers like lotus and form of animals: elephant, lion, horse, etc. Small lovely pieces can easily be brought home. For large items for gardens and house you may need assistance of local shipping companies.

Wood Carving : Myanmar has large reserves on wood due to the big forests and therefore you can find many items carved in different woods. The carved woods are both old and new and vary from small figures and wooden canes to heavy statues and Buddha images.

Furniture : Teakwood furniture are made by local craftsmen in various styles and by order of individual preferred designs. Some foreign residents in Myanmar love to buy such uniquely designed furniture. If the tourists would like to bring them to their home country, the advice of a shipping agent is required to check on the regulations in the country.

Antiques : Statues of brass in animal shapes, old clocks, old furniture and wood carvings, as well as old ship antiques as lanterns or telegraphs are a popular buy in Yangon or other major cities. You have to watch though the export regulations.