Lacquerware is Myanmar’s pride for its magnificent beauty that takes a professional and traditional craftsman to demonstrate his/her artwork in long processing time that can span from 6 months to a year. Having applied natural resources such as bamboo, a black sap from Thit-Si tree, sawdust and cotton fibers, this lacquerware lasts long with the very purpose of serving food to the elders or as a storage place for royal families during the late 12th century. The final product of lacquerware is made exquisite by floral designs drawn by the craftsman using needles. This unique art is known as Pan Yun.
Pomelo
If you are looking for Myanmar traditional souvenir shop, check Pomelo. It is known for quality hand-made products with a modern touch. There are also hand-woven Chin silk clothes and memorable small gifts made of recycled materials.
Address: 89, Thein Phyu Rd, Yangon
Contact: 01295358
Opening hours: 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
Myanmar Lacquerware Shop
With an aim to promote the country’s unique artworks, Myanmar Lacquerware has made sure its products have practical use rather than sit on the shelf as collectibles. It offers boxes in different shapes and colours, soup or noodle bowls, trays that look like frying-pan lids, puppets (golden lion, peacock, owl and so on), and 3-tier lunch boxes with handles – locally known as Thone Sint Gyite.
Address: No. 7, 13th Street, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon
Contact: 01-226261
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Augustine’s Souvenir Shop
Widely occupied with traditional handmade products, Augustine’s has a wide range of grand lacquerware collection made of black Thit-Si sap and other essential coatings as well as crafted monk sculptures. Augustine’s has cupboards with drawers in different sizes. The shop is famous for its attention to details in craftsmanship. Augutine’s also offers silver- (Pha-larr), brass- and copperware.
Address: 25, Thirimingalar Street, Kamayut Township, Yangon
Contact: 01 524052, 01 525359, 09 5419459
Email: augustine@myanmar.com.mm
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 pm.
Hla Day
Hla Day is a great workplace for local artisans who are disadvantaged socially, physically or financially. It provides different sources of aesthetic knowledge and training where one can improve creativity and skills. Hla Day means “beautiful” in Burmese, and it is definitely the word that would cross your mind after seeing its stocks of scarves in traditional design, dresses in a modern sense, handbags, Burmese toys, baskets, and pillows.
Address: 1st fl, 81 Pansodan St, Yangon
Contact: 09 45052 1184
Opening Hours: 9 30 a.m. – 4. 30 p.m.
Sun Myanmar Elephant House
The elephant is another symbolic animal for Myanmar – white elephants were prized by ancient Burmese kings, and you can still find an image of a white elephant on 5000-kyat bills. Maybe this is why its products have a sense of grandeur. Here you will find a vast range of magnificently designed boxes. The lacquerware of animals’ physical features has a traditional touch with modern twists. Another awesome place to choose a gift for a foreigner friend.
Address: Sein Kyaw Oil Compound, Sein Kyaw Road, New Aye Quarter, Dawbon Township, Yangon
Contact: 579 709/ 579 697/ 721 866
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Golden House Woodworking Carving and Handicraft
Golden House is known to be an artistic place occupied with talented craftsmen’s artwork and sculptures. Craftsmen use raw materials like wood, wax and clay to portray different sceneries of nature and Myanmar lifestyle – a crane in the middle of plants, people traveling with a bullock cart, etc. Being modernized, Golden House also has chess boards made of wood carvings and thoroughly decorated lampstands.
Address: 135 Dhama Zedi Rd, Bahan, Yangon
Contact: 01 531008
Opening Hours: 9 30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
