Location: Bagan
Top Things to do in Bagan
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10 Shopping in Bagan That You Shouldn't Miss
Bagan (Burmese: ပုဂံ; MLCTS: pu.gam, IPA: [bəɡàɴ]; formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.
Restaurants in Bagan
1. Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By sso617 - Bern, Switzerland
One of the best things I did in the Bagan area, maybe THE best, was go to this workshop. You will have a real experience. It is a family business, on their family compound (amazing to see), and they make beautiful, exquisite lacquer items of all types. There was zero pressure, everyone was friendly, but most importantly, they actually wanted to have a relationship with you as someone interested in what they do in the traditional way. It's hard to describe--they show you *everything* about how lacquer items are made: materials, processes, etc. Going here is a completely different experience from just buying a lacquer item in a shop. It will mean so much more to you when you get it home if you buy it here. And you will be convinced that you got the best possible product. Prices seemed entirely fair to me. But, again, this is a whole experience, not just a shopping experience. The location of the shop is correct on Google maps. Just keep going until your dot is where their shop is. As others have noted, please use an e-bike to get there; local politics and the location of the shop dictate that the owners must pay tuk-tuk and taxi drivers to show up, so they are forced to charge you more as well. It's just a five minute walk from the main road, if that, but again, e-bike is best. I was a solo traveler and sometimes that means feeling a bit awkward in situations like this, but in this case it felt completely natural. Can't recommend enough. There's a reason it's the #1 shopping experience in Bagan!
2. Golden Cuckoo Jade & Gems
3. Pomelo For Myanmar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 97tammys
This is a very awesome shop in so many different ways! It’s a great pit stop for picking up unique and beautifully made fair trade items. More importantly, it also gives the shopper a chance to connect with and understand Myanmar’s social-economics landscape a bit better as the store supports various local communities. The shop assistant was incredibly friendly and took his time to explain many items to me.
4. Black Elephant Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By dhmadm
Veronica from Ukraine fell in love with Lacquerware and she is probably one of the world's most respected lacquerware artists. She has pioneered this social, not for profit business which we must all support. Prices are generally fixed and the money goes to the people she employs and these are poor village and town folks who have a lot of skill but if it wasn't for Black Elephant, they would not have an outlet. Lacquerware in Bagan is dominated by SIX families and there are pitfalls in buying from the standard tourist business that you guide will push you into. Instead, tell them you want to go to Black Elephant and meet Veronica and admire her passion and her fine work which has a genuine international market .This amazingly passionate lady is running a wonderful social enterprise. Do support her! The unique lacquerware you buy will forever remind you of the artistic ability of the Myanmar people channelled so selflessly.
5. Diamond Crown Wood Carving
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By elirand2020
Very nice shop located in Nyaung u in bagan Lowest prices for wood carving all made by hand made You also can see how they make it they do it in the shop I also tried a class with the owner very nice guy and very pariente guy you can ask every think about wood and I also made my idea with him (groot) Very recommended
6. Stallion Goddess
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
By Shopping In Stallion Goddess (cotton In Myanmar), You Can Support Myanmar Local People's Life. Supporting Local Producing and Sustainable Business
Reviewed By stallionGoddess_BGN - Bagan, Myanmar
Nice place to visit there. Lots of souvenirs and beautiful products there. You can buy something for your friends and family.
7. Golden Cuckoo Lacquerware
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By EliseB897
The owner welcomed us at the family workshop. An amazing experience to understand the process to produce laquery art. I recommend to take the time to visit the workshop. Great explanation, great learning Thank you for being so generous
8. Myanmar Gems and Jewelry Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Genuine Natural Burmese Rubies, Sapphire, Jade and Other Semi Precious gems brought to you directly from source for special sale at manutacturer's price for limited time only at Thante Hotel ( Nyaung U) All items are individually handcrafted Jewelleries made in 18 K Yellow and White gold.
9. Ever Stand Lacquerware Workshop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Sofs115 - London, United Kingdom
A stop at a lacquerware workshop is a must in Bagan and I certainly recommend Ever Stand Lacquerware Workshop. I asked to see the workshop and if someone could explain the process to me when I entered. A lady immediately showed me around, explaining step by step how it worked (I was surprised by the complexity, the level of skill and artistic talent required to make each piece!). All the employees were very friendly, smiling as I walked by. There's a shop that displays the work that they do. Everything was so beautiful that I walked around for a good 15 minutes before making a decision! The ladies at the shop were very friendly and NOT pushy at all. At no point did they try to push a sale on me, which felt quite nice. I felt a lot more eager to buy something without the pressure and the beauty of the objects spoke for itself. The prices vary greatly from $$$ to cheaper items starting at $3, depending on the quality. Items which have a flaw (sometimes so small you can't even see it), are put on one shelf at lower prices.
10. MBoutik
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
MBoutik is a social enterprise initiative by ActionAid Myanmar and the business of Myanmar Women Craft Producers Association (MWCPA).
Reviewed By bobinathens - Nokomis, United States
MBoutik has a superb collection of cloth and other items produced by women all lver the country. The many kinds of bags are special vaklue. The shop also stocks spectacular yardage of traditional woven cloth. The shop has recentlky moved to a location in New Bagan. It's in a side street just off the main road. Look for the sign on the main road.
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