10 Unique Myanmar Souvenirs

Travel note: Since the 2021 military coup, parts of Myanmar have seen armed conflict, and the March 2025 earthquake centred near Mandalay and Sagaing damaged many temples and other sites. Before you go, check your government’s travel advisory and confirm with a local guide which areas and sites are currently open and safe to visit.

Souvenirs are a small, portable piece of the culture you travelled to see – something to help you remember the trip and to share with friends and family back home. Myanmar has a rich tradition of crafts, from textiles and lacquerware to puppets and bells. Below is a list of souvenirs you can get when traveling in Myanmar:

Longyi

You can find Longyi in almost any market in Myanmar, from the little village to the big city. The Longyi is a graceful traditional costume that both men and women can wear. It is a large sheet of cotton or silk that you wrap around your waist as a skirt. The Longyi is styled differently for men and women. There are also various silk designs to choose from. Simple cotton longyi are very affordable, while fine silk ones cost more. However, make sure you learn the proper technique to wear it before buying. The patterns differ by gender as well: for men, a thin plaid or woven stripe, tied by pulling the fabric tight against the back and tying an elegant knot in front. For women, anything goes: beautiful, bright batik patterns, traditional woven zig zags called ashiq, stripes or flowers. Women tie the longyi by pulling all of the fabric to one side, folding back at the hip and tucking into the opposite side of the waist, usually topped with a fitted blouse worn just to the waistband. The women also sew in a thin band of black fabric at the waist of the longyi.

Sand Painting

One of the most unique art forms you’ll ever see is the sand paintings of Bagan, Burma. Artists paint on cloth using sand. Sand painting is a subtle art in Bagan where there are thousands of pagodas and temples depicting the development of Buddhism since the XI century. Beside Lacquer Wares, Bagan sand painting is a beautiful gift to bring back home. Traditionally, artists reproduce religious murals found on the walls of Bagan’s thousands of temples. Sand paintings may be black and white, or composed of colored sands. Sand painters still sell their work inside or outside small temples or in the courtyards as you approach. Some artists are branching out and painting their personal riffs on traditional images, or creating their own modern ones. Take your time if you are interested in purchasing a painting.

Kalaga (Embroidered Tapestries)

Myanmar has a long tradition of kalaga, heavy tapestries embroidered with sequins and gold and silver thread, especially around Mandalay. The padded figures often depict scenes from the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives), Buddhist symbols and animals like the elephant.

Buddha Statues

You do not need to be a practicing or secular Buddhist to buy a Buddha statue. In many souvenir shops in Yangon, Mandalay or Inle Lake, statues of different sizes and patterns are available on the shelves. Just remember that if you take one home with you, always treat it with respect.

Wind chimes (Kyeezee bells)

The Kyeezee bell is a unique cultural icon of Burma. Wind chimes are thought to be good luck in parts of Asia and are used in Feng Shui. Today, wind chimes are common in the East and used to maximize the flow of chi, or life's energy. Also known as the Burma Bell, the Kyeezee is a bronze/brass gong that is flat and triangular in shape. It is usually hung by a string and is believed to possess magical powers that help resolve quarrels and drive away evil spirits. These are a great souvenir for bringing home a bit of zen atmosphere to your garden or house. These also make a great Myanmar gift for family members or friends back home. If you are interested in a souvenir that reminds you of your beautiful Myanmar tour, then pick up a set of beautiful wind chimes. You can easily buy them outside of all of the country’s major temples.

Burmese Puppet

Traditional Burmese puppet theatre (yoke thay) dates from the 15th century. In the 19th century it reached the peak of its popularity, but after that other types of -lighter- entertainment became more popular. Puppets have long been an integral part of Asian cultures. They have beautifully woven themselves into the social fabric in these countries through stories depicting morals, victories, and tales of wonder. Myanmar is no different. Burmese marionettes are one of the most cherished souvenirs from Myanmar. Unlike Vietnam, which is famous for water puppets, Myanmar has a sophisticated tradition of string marionettes. Puppets make great Myanmar souvenirs for kids since they’re both a great memento but can also be played with back at home.

Burmese Lacquerware

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. When exploring the temples of Bagan, you can drop into a lacquerware factory to see how people process the bamboo, preparing the paint until they have assembled the whole bowl, small wardrobe, or wall painting. A popular option for small Burmese souvenirs are lacquerware jewelry boxes. These are also a great idea for Myanmar gifts.

Silk

Perhaps the most famous Myanmar souvenir is Inle Lake silk. The quality of the silks here is among the highest quality in Asia. Silk here is soft, luxurious, and comfortable. The most unique silk is probably the kind made of lotus which is unique to Inle Lake, but there are other silks made throughout the country.

Jewelry and jade

Myanmar is a world-famous jewelry and jade production place. It is rich in jewels such as rubies, sapphires and jadeites with good quality. In Myanmar's traditional markets, sightseeing areas and shopping malls you will find vendors selling jewelry, and fakes are common. Think carefully before buying gems or jade, though: much of the trade is controlled by or pays revenue to the military, and rights groups link the jade and ruby mines to conflict. Since 2021 the United States has sanctioned Myanmar’s state gem enterprise, and some countries restrict imports of Burmese gemstones – check your home country’s customs and sanctions rules before you buy, and ask for full documentation if you do.

Cigars

Cigars are one of the most distinctive handicrafts in the Inle Lake, and there are many cigar workshops in its water village. Burmese cigars might not be as famous as Cubanos, but every cigar enthusiast should make sure to try one while they’re here. The best place to buy cigars is Inle Lake where people harvest the tobacco plant and create their special blends according to family traditions. The tobacco leaves are blended with palm sugar, cloves, cinnamon and other spices, which are much milder than cigarettes. Cigars are wrapped in a dried leaf and do not contain any synthetics. They are inexpensive, making them a great option for cheap Myanmar souvenirs. Check your home country’s duty-free tobacco allowance before you pack them.

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