Rosewood combs and other Burmese wonders

Essential things to bring back from Burma

Burma is the world's leading producer and exporter of teak. There are therefore very beautiful small furniture items, statuettes and other products made from this exotic wood to be found in the country. Burma is also famous for the large amount of gemstones it produces. Rubies, sapphires, jade – there's something for every taste. But avoid the street stalls if you want to be sure your gemstone is authentic; and obtain an export authorization, which can prove useful when taking your gemstone out of the country!

Other notable souvenirs from this splendid country

If you're traveling as a family, you will soon discover that children's toys are produced by the thousand in Burma. Whether made from fabric, papier-mâché or old food cans, the many toys produced by local craftspeople here are an indicator of the negative economic conditions that exist in some parts of the county.

Burmese silk also enjoys a very good reputation, though much less so than the fabrics made using fibers extracted from … lotus flowers! Yes, you read that correctly. The special weaving process involved is unique and the fabrics produced used exclusively to produce ceremonial clothing for monks, items for haute couture retailers and … products aimed at tourists, of course. However, it is 'longyis', traditional Burmese cloth products, that you'll much more easily be able to find on sale at all the markets. And for a female friend you could purchase a parasol made from mulberry paper, which will offer her just as much protection from the rain as from the sun.

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flickr cc Dietmar Temps

Every city has its own specialty

Every city in Burma has its own specialties to offer, so don't wait until the end of your trip to stock up on souvenirs! Be ready to give in to temptation and purchase the things that catch your eye at all stages of your trip. For example, the markets in Bagan are brimming with jewelry; though you do need to be careful however: fakes are common. It's also possible to buy bracelets, lacquered boxes and T-shirts there. The famous rosewood combs are to be found in Bago, as well as numerous kitchen utensils. And there are still other kinds of souvenirs waiting to be discovered in each different region when visiting Burma.

Additional little tip for you: haggling is mandatory!