Bogyoke Aung San Market

Several hours can easily be spent at this historic covered market, with over 2000 stalls selling everything from gold and diamond jewellery to tattoos. It also offers the largest selection of Myanmar handicrafts and souvenirs you’ll find in one location and is a good place to find tailors.

Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon. on Bogyoke Aung San Road. The name of this road was also named after the market. The Bogyoke Aung San Market is the most popular market and a great tourist destination in Yangon. It is one of the precious colonial buildings you can find in Yangon.

Sometimes called by its old British name, Scott Market, this is an ideal place to pick up some nice slippers, convenient for all the on-and-off demanded by paya protocol, and a longyi (sarong-style lower garment); U Maung Maung has a good selection ranging from ones made of cotton (from K4000) to silk mix (from K9500) and best-quality silk (K30,000). Also look out for Myanmar Yanant Textile selling hand-woven and naturally dyed cotton from Meikhtila made into traditional clothes and accessories such as scarves, caps and bags.

At the rear northwest corner England Vision Optical has good-value prescription glasses in a multitude of frames.

Upstairs in the market's southeast Yo Ya May and Chin Chili are both excellent for hill-tribe textiles including the colourful works of Chin State, such as blankets and shawls embroidered with scenes of village life. Also in this section, Heritage Gallery offers a good selection of authentic and reproduction antiques and retro items with an emphasis on lacquerware. There are some local-interest books, too.

By the central entrance is the art gallery Taw Win with a wide range of colourful, locally produced art, and a branch of the retro-themed fashion and homeware accessories brand Yangoods.

There are plenty of places in the centre of the market to grab a drink and snack including juice vendors and tea and coffee shops.

History of Bogyoke Aung San Market

Scott Market was built in 1926, late in the British rule of Myanmar, and although it is commonly believed to be named after James George Scott, the British civil servant who introduced football to Myanmar[citation needed], it is actually named after the Municipal Commissioner of the time, Mr. Gavin Scott. After Burmese independence in 1948, it was renamed after Bogyoke (General) Aung San. A new wing of the market was added across Bogyoke Market Road in the 1990s.

Structure

There are 1.641 shops selling luxury items. handicrafts. foodstuffs. clothing. jewelry. fashion and consumer goods. The market is a square type based and therefore divided into the East wing. West wing. North wing and South wing. The shopping items are not categorized in the respective wings. Looking around and finding the most suitable item would be fun. There are also traditional. Myanmar and Chinese food stalls in the market.

Event Bogyoke Aung San Market is also well-known for the pre-Thingyan festival also called the Zay Thingyan meaning the Market's water festival. It is usually held on the 11th or 12th of April. Youngsters from all over the city come to the market dressed for the festival. The shops donates traditional food such as Monte Lone Yay Paw. Thargu. and Shwe Yin Aye.

Store

The ground floor and the first floor are lined with small antique shops selling old coins, bank-notes, postage stamps and medals. In the middle of the market are jewellers, selling famous Burmese jade, Burmese rubies and other precious stones. The rest are art galleries, handicraft shops, restaurants and clothes stores. The new wing of the market, across Bogyoke Aung San Market Road, houses shops that sell medicine, foodstuffs, garments and foreign goods.

The market is also known for its black market money changers, with jewellery merchants typically able to change the largest notes at the best rates. The market is closed on Mondays. The little shabby shop called "Lady Home" at the back of the market behind the Jewellery Row, near the old wooden foot bridge crossing the old circle line train tracks, makes delicious fried noodles and vermicelli dishes. For the adventurous, try the pig organs (intestines, tongue, ears, etc.) boiled and fried and then tossed in fiery chilli sauce.

• Opening Hours:    9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Close on gazette holiday.
• Admission Fees:    Free
• Location:    Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon. on Bogyoke Aung San Road
• Address: Bo Gyoke Rd, Pabedan, Myanmar (Burma)
• Opened: 1926