Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop

The detailed design and craftsmanship of Jasmine is excellent. I just went back in January 2024, after visiting 7 years ago, to buy a few more items. Unfortunately they don't have much business these days due to the lack of foreign tourism in Myanmar so they have stopped making their signature products and their small showroom is partially in boxes. While every family will tell you a story about how their laquerware is the best quality, it's very hard to know what really is "the best". What I do know is the quality of the designs on Jasmine's products are top notch. Laquerware you find at the temple stalls and in markets may be much cheaper, but less care is taken in the etching and coloring process. The lines will be thicker and not as detailed, there may be an errant line here and there from a mistake in the etching. Some of the color may have smudged. If you look at Jasmine's designs, the etchings are extremely fine. The lines are clean, and the beauty shows through. So while it's impossible to verify the quality of the laquering process, I can vet the quality of the designs. They also put their name and/or symbol on every piece so you know it came from their workshop. They are a lot more expensive than market and temple stall prices though. Expect them to start with very high prices and negotiate from there. I probably could have bargained more, especially with the current situation. But I decide what each item is worth to me and negotiate what I think is fair for the work involved. Even if I pay a bit more, at least the money is going straight to them and not some middleman. I definitely like their little shop over some of the bigger laquerware workshops. They don't have a fancy storefront on the main road so it may be a bit hard to find.

If you want some beautiful pieces of laquerware and are ok to pay more than the prices at stalls, you will really enjoy your visit to Jasmine Family Laquerware.

This was an amazing experience!!! Really suggest you go here if you are in Bagan. The Jasmine family makes traditionel laquereware by hand at there house and has done it through generations. The son Shein Aung warmly greated us and took time explaining us how they make the laquereware, what to look for and the different proces. He showed us around the workshop and had a smaller room with beautiful laquereware you could buy from. The prices were a lot cheaper than at the bigger stores a long the main road. You also get a better price if you come without tourguide because they charge commision. So glad we went here!!

This is not the same experience as visiting the handycraft workshops you visit by boat in inle lake which have much more forced and touristy feel. This one you choose yourself and seems much more authentic..

A really exciting place in Bagan for tourists about who want to learn about the famous and long-standing traditional crafts. The owner of the workshop will show you how to make a completed lacquerware product and you will understand why a original lacquerware thing is very expensive. But do not forget to bargain!

Authentic lacquerware shop that is family owned. You will leave with a better understanding of the long and staking process each item requires. Beautiful stuff. Worth it to find and buy from them—great quality, beautiful craftsmanship, and supports a local family. Look no further.

Highly interesting visit. We do now have a good understanding of high quality lacquers.
Our guide was friendly and took time to show and explain all the required production steps as well as the differences with cheaper products.

Follow the signs to Golden Cukoo and take the right road into the village. Jasmine Family Lacqueware Workshop is located a few meters down that road on the right side.

Their street sign is behind the Golden Cukoo street sign when coming from Old Bagan.

The family here is super super nice, happy to walk you through the whole process and letting you see how they work. We ended up buying a whole bunch of stuff from them, as the work is beautiful and the stuff is gorgeous!

Beautiful lacquerware, good prices, and a wonderful proprietor who will explain the process and show you around the workshop. Highly recommended.

The best! go there with your eyes closed!
We have no words to describe the kindness of Win who accompanied us to magnificent views of Bagan.
We have next visited his traditional lacquer shop. Unlike other vendors found near temples, it is of the highest quality. I highly recommend visiting the Jasmine Family Shop. Win took the time to explain everything in the making, without any exchange in return.
We were charmed by the kindness of this family but also by their professionalism.
thank you!

A family business that is authentic and genuine about their craft. Wim, the owner, took the time to explain the heritage of making lacquer wear in his family workshop and shared about the process and his sources for raw materials. If you gain contentment in supporting local artists and their creativity whip out your plastic without hesitation. You'll be surprised how much your dollar stretches when you make a purchase. Major credit cards accepted and no extra charges.

Best place to buy authentic lacquerware in Bagan. The owner is very helpful and workmanship is exquisite. I picked quite a few pieces for friends and family and they were highly appreciated at home. The host guides you through the process especially in understanding the quality of the various pieces. On top of it the pricing was the best in Bagan. Friendly tip: Do not go here with some agent as then the agent takes a cut and you get a lower discount. You can happily negotiate with the owner and get a decent discount. I myself bought quite a few pieces at a fairly attractive price. As all pieces are handmade there can be no possible fixed prices and the owner is happy to help you pick a good piece in your budget.

Authentic family workshop, not a mass tourist place. Friendly owner, speaking good English, who shows you the fabrication process. Quality products with nice and durable decorations. You can get fair prices with a short bargain.

Excellent Lacquerware workshop and shop. The lacquerware here is genuine and beautifully carved. You can watch all the different processes that goes into making the lacquerware and the workshop owner will explain everything to you. If you would like to buy I suggest you go alone rather than have a driver take you. The driver will take a commission for taking you so you get less of a discount on the lacquerware.

We visited Nov 2017 and loved meeting the craftsmen. The two sons speak English well and we learnt a lot about lacquerware - the resin, natural colours, underground drying room, coconut brushes etc. If you visit yourself then you get discount prices as they don't have to pay commission to a guide. I've lived in Myanmar nearly two years and this was the best quality I've seen. Also some antique boxes and bells available in their shop. They take Visa/MasterCard. Apparently some rivals tell people it has closed but go see for yourself! Go down the lane which is north of the Manuha Temple (and same Irrawaddy side of the road), just south of the small bridge over the dry river bed.

Really lovely lacquerware workshop. Much more workshop than store with a great educational tour of the lacquerware making process. Also one of the least pushy buying processes I've encountered in Myanmar. A bit hard to find as the sign by the main road is not so visible; look for Golden Cuckoo (or something like that) and turn down that road. The workshop itself has a sign. They also sell very attractive antique lacquerware.

Exquisite workmanship explained by a friendly owner. True Burmese artisans that provides you the opportunity to see the incredible amount of time required to make these objects. We bought a few pieces but there is no pressure to purchase if you don’t want to.

If you’re after some Lacquerware, I would recommend to go with those guys. We’ve had a very informative introduction into the whole process and their products really distinct from what you get at the street markets.

Yes, it is fairly expensive, but you buy quality and you support a family business. Well worth a visit!

Great family workshop to learn and see the complex process involved in lacquerware making. Also, great selection to buy high quality end products (all made there) at good prices.

We went to the Jasmine Family because we wanted to buy some nice lacquerware an we were really glad we went there. They were so helpful and nice and we are really happy with the quality of the item we bought, it's really good relationship between price and quality.

If you want to visit a true family run lacquerware shop this is the place to go. The family is super nice and they will tell you all about the process. The prices are better too since it's a small family shop. Great people!