Discover the secrets behind the famous lacquerware of Bagan. Step into a local workshop with a renowned artisan and see each stage of the process unfold. Learn the craft’s history and how it has evolved over time. Cap-off the experience with a hands-on course to create a unique, handmade souvenir.  

Programme Details

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Today your tour will start at your preferred time between 09:00-16:00.

Delve into one of Myanmar’s oldest art forms: lacquerware. Visit a local Bagan lacquerware workshop and meet with a craftsman whose family has been making lacquer for generations. Hear how the craft arrived in Myanmar in the 12th century and has evolved over time. The process remains much the same but new designs have changed to suit modern tastes.

Then step into the workshop to see the process evolve step-by-step. See how strips of bamboo are tightly woven to form the base. Then watch as a layer of lacquer is applied. The lacquer comes from Thit-si, a sap harvested from a local tree found throughout Bagan. Once dried, see how the item is polished then coated with another layer. This process will be repeated several times to improve the quality and strength of the product.

After observing the process of creating the lacquerware, move on to the design phase. Watch the delicate techniques used to etch and paint intricate patterns on the items. Then, with the assistance of an artisan, grab a paintbrush and decorate a drink coaster. Gain a greater appreciation for the skill and talent of the artists through this hands-on experience.

Leave the coasters to dry and collect them later in the day for a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Bagan!

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