Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market)

Bogyoke Aung San Market, still widely called Scott Market after its colonial-era name, is the best-known tourist market in Yangon, Myanmar. It occupies a long colonial-period building on Bogyoke Aung San Road in Pabedan Township, a short walk from Junction City and the downtown core. Inside, narrow covered aisles hold hundreds of small shops grouped loosely by trade. Gem and jade dealers, silver and gold jewellers, lacquerware workshops, puppets, paintings, longyi and htamein fabric, thanaka, tea and general souvenirs make up most of the stock. Compared with generic shopping, the market concentrates Burmese crafts and gemstones in one place, so visitors can compare many sellers within an hour. Quality varies widely. Lacquerware, hand-woven textiles and fixed-price fabric stalls are generally reliable, while gemstones and jade demand caution because treated or synthetic stones are common and tourist trinkets sit beside authentic craft. Buying valuable stones is best left to established, licensed dealers who provide receipts. Bargaining is normal for souvenirs and art, usually starting with a counter-offer of roughly half to two-thirds of the first price, delivered politely. Prices are quoted in kyat or US dollars; cash is the main payment method, although some jewellery and larger shops accept cards. Myanmar has no widely used tourist tax-refund scheme, so visitors should not expect a refund on purchases. The market is covered and can feel hot and stuffy, yet it is calmer than the open-air local markets. Crowds peak around late morning and on weekends. Small tea shops and snack stalls operate at the edges and inside the building, and many restaurants lie within a few minutes on foot. The market is typically closed on Mondays and public holidays, which is worth checking before a visit.