Sand painting
Handmade Bagan paintings created from coloured river sand
About
Bagan sand painting is a handmade craft in which river sand is ground into powder and combined with colour to create images, often depicting Bagan's pagodas and landscapes.
According to Myanmar's Ministry of Information, artists obtain sand from the river, divide it into different particle sizes and grind it into powder. The powder is then mixed with colours to create images of Bagan pagodas and views, with glue sometimes used to form particular shapes.
The craft remains a small-scale industry in Bagan. A 2025 report from Myanmar's Ministry of Information described sand paintings as a Bagan-specific product sold through the pagoda market and reported that the trade was continuing to serve visitors and souvenir buyers.
Where to find it
Where to find it, the villages, workshops and markets around Bagan and Nyaung-U where this craft is still made and sold. Tap a pin or card to locate it, then open Google Maps for directions.