Thein Nyo Silk Weaving Workshop is one of several silk weaving workshops in Amarapura, Mandalay where local artisans make beautiful silk garments. As well as silk they also make similar garments out of cotton.

A visit to one of the silk shops is usually included in any day trip that you may take when visiting places like Inwa (Ava) or Sagaing.

At the rear of the Thein Nyo Silk Workshop the men and ladies work dying the silk in a variety of vibrant colours. They dry the silk and wind it on reels. The many coloured reels are given to the girls who sit at the old style looms and weave the elaboratly patterned silk garments.

The main items produced are the traditional longyis, the sarong type long skirt traditionally worn by both men and women throughout the country.

The men’s version (also called paso) are generally cylindrical in make, you step into them. The ladies version (also called htamein) are more prone to be a single wrap around style.

In the sales shop at the front of the building you can purchase either the men’s or women’s longyis or any of the beautiful scarves, table runners, pillow cases etc on display.

It is possible to buy lengths of either plain or patterned material by the metre here if you want to take some home to sew your own creations. Very little sales pressure.

When you visit Amarapura make sure you pop into one of the silk workshops like Thein Nyo Silk. The staff are usually happy to show you around.