Souvenirs include
handicrafts and jewelry. In Yangon, a good place to shop is Bogyoke Aung San
Market, which sells luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewelry and consumer goods. It is open from 0800-1800 (except Sunday and public holidays) but the best time to visit is around 1000.
Mandalay is a good place for traditional handicrafts which can be purchased at Zegyo Market. Phatahe
Bazaar sells Buddhist articles of worship.
Shopping hours Mon-Sun 0800-2200.
Currency Information:CurrencyKyat (MMK; symbol
K) = 100 pyas. Notes are in denominations of K1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Kyat is pronounced like the English word ‘chat’. To combat the black market and limit the financial power of dissident groups, currency denominations are occasionally declared invalid without prior notice. Limited refunds are usually allowed for certain sectors of the population.
Note: The import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Currency ExchangeFECs are Myanmar’s second legal currency and are issued by the Bank of Myanmar specifically for visiting tourists. They come in denominations equivalent to US$20, 10, 5 and 1. Payment for FECs is
only accepted in US Dollars. One US Dollar equals one FEC. FECs can be exchanged into Kyats at officially authorized banks, bureaux de change, hotels and Myanmar Travel and Tour offices and can be spent anywhere in the country. Cash payments can also be made in US Dollars, but
only at establishments (eg hotels, railway stations, airlines) that have an official license allowing them to accept dollars. Wherever possible, it is advisable to change US Dollars into Kyats rather than FECs, as FECs usually have a poorer exchange rate than Kyats. It is also recommended to carry small change as large notes may be difficult to change. Euros are now also accepted in banks, but exchange can be time consuming. Be aware that concerns over counterfeit money mean that some US Dollar bills with serial numbers beginning with AB or BC may not be accepted.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsIt is unlikely that credit or debit cards will be accepted; it is best to check with your card company prior to travel. There are no ATMs.
Traveller's ChequesNot currently accepted, although this may change. Check with your tour agency prior to travel, and bring plenty of US Dollars in cash.
Currency RestrictionsRestrictions apply.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 1000-1400.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00 = | K9.49 |
| $1.00 = | K6.43 |
| €1.00= | K8.62 |
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