Myanmar Travel Guide

Myanmar — Shopping

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Shopping

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

Kyat (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 Exchange

FECs 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, bureau 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 Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

It 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.

Travelers Checks

Not currently accepted, although this may change. Check with your tour agency prior to travel, and bring plenty of US Dollars in cash.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There are no import limits on foreign currencies, but any amounts must be declared on arrival and must be converted within one month of arrival and the declaration certificate kept for departure. There are no limits on the export of foreign currency for visits up to six months, up to the amount imported and declared. For visits longer than six months, there are no restrictions up to the equivalent of K50,000.