Useful Information

Area

676577 sq km (about the size of United Kingdom and France combined)

Population

52 million

Capital

Naypyitaw ( Pyinmanar ) Changed from Yangon (Rangoon) on 27 March 2006
Yangon is the city of trade, economy and culture.

Language

Myanmar ( English is widely used )

Currency

1US$ = 1 FEC
FEC notes : 1, 5, 10, 20
Kyat notes : 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 45, 50, 90, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000
Payments can be made in US$ for Trains, Flight, Hotels, some restaurants and Entrance fees.

Hotels

Many hotels in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle. The range of hotel quality extends from local guest houses to 5 star accommodation.

Time

6:30 hours ahead of GMT.(UTC)
0:30 minutes behind Thailand
1:30 hours behind Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong

Electricity

230 Volts AC, 50 HZ

Dress

Light casual wear for all year round except when visiting northern parts during the cold season. Visitors should not wear hot pants or shorts when visiting Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries; sandals or slippers are convenient as it is required to remove all footwear at the entrance.

Business Hours

Government Offices
09:30-16:30 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Banks

09: 30 -15:00 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Private Companies

09 :00 -17 :00 hrs (closed on Sundays)

Post offices

09 :30-16 :30 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Insurance

Myanma International
Insurance Corporation
Tel: 543177, 251833
Myanmar Insurance
Tel: 289596, 263376

Banks

Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank
80-86, Maha Bandoola Garden Street, Kyauktada
Tel: 254585. 370994
Fax: 289585
Myanma Investment & Commercial Bank (MICB)
170-176, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Botahtaung
Tel: 281775,280395

Museums

1. National Museum
2. Natural History Museum
3. Defense Services Museum
4. Myanmar Gems Museum

River Cruises

1. Irrawaddy Princess
2. Road to Mandalay
3. RV Pandaw (l.ll)

Programmers in English

08:30 hrs – 09:00 hrs
14:30 hrs – 15:00 hrs (Saturdays and Sundays)

Myawady TV

07:00 hrs – 08:20 hrs
16:00 hrs – 22:30 hrs
11:00 hrs – 15:00 hrs ( weekend day )

MRTV-4

24 Hours

MRTV

07:00 hrs – 09:00 hrs
16:00 hrs – 22:30 hrs
11:00 hrs – 15:00 hrs (weekend day)

Satellite TV

(CNN, CNBC, BBC, STAR, TV6, CCTV, SITV, etc.)

Newspapers

The New Light of Myanmar (English)
Myanma Alin (Myanmar)
Kyemon (Myanmar)
Myodaw (evening tabloid Myanmar)
Yadanabon (Myanmar) publish in Mandalay
Foreign Newspapers / Journals (available at Inwa Publishing House)
International Herald Tribune Time
The Straits Times News week
The Business Times

Magazines / Journals in English

The Myanmar Times Enchanting Myanmar
Myanma Perspective The Business Tank
Myanmar Today Shwe Myanmar
Today Myanmar Explorer

Mail

Yangon General Post Office
39, Bo Aung Kyaw St.
Tel: 380342, 240330

DHL

Tel : 246559, 251751
Tel : 664423, 664434
United Parcel Service (UPS)
Tel : 667110

DPE International

Tel : 249278
Express Courier Service
Tel : 280153, 240802, 246816
Overseas Courier Service
Tel: 280706, (09) 22409, (09) 23625

Telephone

IDD telephones are available at most hotel, offices, post offices and shopping centres. Overseas calls can be made through operators where there are no IDD Phones. E – Mail and fax facilities are available.
Public telephones are installed at the Airports, Railway Stations and at most street corners. Mobile phone can be enquired for hire at Myanmar Travels and Tours Counter, Yangon International Airport.

Dress

Light casual wear for all year round except when visiting northern parts during the cold season. Visiting should not wear hot pants or shorts when visiting Pagoda, Temples and Monasteries; sandals or slippers are convenient as it is required to remove all footwear at the entrance

Shopping

Many different arts, crafts and antiques are available throughout Myanmar. Hand-crafted Lacquerware, mostly produced in Bagan,comes in all shapes and sizes. Embroidered cottons and wood carvings also make good souvenirs. Myanmar is, of course, renowned for its precious stones, particularly rubies. You should only buy from government licensed shops which must issue an official receipt.

Drinking Water

Recommended to drink only bottled Mineral Water.

Food

Many good restaurants in Yangon. Myanmar food and Chinese food are popular throughout the country. Myanmar food is influenced by the Indian and Chinese cuisines. European food is available is most tourist centers and hotels. Eating at street stands is not recommended.