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LOCATION
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| Myanmar stretches from the Himalaya moutain in the north to the Andaman sea in the south. it is bordered in the west and north-west by Bangladesh and India respectively and by China in the north and, Laos and Thailand in the east. Myanmar standard time is 6 hours 30 minutes ahead of freenwish mean time (gmt). the time difference between Yangon and some major cities are given below. |
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TIME ZONE
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| CITY |
HOURS AHEAD (+) OR
BEHIND (-) YANGON |
| BANGKOK |
+ |
0.5 |
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| HONG KONG |
+ |
1.5 |
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| KUALA LUMPUR |
- |
1.0 |
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| LONDON |
- |
6.0 |
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| NEW DELHI |
- |
1.0 |
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| NEW YORK |
- |
11.5 |
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| PARIS |
- |
5.5 |
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| SINGAPORE |
+ |
1.5 |
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| SYDNEY |
+ |
3.5 |
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| TOKYO |
+ |
2.5 |
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CLIMATE |
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| Myanmar has a tropical climate with three seasons. The dry season is from mid-February to mid-May; he wet season from mid-May to mid-October, and the cool season from mid October to mid-February. The coast and Delta areas have an annual rainfall of about 250-cm and an average annual temperature of about 32-degree Centigrade. In these areas, depending on the season, temperatures can fluctuate between 16 to 40 degrees Centigrade. In the Central Belt, rainfall averages about 70cm per annum, with temperatures ranging from 46 to 15 degrees Centigrade.
Monthly Mean Temperatures in Yangon
| January |
19degree C |
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July |
32degree C |
| February |
23degree C |
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August |
32degree C |
| March |
29degree C |
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September |
30degree C |
| April |
32degree C |
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October |
28degree C |
| May |
33degree C |
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November |
18degree C |
| June |
33degree C |
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December |
16degree C |
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POPULATION
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| The bamars (Burmans) who live mainly in the lowlands, make up (69%) of the total population or (46.40) million (1997-98). there are over 135 indigenous ethnic groups and subgroup in the country; other significant ethnic groups are the Kayin (Karen), Kayahs, Shans, Kachins, Rakhines, Mons and Chins.
Most of the people live in the Central Belt comprising the Mandalay Division, the Magway Division, and the lower Sagain Division. The rest live in the Lower Ayeyarwady Delta and the Sittoug valley
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RELIGIONS
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| Theravada Buddhism is the main religon embraced by 85% of the people, followed by Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and animism. |
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NATION FLAG
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| The background color of the flag is red. The blue canton at the upper left corner of the flag bears two paddy stalks and a pinion of 14 white stars. The paddy represents the peasants while the pinion signifies the work force of the population. The 14 uniform white stars symbol the equal status and union sprit of the 14 States and Divisions that constitute the Union of Myanmar.
The white in the flag signifies purity; the red indicates bravery and upright nature of the people; whilst the blue stands as a symbol of peace and stability in the country.
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LANGUAGE
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| The national language is Myanmar; however, English is widely spoken. English is taught in schools as a second language beginning from the kindergarten and its use is permitted in some types of official communications. In secondary schools, most of the textbooks are in English. |
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CAPITAL CITY
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| Yangon, which in Myanmar means "End of Strife", was formerly known as Rangoon and has a current estimated population of 4 million people. |
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IMPORTANT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2007)
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January |
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4 |
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Independence Day |
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February |
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12 |
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Union Day |
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March |
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2 |
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Peasant's Day |
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March |
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2 |
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Full Moon Day Of Tabaung |
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March |
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27 |
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Armed Forces Day |
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April |
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13-16 |
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Thinggyan Festival |
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April |
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17 |
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Myanmar New Year |
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April |
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30 |
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Full Moon Day of Kason |
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May |
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1 |
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World Worker's Day |
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July |
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19 |
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Martyr's Day |
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July |
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29 |
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Beginning of Buddist Lent |
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October |
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26 |
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End of Buddhist lent |
| * |
November |
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24 |
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Tazaundaing Festival |
| * |
November |
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4 |
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National Day |
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December |
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25 |
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Christmas Day |
| * The dates will be notified separately in due course. |
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CLOTHING
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Light casual wear, preferably of cotton material, is suitable for the country's all year round tropical climate. Only during the cool season or when visiting Upper Myanmar like Mandalay or Bagan or Maymyo and Myitkyina that one needs to wear a warm sweater or light jacket.
There is no low against shorts or mini-skirts, but this type of clothing is not welcomed by the Burmese.
Open footwear, such as sandals, is acceptable, but remember to remove footwear when entering religious institutions. |
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VISA
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| Visitors to Myanmar are required to have valid passport with visa. There are two main types of visa: Tourist (either Foreign Independent Traveler or Package Tour) and Business.
Visas can be applied at Myanmar Missions in the following countries: Australia (Canberra), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Canada (Ottwa), People's Republic of China (Beijing, Kunming), Hong Kong, C.I.S./former U.S.S.R (Moscow), Egypt (Cairo), France (Paris), Germany (Bonn), India (New Delhi), Indonesia (Djakarta), Israel (Tel Aviv), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), Laos (Vientiane), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Nepal (Katmandu), Pakistan (Islamabad), The Philippines (Manila), Singapore, South Korea (Seoul), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Switzerland (Geneva), Thailand (Bangkok), United Kingdom (London), USA (New York, Washington), Vietnam (Hanoi), and Yugoslavia (Belgrade).
No vaccination certificate is required unless coming from an infected area. Airport tax is US$10.
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VACCINATION
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| No vaccination certificate is required unless coming from an infected area. |
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AIRPORT TAX
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| Airport tax is US$10. |
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CUSTOMS
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| On arrival at Yangon airport, after having your customs declaration stamped and if you have no goods to declare, you can pass through the "Green Channel". If you have any doubt, use the Red Channel.
Tourist is allowed duty-free import of limited quantities of tabacco-400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 8ounces of pipe tobacco as well as two litters of alcoholic beverage and a ? litter bottle of perfume.
Be careful, if you bring handy phone, custom will keep this until departure.
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FOREIGN EXCHANGE
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| A foreigner and a non-resident can bring into Myanmar any amount of foreign currency not exceeding US$ 2,000 or its equivalent without making a declaration to the Customs on arrival. The Central Bank issues FEC in four denominations equivalent to US$ 20, US$ 5, and US$ 1. US$ 1 is equivalent to 1 FEC. The fractions of the FEC calculated at the daily cross rate will not be exchanged. |
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CREDIT CARDS
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| Although Visa, Minor and JCB Credit Card are commonly used, only hotels and high standard resturant accept them. Master card cannot be used in Myanmar at present. It is better not to bring traveller cheque with you because there are hardly any places they can be used. |
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FOOD
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| The basic Myanmar food is mainly riced and curry...Some of the curries are spicy and often served with salad, vegetable soup and fish paste cooked in various ways. Among the favorite food is mohinga (rice noodles with fish gravy) which is eaten at any time of the day. Another popular dish is ohn-no- khaukswe, consisting of noodles cooked in coconut chicken curry. Widely eaten desserts include sanwin-ma-kin (Myanmar sweet cakes made of semolina, sugar, egg, butter and coconut), Myanmar-style banana cakes, and kyaukchaw (sea weed jelly).
Chinese restaurant can be easily found in towns. They serve Cantonese and Fukienese style Chinese food. Indian food like kebabs and birani are also popular among the Myanmar. European food is available only at restaurant in the hotels. Chettyar food is also popular among the Myanmars. Most restaurants close by 10pm although some tea and coffee shops will stay open later.
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ELECTRICITY
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| 230volts AC |
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GETTING THERE
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| There are direct air-links connecting Yangon with Kuala Lumpure, Taipei, Osaka, Calcutta, Kunming in China, Dhaka, and Chittagong in Bangladesh, Chieng-mai and Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong. |
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TRANSPORTATION
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| By air; Myanmar Airways serves most of the domestic air routs. But this is not good for foreign tourist, because it often happen to delay and flight cancel without announcement. Also F-27 of Myanmar Airways must be carefull.becouse of crushed 4 times within 3years. Air Mandalay , Air Bagan and Yangon Airways are suitable for foreigner because of on time.
By rail; The country has a large rail network connected to the Yangon-Mandalay main lines.
By road; A large network of road services most parts of the country and main tourist sites are accessible by road by Highway.
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NAMES
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| A Myanmar has no family name. A woman has her own name and retains it even after marriage. A child is normally named according to the day of the week he (or she) was born, whereby each day of the week is denoted by certain letters of the Myanmar alphabet. For example, Monday is denoted by the names Kyaw, Khin, Kyin, etc, Another way toname a child is based on his (or her) date of birth.
A person is usually addressed according to his age. For older people, their names are pre-fixed with U (pronounced OO) and Daw and are the equivalents of Mr. And Ms respectively. A young adult is addressed by the honorific Ko (for male) and Ma (for females). A child is referred to as Maung and Ma for males and females respectively. Example; Khin Myat, a departmental manager, could be addressed as U Khin Myat by his colleagues but as Ko Khin Myat or Maung Khin Myat by monks and elders.
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NEW YEAR FESTIVALS
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| Falling in April, the Water Festival (or Thinggyan) is celebrated for three days to usher in the Myanmar New Year. In the cities and towns, makeshift pavilions with stages for singing and dancing are erected, and barrels are filled with water. Young people dance and sing on the stages and throw water on all and sundry. It is believed that being drenched with Thinggyan water washes away one's sin and bad luck. Decorative floats may also take part in processions.
In this term ,you have to patient if you wet and most of restaurant is closed.
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RELIGIOUS SERVICE
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| Roman Catholic |
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St.Mary Cathedral |
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372 Bo Aung Kyaw Street |
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St. Augustine's church |
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64 Inya Road, Sunday masses at 7 and 9:30 PM |
| Anglican |
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Cathedral of the Holy Trinity |
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446 Bogyoke Aung San Street |
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Church of the Holy Cross |
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104 Inya Road |
| Methodist |
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Methodist-English Church |
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65 Signal Pagoda Road |
| Baptist |
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Immanuel Church |
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corner of Mahabandoola and Barr streets |
| Judaism |
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There is a Jewish synagogue in 26th Street in Yangon.
Call the Israeli embassy for a current schedule of services. |
| Islam |
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Khoja Mosque |
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Shwebontha Street |
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Shia Mosque |
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30th Street |
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Sunni Mosque |
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Shwebontha Street and Maung Taulay Street and
Sule Pagoda Road |
| Hindu |
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Hindu Temple |
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Anawratha Street, near Thein Ghyi Zei Market |
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Sri Sri Durga Temple |
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307 Bo Aung Gyaw Street |
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Sri Sri Siva Krishna Temple |
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141 Pansodan Street |
| Sikh Temple |
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Sikh Temple |
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256 Theinbyu Road |
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POSTAL SERVICE
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| The Yangon General Post Office is located on Strand Road at the corner of Bo Aung Gyaw Street. Allpost offices in Myanmar are open 9:30am to 16:30 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:30am to 12:30pm Saturday. They are closed Sunday and public holiday.
Or you just want to send a letter, you can pass a Hotel staff.
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BUSINESS HOURS
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| Government offices open from 9:30am to 4:30pm daily from Monday to Friday. Banks operate from 10am to 2pm daily from Monday to Friday. |
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CURRENCY
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| Myanmar currency is known as Kyat. US$1 is equivalent to approximately 350 kyat[SEP/99] (the official exchange rate ,howeveris still 6 Kyats to US$1) You can exchange at Hotel.
Kyats are in the following denominations: K1000,500,200,100,50,20,10,5 and 1.
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TIPPING
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| Tipping is not a common practice in Myanmar. It is becoming less unusual in Yangon at major tourist hotels. |
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SHOPPING
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| Myanmar's market and bazaars are the most interesting, and at the same time the most reasonable places to shop for native arts and crafts. In Yangon, the Bogyo Aung San Market is open 10:30am to 17:00pm Tuesday to Sunday (holiday: public holiday). It is the place where most tourists do their last shopping before leaving the country.
The entrances to the Shwedagon Pagoda are also bazaars- of some length, in fact, covering both sides of the stairways. The bazaar at the east entrance is possibly the most interesting; among the items frequently sold are puppets, drums, masks, toys, brassware, and metal goods including swords. The bazaar at the pagoda's south entrance is notable for wood and ivory carvings.
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HOSPITAL
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PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER |
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No.81, Kaba Aye Pagoda RD. Bahan T/S |
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TEL |
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548022 |
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FAX |
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542979 |
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AEA CLINIC |
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INYA LAKE HOTEL |
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TEL |
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667877, 667879, 667871 |
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FAX |
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667866 |
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SAKURA MEDICAL CENTER |
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No.23, Shin Saw Pu Road, Home Lane Block, Sanchaung T/S |
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TEL |
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512668, 512669, 510079, 510186 |
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FAX |
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510131 |
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