Page 99 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

DIRECTORY Yangon and around 97
Yoyomay) T01 10527, Enostalgia.arts@gmail.com; Market, showcasing a diverse and affordable range of work 1
map p.62. Beautiful Burmese artefacts featuring some by local artists. Tues–Sun 9.30am–5pm.
particularly gorgeous lacquerware (including antique Pomelo 2nd floor, 89 Theinbyu Rd T09 506 2655,
pieces) along with other traditional bric-a-brac and Wpomeloformyanmar.org; map p.62. Fun little
collectibles. Daily 9.30am–4.30pm. boutique supporting local social projects. The shop’s
★ Hla Day 81 Pansodan St T09 452 241 465, signature brightly painted papier-mâché animals make a
Whladaymyanmar.org; map p.64. The city’s most nice souvenir, and there are also lots of colourful stuffed
enjoyable souvenir shop, bursting with a colourful array of toys, Pathein parasols and other miscellanea, along with
work by local artists and artisans – anything from beautiful some lovely, if pricey, fabrics. Daily 9.30am–9.30pm.
traditional textiles through to funky souvenirs made out of Yangoods Bogyoke Market T09 973 780 501; map p.62.
recycled plastics. Daily 10am–9.30pm. Also 62 Shan Kone St, northwest of the Shwedagon
Mia Ruby 79 Pansodan St T09 457 183 424, Pagoda T09 261 076 370; map p.71; Wyangoods.com.
Wmiaruby.co; map p.64. Shoebox boutique jewellers Quirky bric-a-brac and homeware – calendars, pictures, bags,
selling hand-cut rubies, sapphires, spinels and other cushions, coasters and so on – featuring colourful designs
precious stones, and featuring a beautiful selection of from old colonial prints and posters. Bogyoke Market
rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets, with all pieces Tues–Sun 9am–5pm; Shan Kone St daily 11am–8pm.
designed and made in Myanmar. All stones are sourced ★ Yoyamay Bogyoke Market (around the east side of
exclusively from non-military mines according to best the market’s upstairs front floor, next to Heritage
social and environmental practice, offering gems without Gallery) T09 450 029 481, Wyoyamay.com; map p.62.
guilt and the chance to put money into an industry long This unusual “ethnographic textile gallery” specializes in
tainted by its intimate connections with the military and traditional Chin, Kayin and Naga fabrics made into bags,
their cronies. Mon–Sat 9.30am–5.30pm. cushion covers, table runners, decorative hangings and so
Myanmar Artists Organisation East side of Bogyoke on. Superlative quality, although with prices to match. They
Market T09 420 027 304; map p.62. One of several also have a little pop-up stall downstairs next to the
impromptu galleries along the east side of Bogyoke market’s food stalls. Tues–Sun 9am–5pm.
dIrECTorY
Banks There are now hundreds of ATMs scattered all over Hospitals and health clinics Standards of healthcare
Yangon; most accept both Visa and MasterCard. Changing are abysmally low in Myanmar. The city’s main hospital, the
money is also straightforward, with many banks having Yangon General on Bogyoke Rd, is one of the best in the
Forex desks, while some travel agents double as licensed country, but still worth avoiding if possible. In an
moneychangers. In central downtown there are a number of emergency you’re better off contacting either the Myanmar
licensed moneychangers around the front of Bogyoke branch of International SOS, Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye
Market and another handy Forex desk in the AGD Bank Pagoda Rd (open 24hr; T01 657922, Winternationalsos
opposite the western side of Mahabandoola Gardens. In .com), or the private Asia Royal Hospital (14 Baho St;
eastern downtown, try Swan Htet Yee, a few doors south of T01 538055, Wasiaroyalhospital.com).
the Hninn Si Guesthouse, or Farmer Phoyarzar moneychanger Internet There aren’t many internet cafés left in Yangon;
opposite the Eastern Hotel on Bo Myat Htun St. most charge around K400/hr. Try the trio of small internet
Embassies Australia, 88 Strand Rd (T01 251810, cafés inserted into the base of the Sule Pagoda on the
Wburma.embassy.gov.au); China, 1 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha northwest side of Sule Pagoda roundabout, or Ki Ki
Rd (T01 221280, Wmm.china-embassy.org); New Network Game (daily 9am–8pm) on Mahabandoola Rd
Zealand, 43c Inya Myaing Rd (T01 230 6046, Wmfat.govt between 41st and 42nd streets. In eastern downtown, try
.nz); Republic of Ireland, c/o Embassy of Ireland, 12th Floor, the well-equipped BizNet (8am–midnight), just south of
208 Wireless Rd, Lumpini, Bangkok (T+66 2 016 1360, the Hninn Si Guesthouse.
Wdfa.ie/irish-embassy/thailand/); South Africa, c/o South Laundry There are no self-service laundrettes in Yangon,
African Embassy, 12th Floor, M Thai Tower, All although virtually all guesthouses and hotels provide some
Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Bangkok, sort of laundry service.
Thailand (T+66 2 659 2900, Wdirco.gov.za/bangkok); Pharmacies AA Pharmacy, 146 Sule Pagoda Rd, near the
Thailand, 94 Pyay Rd (Mon–Fri 9am–noon & 1–5pm; junction with Anawrahta Rd (daily 8am–8.30pm;
T01 222784; Wwww.thaiembassy.org/yangon/en); UK, T01 242651); City Care Pharmacy (daily 9am–9pm),
80 Strand Rd (Mon–Thurs 8am–4.30pm, Fri 8am–1pm; basement of the FMI Centre (Parkson Building; go in
T01 370865, Wgov.uk/government/world/organisations between the escalators) on Bogyoke Rd.
/british-embassy-rangoon); US, 110 University Ave (Mon– Post office The main post office is at the corner of Strand
Fri 8am–4.30pm; T01 536509, Wmm.usembassy.gov). Rd and Bo Aung Kyaw St (Mon–Fri 9.30am–4.30pm).

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