Myanmar Travel Guide

Full Name

Myanmar

Former Name

Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

Capital City

Rangoon (government refers to capital as Yangon)

Government Type

military junta

Area Size

total: 678,500 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +6:30 hours

Climate

A monsoon climate with three main seasons. The hottest period is between February and May, with little or no rain. Rainy season exists from May to October and dry, cooler weather from October to February.

Geography

Myanmar, which has a total area of 678,500 square kilometres, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, and the 40th-largest in the world (after Zambia). It is somewhat smaller than the US state of Texas and slightly larger than Afghanistan. Myanmar is located between Chittagong Division of Bangladesh and Assam, Nagaland and Manipur of India to the northwest. It shares its longest borders with Tibet and Yunnan of China to the northeast for a total of 2,185 km. Myanmar is bounded by Laos and Thailand to the southeast. Myanmar has a 1,930 km contiguous coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to the southwest and the south, which forms one-third of its total perimeter.

Languages

Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Culture

A diverse range of indigenous cultures exist in Myanmar, the majority culture is primarily Buddhist and Bamar. Bamar culture has been influenced by the cultures of neighbouring countries. This is manifested in its language, cuisine, music, dance and theatre. The arts, particularly literature, have historically been influenced by the Burmese form of Theravada Buddhism. Considered the national epic of Myanmar, the Yama Zatdaw, an adaptation of Ramayana, has been influenced greatly by Thai, Mon, and Indian versions of the play. Buddhism is practiced along with nat worship which involves elaborate rituals to propitiate one from a pantheon of 37 nats. In a traditional Burmese village, the monastery is the centre of cultural life.

History

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently under house arrest. In November 2005, the junta announced it was extending her detention for at least another six months. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed.

Travel Information

The national airline is Myanmar Airways International (UB). Yangon (RGN) is 19km from the city. Buses go to the city (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available (journey time – 45 minutes). Airport facilities are Restaurant, bar, snack bar, bank, post office, duty-free shop and tourist information.Departure Tax US$10. Passengers in direct transit are exempt. Cruise ships call at Yangon Port. Overland entry with a border pass is, in theory, permitted at the following border check points: Kyukoke, Namkhan and Muse on the Myanmar-Yunnan (People’s Republic of China) border; and Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung on the Mynamar-Thailand border. Generally speaking, however, foreigners are only allowed to travel as part of an organised group.

Accommodation

Since the privatisation of the hotel industry in the 1990s, a large number of new hotels and guest houses have been completed or are under construction, particularly in Yangon. Advance booking is advisable, particularly from November to March. There are also hotels at the resorts of Sandoway, Taunggyi and Pagan. For further details, contact Myanmar Travel and Tour.

Visa Requirements

Visas required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Passport valid for at least six months beyond date of intended departure required by all nationals of countries referred to above. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy for visa requirements. A separate visa is required for each child over seven years of age, even if travelling on their parent's passport. Tourist visas are valid for two months from the date of issue for stays of 28 days in Myanmar. This can be extended for an additional 14 days. Business visas are valid for three months from date of issue for stays of 10 weeks, extendable for up to 12 months on an individual basis. Transit visas are valid for 24 hours. Apply to Consulate or consular section at embassy.

Getting Around

Air travel is the most efficient way of moving within Myanmar and the only permissible means of transport for independent travellers, but there is a rather limited schedule of flights, and a rather less than perfect safety record. Air Mandalay and Air Yangon operate internal flights. Internal security can restrict ease of movement. There are daily flights to most towns; charter flights are also available. There are over 60 airstrips in the country. The best way of seeing Myanmar is by boat, particularly between Bhamo–Mandalay and Mandalay–Pagan. Myanmar has about 8,000km of navigable rivers. Trips can only be arranged as part of an organised tour group. It is generally necessary to provide one’s own food. Myanmar Railways provides services on several routes, the principal line being Yangon to Mandalay (journey time – 12 to 14 hours). There is also a good service from Mandalay–Lashio–Myitkyina. The state-run railway has 4,300km of track and serves most of Myanmar. First class is available but, with the exception of the Yangon to Mandalay line, services are regularly afflicted with delays caused by climatic, technical and bureaucratic difficulties. Traffic drives on the right. Visitors must remember that, under Burmese law, the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault. Buses are generally operated by the state-owned Road Transport Enterprise. Public bus services tend to be unreliable and uncomfortable; visitors may pay using the Kyat currency on certain lines only. Owing to the ongoing privatisation programme of the transport industry, a fleet of privately operated buses is also available. Bicycles are available for hire. Yangon has a circular rail service. There are also antiquated and overcrowded bus services in all cities. Yangon has blue government taxis with set fares. Unmetered three- and four-wheel taxis are available in cities, as are rickshaws; it is wise to pre-arrange fares. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Health & Safety

Travellers should take special precautions for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and at times for Rabies and Malaria. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from an infected area. Vaccinations against Japanese B encephalitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Health insurance is strongly recommended. There are hospitals and clinics in cities and larger towns, and regional health centres in outlying areas. It is advisable to carry a remedy against minor enteric upsets. Travellers should exercise caution when travelling to border areas in Burma, particularly those close to the Thai/Burma border where there is a risk from ongoing military activity and landmines

National Holidays

4 Jan - Independence Day. 12 Feb - Union Day. 2 Mar - Peasants’ Day. 2 Mar - Full Moon of Tabaung. 27 Mar - Armed Forces Day. 13-16 - Apr Maha Thingyan (Water Festival). 17 Apr - Myanmar New Year. 30 Apr - Full Moon of Kasone. 1 May - May Day. 19 Jul - Martyr's Day. 29 Jul - Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent). 26 Oct - Full Moon of Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent). 14 Nov - National Day. 24 Nov - Tazaungmon Full Moon Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Myanmar Kyat (MMK)

Electricity

230v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

999