Myanmar
From Wikitravel
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Yangon |
| Area | total: 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km |
| Population | 42,238,224 (July 2002 estimate) |
| Language | Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages |
| Religion | Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% |
| Government | military regime |
| Currency | kyat (MMK) |
Myanmar, also known by its old name Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia. It lies on the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea coast between India and Bangladesh to the east and Thailand and Laos to the west. Its northern border is with China.
| Table of contents |
Regions
States (pyi):
Divisions (tain):
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Myanmar has been subject to rule by a military junta for much of the past 25 years. The country has a reputation abroad as one where political dissent is brutally crushed, as in the case of the frequent house arrests of democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi.
As a result of the political situation, Myanmar is subject to trade sanctions from much of the western world, and this will cause problems for the unwary traveller. Some reports indicate that travel to certain regions is officially off-limits.
Get in
Visas in advance are required from all visitors except ASEAN, People's Republic of China and Russian nationals.
Electronic Myanmar visas are now available online at the government's eVisa (http://www.visa.gov.mm/) site. Tourist visa applications cost US$30 and require a digital photograph and a credit card; if approved, the visa is valid for 28 days and must be used within 90 days. Electronic visas can only be used if arriving via air to Yangon or Mandalay.
By plane
Myanmar Airways (http://www.maiair.com/homepage/default.asp/) link Yangon with Bangkok, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. They operate an all-Boeing fleet. Indian Airlines links Yangon with Calcutta.
The most popular place to get a flight to Myanmar is Thailand. Air Mandalay connect Chiang Mai with Mandalay and Yangon. Phuket Airlines connect Bangkok and Mandalay. Biman Bangladesh links Bangkok with Mandalay. Thai Airways International also have a Bangkok - Yangon flight. These flights start at 3500 baht one-way and are best bought from a travel agency in Bangkok such as Friendly Star Travel Services & Tours Co. Ltd.
Overland
Although the situation is improving, it is not currently feasible to independently enter or leave Myanmar across the borders with India, Bangladesh, Laos or China.
The situation with the two accessible border crossings with Thailand is complex. At the Tachiliek/Mae Sai border you will only be able to travel as far as Taungyi. Enter at the Kawthoung/Ranong border and you will only be able to explore a small area on the Myanmar side. Due to continued insurgency in the Shan, Mon and Karen States, you will not be able to transit onwards to any other part of Myanmar, even by air.
Get around
Myanmar has an extensive rail network. There is also a large river ferry network. Both are to a large extent run by the governement and payable in FEC. You can also use buses to places you are allowed to visit, and pick-up trucks for shorter distances. Both are mostly payable in Kyat and expect to pay some extra for being a tourist. Remember, travel in Myanmar is slow.
Talk
Buy
A popular purchase in Myanmar is lacquerware, which is made into bowls, cups, vases and various items. There is also a wide variety of beautiful silverware and jewelry as well as textiles, including gorgeous silks and handcrafts such as wooden carvings, silk paintings and stonework.
Due to EU and US sanctions, credit cards are not accepted anywhere in Myanmar - not even in banks - and so you must take in as much cash (in US dollars) as you feel comfortable carrying. You will be unable to get more whilst in the country so budget wisely. Technically, only the kyat is legal tender, but you will find US dollars widely accpeted and often preferred. The official exchange rate (as of Nov 2003) was 16 kyat to the dollar, but money changers can get you 1200 kyat to the dollar and it is this that you should keep in mind when bartering prices for goods.
Avoid giving money to beggars in Yangon and Mandalay (as painful as it might be to refuse them) but do buy handcrafts from street vendors and be generous at temples and monasteries. Definitely barter! It is expected virtually everywhere, even in some of the nicest hotels.
Money FEC/Kyat
Visitors to Myanmar used to have to change $200 into Foreign Exchange Certificates upon arrival. This was abolished in August 2003.
Eat
Burmese food is a blend of Chinese, Indian and Mon influences. Rice is at the core of most Burmese food, and good vegetarian food is widely available.
Drink
Mandalay Beer. 'Toddy juice', hta yei is popular in parts of central Myanmar. It is made from fermented palm sugar. Popular in the Shan State is shwe le maw, reportedly very strong.
Sleep
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Myanmar has a dangerous reputation, but it is generally quite safe for the visitor. You are likely to have your passport checked often, but that should be the extent of your hassles with the government. In the areas of the country you are permitted to go to, the chance of you being a victim of crime is remote. Night-time road travel is not recommended.
Various insurgent groups continue to operate in the Shan, Mon and Karen States of Burma, along the Thai and Chinese borders. Travel to these regions is generally not permitted by the Myanmar central government.
Stay healthy
Respect
The people of Myanmar are very conservative in their dress and behaviour and you should pay special attention to respecting their Buddhist traditions wherever you go, but particularly in the Temples and monasteries (of which there are thousands). Shorts and sleeveless shirts are frowned upon and in fact, are not allowed in shrines, temples and monasteries. Short skirts are also not recommended. You must also remove your shoes in these locations, so the easiest thing for a tourist is to dress like the locals!
For both men and women, this means a longyi, or wrap skirt similar to a sarong that you can purchase everywhere. They are wrapped in different ways for men and women, so find a local who can show you how to tie them. Also recommended are flipflops (called slippers by the locals) that can be easily slipped off and left at the temple entrance.
Also avoid t-shirts with images of Buddhas or Buddhist imagery which is considered highly disrespectful.
Give generously at temples and monasteries but be aware that most will not allow women to enter some of the more sacred areas. You can purchase gold leaf that is applied to Buddha statues, but again, women are generally not allowed, so don't make a fuss and respect this tradition!
When praying or paying respects, it is important to ensure that your feet do not point towards the Buddha or towards people. Tuck your feet underneath you when kneeling at shrines and temples.
Contact
International mail out of Myanmar is reportedly quite efficient. International phone calls can be arranged at the Central Telephone & Telegraph Office at the corner of Ponsodan and Mahanbandoola Streets in Yangon.
Access to the Internet is strictly limited. Some rudimentary internet cafes exist in Yangon, but it is not possible to access (for example) most common webmail providers.
External links
- More on Myanmar and other asian countries (http://wcools.freewww.info/Trip.htm)
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