|
Myanmar (Burma)
At 678,033 square kilometres (261,789 square miles), Myanmar
is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. It
extends 2100 kilometres (1300 miles) from the snow-capped
Himalayas in the north to the pristine Myeik Archipelago to
the south. Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh, India, China,
Laos and Thailand, as well as by the Bay of Bengal and
Andaman Sea. Running through the centre of the country is
the 2000-kilometre (1240-mile) Ayeyarwady River, an
important avenue of transportation.
People
Myanmar is divided into seven divisions and seven states,
with each of the seven states named after one of the
country’s main national groups: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,
Mon, Rakhine and Shan. These national groups are subdivided
into more than 130 distinct ethnicities with their own
cultures and dialects. At 65 percent, the Bamar make up the
majority of the population.
Religion
Myanmar is 87 percent Buddhist, the majority of whom are
Theravada Buddhists. However, there are also significant
populations of Christians, Muslims, Hindus and animists in
many areas. Buddhism has a great influence on the daily
lives of people in Myanmar, easily seen in the respect shown
to elders and the devotion shown to the Buddha at the many
pagodas throughout the country.
Language
The majority of people speak Myanmar’s official language of
Burmese but more than 100 distinct language and dialects are
spoken in different parts of the country. English is used
widely in urban areas and popular tourist sites.
Climate
Myanmar has three distinct seasons. The dry, cool winter
season lasts from mid-October until the end of February.
Temperatures start climbing in March, reaching their peak
during the May summer season, when some areas of central
Myanmar can see the mercury reach 35 degrees Celsius.
However, mountain and beach areas are substantially cooler.
Monsoon lasts from mid-May until mid-October, bringing
precious rain to the country. Even then, the central plains
see relatively light precipitation, bringing lower
temperatures and pleasant greenery to places like Mandalay
and Bagan.
Visa and
passport
It is advisable that all travellers to Myanmar
obtain a visa in advance. A foreign individual tourist (FIT)
visa is valid for 28 days and may be extendable in Myanmar,
subject to current regulations. Visas can be obtained at
Myanmar embassies or consulates worldwide. A passport with a
minimum of six months of validity is required.
Customs and
arrival/departure formalities
Duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one
litre of wine or spirits. The export of Buddha images,
gemstones and antiques without an official dealer’s receipt
is prohibited. No Myanmar currency can be imported or
exported.
Currency
The national currency of Myanmar is the kyat
(pronounced “chat”). US dollars are widely accepted but it
is advisable to bring new dollars, as many vendors will not
accept damaged notes. Kyats are more practical for
use in small transactions such as at local markets. Myanmar
is a cash society. Using credit cards or travellers checks,
or exchanging other foreign currencies such as euro may not
be possible in some places.
Posts and
communications
The postal service in Myanmar can be
unpredictable. Letters and postcards can be sent from most
major hotels but those mailed overseas sometimes may not
reach their destinations. Most hotels have IDD lines but
charges can very widely so it is advisable to check rates
before making calls. Public phones that use prepaid phone
cards or call-back systems are not available. Internet is
available at some hotels and cafes. However, it is difficult
to access private email accounts such as Yahoo or Hotmail.
Service is unavailable for mobile phones brought from
outside the country.
Health
Vaccinations are not obligatory. Care should be taken with
food and drink, especially from street vendors. Visitors
should drink only bottled or boiled water. Insect repellent
should be used to avoid mosquito bites. We also recommend
that all visitors obtain travellers insurance before coming
to Myanmar.
Electricity
The power supply is 220-250V 50Hz. The power line is 440V.
Visitors are advised to bring a multi-plug adaptor for
electronics.
Time
Myanmar Standard Time (MST) is 6½ hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT/UTC). To find the current time anywhere in
the world, check www.timeanddate.com on the internet. The
24-hour clock (for example, 18.00 instead of 6pm) is often
used for train and flight times.
Safety and
security
Myanmar is an extremely safe country for travel, as foreign
visitors are seen as guests rather than targets for crime.
However, as with travel anywhere, it is a good idea to keep
track of your personal belongings at all times. Please keep
your passport at your hotel in a safe deposit box while
sightseeing. When travelling overland or by air, it is best
to keep your passport in your carry-on luggage.
Gratuities
If you are happy with the service provided, USD1 or USD2
would be much appreciated by restaurant/hotel staff. A 10
percent service charge and 10 percent government tax is
added to the bill at most restaurants and hotels.
What to bring
Extra passport photos
Photocopy of your passport (first two pages and page with
Myanmar visa)
Sun block, sunglasses, hat, umbrella
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Small flashlight
Personal medical kit
Mosquito repellent
Anti-diarrhoea medication
Hygienic tampons (only sanitary napkins are widely available
in Myanmar)
A set of smart eveningwear for at least one elegant dinner,
if desired
What to wear
Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothes
A light wrap
Warm sweater or jacket, windbreaker, socks (especially for
winter or highland areas)
Sturdy sandals (easily removable, for visiting temples)
Walking shoes and cotton socks
Cultural
etiquette
Myanmar is a Buddhist country. Please dress and act with
respect, especially when visiting temples and religious
sites.
Wearing shorts or tank tops is considered
impolite.
Wearing swimsuits or trunks should be limited to the beach
or hotel pool.
Shoulders and knees should be covered.
Please remove shoes when entering
pagodas, temples and monasteries.
Please refrain from patting children on
the head, or from pointing your fingers or feet towards
people or Buddha images.
When to visit
Myanmar
The high season is from mid-October to
mid-February. Temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is
rare, making it a great time to visit all destinations
throughout the country.
Warm temperatures and sunny skies make the summer season,
from March to April, a good time to relax at the beach.
While central regions of Myanmar can be very hot during
these two months, the weather remains relatively cool in
mountainous areas, so trips to Kachin State and Shan State –
including Inle Lake, Kalaw and Kengtung – are popular at
this time of year.
Moderate rainfall from May to October brings lower
temperatures and lush plant life to central Myanmar, so
places like Bagan, Mandalay are prime
destinations. Heavier rains in coastal and mountain areas
make travel to some of these regions difficult.
 |
