Myanamar
(Burma)
Myanmar (Burma) is one of the
poorest but at the same time one of
the most fascinating countries of Southeast Asia and these two seemingly opposed
attributes are more over connected. The country is poor because for decades its
government fiercely protected it from almost each foreign influence, which is also the
reason for its fascinating character. Travelling to Myanmar is not only a voyage into a
different geographic region, but also a voyage into another time.
How far back into the past one travels depends of course on the destinations one chooses
inside Myanmar. If you compare the Burmese capital Yangon (Rangoon) to the Thai
capital Bangkok, the voyage may take you 30 to 40 years back into the past. On the other
hand, a visit to backwash hill tribes can equal a voyage into the middle ages!
In the native tongue Burma's name has always been Myanmar. In 1989 the Burmese
military government issued a decree that the country be known by the name of Myanmar
among the international community. Since then in official publications and in diplomatic
exchanges only Myanmar is mentioned referring to the country, which so far most people
had been accustomed to calling Burma. But unofficially the name Burma is still very much
in use.
International Flights
Yangon has direct air-links with Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Dhaka, Kunming, Moscow and Vientiane. Six International
Airlines including Myanmar Airways International operate scheduled flights in and out of Yangon. They are Thai Airways
international, Silk Air, Biman, CAAC and Aeroflot. Myanmar Airways International operates six flights a week to Bangkok,
thrice-weekly to Singapore and twice-weekly to Hong Kong.
Domestic Flight
Myanmar Airways operates scheduled flights to all parts of the country and special daily flights for tourists to Bagan,
Mandalay and Heho (Taunggyi) during the tourist season.
Tickets are available at Myanmar Airways Offices in Yangon and major tourist centers.
Railways
Myanmar has a large rail network and Myanmar Railways operates many lines of which Yangon-Mandalay is the main with
many trunk lines. Special counters are opened for tourists at Yangon, Thazi and Mandalay stations. For more information
tourists are advised to consult with Tourist Information Service or Vision World International Travel & Tours.
Road Transport
There is a large network of roads all over the country and all the tourist sites are accessible by road. Road Transport
operates regular bus services linking major tourist centers.
For more information tourists should consult with Tourist Information Service, Myanmar Travels and Tours, and Vision
World International Travels & Tours.
Inland Water Transport
Myanmar is endowed with many rivers and a large deltaic area and Inland Water Transport operates a huge net-work of
waterways transport. Sailing down the majestic Ayeyarwady River is a rewarding experience for all traveller. Mostly tourists
enjoy taking daylong boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan. In Irawaddy Delta, Pathein (Bassein) is easily accessible and it is
becoming popular as a tourist site.
Mail
The Yangon Central Post Office is located at 39, Bo Aung Kyaw Street. All post offices in Myanmar are open 9:30 am. to
4:30 pm., Monday through Friday. Mail Boxes at most hotels and postage stamps are available at reception counters.
Telephone
Overseas calls can be made through operators at the hotels and Central Telegraph Office. IDD telephones are also available
but only at some Government Offices,companies, and hotels.
Public telephones are available at the airports, railway stations and department stores.
Telex & Fax
Telex and Fax services are available at the hotels and the Central Telegraph Office, 125 Pansodan Street, Yangon.
Entry Procedure (Airport)
1. To show your passport, entry-visa, disembarkation card and other relevant documents to the officers at the
immigration counter (foreigners' section)
2. To exchange 300 US $ for F.E.C. at the counter of Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB):
3. To let customs officers examine your passport and declaration forms at the customs counter;
4. To pick up your luggage taken in by the conveyor-belt;
5. To declare, if any, electrical goods/ camera /jewellery and foreign currencies at the customs counter;
6. To settle custom duties, if required, through the red channel;
7. To let customs preventive officers inspect your luggage;
8. To let immigration officers re-examine your passport.
Departure Procedure (Airport)
1. To get your ticket confirmed at the airlines concerned;
2. To pay the airport tax (6 US $ in cash) at the airport;
3. To show your passport and airport tax receipt at the counter of the airline concerned so as to receive your
boarding-pass;
4. To let the immigration officers examine your passport and embarkation card;
5. To submit your passport and declaration form at the customs counter;
6. To let the customs preventive officers inspect your luggare;
7. To go through a body-search.
To Mail Your Letter
The easiest way to mail your letter in Yangon is to get it done by your hotel reception clerk. Otherwise, you can mail them by
yourself through a pillar-box located at the corners of all main roads and streets. The Central Post Office is situated at the
corner of Bo Aung Kyaw street and Strand Road. The letters are collected twice by the time of 11.00 a.m. amd 2.00 p.m.
Thus, you can mail your letters before the points of time indicated.
Air letter (at the cost of 3.50 Kyats per piece) can be mailed anywhere without being stamped.
Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards
The acceptable Traveller's Cheques:
1. Master Card Traveller's Cheque
2. American Express Traveller's Cheque
3. Bank of Tokyo Traveller's Cheque
4. CITI Corp Traveller's Cheque
5. Visa Traveller's Cheque
6. Bank of America Traveller's Cheque
7. National Westminster Bank Ltd Traveller's Cheque
8. First National CITI Bank Traveller'sCheque
9. Swiss Bankers Traveller's Cheque
10. Commonwealth Bank of Australia Traveller's Cheque
The Acceptable Credit Cards:
1. American Express Credit Card
2. Master Credit Card
3. Visa Credit Card
4. Diners Club Credit Card
Free Import:
(1) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 0.5 lb of tobacco;
(2) 1 quart of alcoholic liquor;
(3) 1 pint bottle of perfume or Eau de Cologne;
Pets:
Passengers are allowed to bring their personal pets on condition that they are accompainied with health certificates.
Currencies: Click Here For Currency Exchange
Unlimited amount of foreign currencies can be imported on arrival although the local currency (Kyats) is prohibited;
Myanmar currency is Kyat which comprises 100 pyas.
Notes: Kyat 500, Kyat 200,
Kyat 100, Kyat 90, Kyat 50,
Kyat 45, Kyat 20 ,Kyat 15,
Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1, Pya 50,
Coins: Kyat 1,pya 50, pya 25,
pya 10, pya 5, pya 1.
Visitors are not to bring in or take
out Kyats.
Passport and Visa
Valid Passport with Visa is required for all visitors. Tourist Visa is to be applied at Myanmar Missions abroad.
With a Border Pass, tourists from Yunnan have been allowed to enter Lwage, Namhkan, Muse, Kyukokand Kun-lone.
Organised groups can travel up to Yangon via Lashio and Mandalay. On Myanmar-Thai Border. Tourists can enter Tachilek
opposite Mae Sai (Thailand) and travel to Kyaing Tong. From Kyaing Tong, organised groups can go to Sipxhaungbana
(Yunnan) via Mai-Lar. Day Return Cross-border traffic is also allowed at Ayeyawaddy, Three-Pagoda Pass and
Kawthaung.
Vaccination
No vaccination certificate is required unless coming from an infected area.
Customs
Foreigner and non-resident can bring into Myanmar any foreign currency not in excess of US $ 2,000 , or its equivalent
without making a declaration to the Customs on arrival.
All foreign currencies, jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the airport.
Exports of antique and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems, jewellery and silverware purchased at the
authorized shops are allowed to be taken out.
Clothing
Thin cotton is the best. A warm sweater or light jacket may be necessary in the cool season.
Media
Radio Myanmar is on the air in English from 8:30 hours to 9:00 hours in the morning, 13:30 hours to 14:00 hours in the
afternoon and 21:00 hours to 22:30 hours in the evening.
Newpaper
The New Light of Myanmar is the only newspaper in English. Four Newspapers in Myanmar - "Myanma Alin", "Kyemon"
(the Mirror), Myodaw (evening tabloid) and "Yadanabon",
Dress
Light causal wear for all year round. A cardigan or light sweater for the cool season especially when vislting Upper
Myanmar, like Mandalay or Bagan. An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season. Sandals or stippers are convenient as
all foot wears must be taken off when entering the precincts of pagodas and monasteries. Visltors must not wear shorts or
briefs when vislting pagodas and monasteries.
Myanmar Food
The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. Some Myanmar curries are spicy and there is always fish paste in many
forms with salad. Soup mostly made of vegetables is taken together with rice and other dishes.
"Mohinga", rice noodles with fish gravy is favourite for breakfast and "Ohn-No Khaukswe" (noodles with coconut chicken
curry) is the most popular among Myanmar foods.
Favourite desserts are sanwin-ma-kin (Myanmar sweet cakes made with semolina, sugar, egg, butter and coconut),
Myanmar style banana cakes, Kyaukchaw (sea weed Jelly) and jaggery.
Other Foods
Chinese foods both Cantonese and Fukienese are popular among Myanmars and there are Chinese Restaurants in almost
every town. Indian food like Kababs, birani are also popular with Myanmar palate. European food is available only at
restaurant Hotels.
Business Hours
Government Offices 09:30 - 16:30 hrs
Bank 10:00 - 14:00 hrs
When to come
Festivals form the core of Myanmar social and religious activities. Full moon day of each month of Myanmar calendar has its
own festive occasion. Following is a list of well known festivals in Myanmar:
Thingyan Water Festival:
This traditional festival falls around 13th April and ushers to the Myanmar New Year. It is the merriest festival held for three
or four days when people pour water over one another and there is much singing and dancing at decorated pandals. Boys
and girls also go round in cars and enJoy themselves splashing water at one anotber. Pouring water is believed to cleanse the
body and mind of evils of the year that was left behind.
There is merriment and fun galore. But it is not all fun and play; the elderly and the pious perform a lot of meritorious deeds to
usher in the New Year. People keep Sabbath; go to pagodas; and offer food and alms to monks. Children and youths too
welcome the New Year by paying respects to their parents, teachers and elders. To gain merit, fish and cattle are also set
free. Through merriment and fun and through meritorious and pious deeds, the Myanmars usher in a New Year.
The Kason Festival:
It falls on the full moon day of Kason according to the Myanmar Calendar (early May). The full moon of Kason is a day of
threefold significance - the day the Buddha was born, the day He attained Enlightenment and the day of His demise. Men and
women of all ages go to pagodas in procession to pour water on the sacred Bo Tree. This is done as a mark of veneration to
the Buddha who attained Enlightenment sitting under the Bo Tree.
The Waso Festival:
Full moon day of Waso in July commemorates the Buddha's first sermon. It also marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent. New
robes and other temporal requirements are offered to the monks in the pomp and pageantry. Young people also go out and
gather flowers of the season to offer at the pagodas.
Thadingyut Festival (Festival of Lights):
This festival held on the full moon day of Thadingyut in October marks the end of the Budditst Lent. It lasts for three days
during which houses and streets in cities and towns are brilliantly illuminated. Pagodas are also crowded with people doing
meritorious deeds. It is not only a time of joy but also of thanks giving and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders.
Tazaungdaing Festival:
This festival is held on the full moon day of Tazaungmon according to the Myanmar Calendar (mid-November). Houses and
public buildings are colourfully illuminated everywhere. Kathina robes and other requisites are offered to the Holy Order at
Kahtein festival (ceremony of offering robes to monks). The offering of Mathothigan is held on the eve of the Full Moon Day
of Tazaungmon. Mathothingan is a robe that is woven in a day. Today, teams of weavers compete with one another to
complete weaving robes overnight. The woven robes are then offered to the great images of Buddha.
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival:
The festival of Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda in In-le Lake in the Shan State held in October is the biggest occasion of the Lake.
The images of the Buddha from Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda are placed on an decorated royal barge called Karaweik (Mythical
bird) and taken around the Lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. The festival is held with great pomp and
pageantry. Fun fairs and dances are also held. The unique and most interesting event of the festival, is of course, the holding
of boat races participated by leg-rowers -- both men and women.
Pagoda Festivals:
Pagoda festivals are held for each pagoda. These festivals could be viewed as the Myanmar equivalent of western fun fairs.
In a pagoda festival, one can find food stalls, toy shops, shops selling sundry consumer goods, magic shows, puppet shows
and dramas. People -- young and old -- simply love to have a stroll around the place where there is a pagoda festival.
Elephant Dance Festival:
En route from Yangon to Mandalay, there lies a thriving town called 'Kynuk-se in Upper Myanmar -- situated some 26 miles
to the south of Mandalay. This town is noted particularly for the elephant dance which is performed at annual Light Festival in
the month of Thadingyut (October). The main feature of this festival is the elepant dance accompanied by colourful
pegeantries -- on live size white paper elephant decked with regal trappings carries on its back a replica of the sacred Tooth
of Buddha or some relies of an Arahat while a black paper elephant follows as the finale of the procession. Each of these
paper elephants is borne and animated by two men inside. The black paper elephant dance merrily to the procession music
and thus it is the centre of attraction during the carnival.
Nowadays, the elephant dance no longer sticks to its native town alone. It has become one of the highlights in many
auspicious celebrations throughout the country.
Where to shop in Yangon
Bogyoke Aung San Market
This market was first built and inaugurated on the present premises in 1926. It was named Scott Market after Mr. C. Scott,
the then Municipal Commissioner. Nowadays, it is called Bogyoke Aung San Market in honour of our national leader
General Aung San who was assas- sinated in 1947. Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon -- on
Bogyoke Aung San Road. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, ,jewellery, fashion
and consumer goods. The market is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM except on Sundays and gazetted holidays. Even
though its opened at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM would be the best time to visit, when the entire market is fully opened.
New Bo Gyoke Market
This market is situated on the opposite side of the Bo Gyoke market, where imported textiles, household appliances,
medicines etc.. are largely available.
Mingala Market
This is the biggest wholesale market in Yangon where a variety of commodities are distributed all over the country.
Thiri Mingala Market
A large variety of marine products (fresh water/salt water) are sold here. The various kinds of vegetables are also available in
bulk.
Bayintnaung Market
This Market is situated in Insein Township (just half an hour drive from the city). It is the source of distribution concerning
beans and pulses which are the major export items of Myanmar. Other consumer goods are also available at this market.
Chinatown
An evening stroll in Chinatown, you will have great time in experiencing Chinese restaurants, minimarkets, gold shops,
roadside status, and many others.
Where to Shop in Mandalay
Mandalay where merchants of the Upper (Inland) and of the Lower (Deltaic and Coastal) Myanmar usually converge on, has
been a centre of trade since its emergence in 1857. Nowadays, the legalization of the border trade has given rise to a boom
of economy in Mandalay. One can buy a wide range of modern commodities in Mandalay, imported chiefly from China,
India, and Thailand. Furthermore, you can also buy a variety of Myanmar's traditionai handicrafts there.
Zegyo Market
This Market is the most famous shopping centre in Mandalay, where you can buy innumerable items of consumers goods,
household appliances, etc. made in China, India and Thailand. Besides, fine handicrafts and jewellery of Myanmar origin are
also available. Zegyo Market is situated in the downtown area.
Mingala Bazaar
This is near to the Mandalay General Hospital, where various commodities are dealt in wholesale as well as retail.
Phatahe Bazaar
For those who are keen on collecting souvenirs, Phayagyi bazaar is much to the purpose. In fact, this bazaar stocks the
articles exclusively concerning the services of worship and prayer to the Lord Buddha. This Bazaar is located near the Great
Maha Muni Pagoda.
Nyaung Pin Bazaar
This is the largest grocery and green grocery in Mandalay. There are a variety of food stuffs produced from the Shan States
in this Bazaar.
Chinatown
An evening in Mandalay can be spent shopping round the Chinatown. In so doing, you can also taste the exotic delicacies of
the region.
