General Information & Facts for Guests
 

Location

Situated in the South-east Asia Peninsular and flanked by five neighboring countries: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.

Size

With an area of 676,577 square kilometers nearly the size of United Kingdom and France combined, the largest country in South-east Asia.

Capital

Yangon (Rangoon)

Population

Myanmar is over 53 million with over 130 ethnic groups.

Climate

Myanmar, like most other semitropical countries has three seasons. The dry season is from March to May with average temperature of between 25-30˙C, the rainy season from June to September. The cool season from November to February with average temperature of 15-24˙C. Climate vary from region to region due to the country's diverse geography. In the dry Zone like Mandalay and Bagan Temperature can reach about 45'C in hottest month (April - May). With northern part of the country being a part of Himalayas, its temperature often falls under freezing-point in the cool seasons. The annual rainfall is 300-500 cm in the costal areas and 150-200 cm in the delta regions. The best time to visit is during the cool season.

Flora & Fauna

With Myanmar being covered with thick forests, flanked by sea and a mountainous country, a great variety of wild animals make them their homes. According to the record of forestry department, it has a variety of 300 mammal species, 300 reptiles and 1000 bird species. With the country's diverse geography, the flora ranges from sub alpine forests in the north through thorn forests in the central region to tropical rain forests in the south and mangrove in the delta region.

Characteristics

Myanmar is one of the most interesting and colorful independent country in Asia and largest country in south Asia. The people are of Tibet-Mongolian stock, with brown cheerful faces; they dress in bright and vivid clothes. They are friendly, hospitable to visitors and generous in spirit and have a true desire to make the tourist happy and comfortable. Myanmar is a land of vast expanses of rice fields and pristine teak forests stretch up the hills with rich flora and fauna. Myanmar is also known as the land of Pagodas, where the dominant feature of any scene is the golden Buddha pagoda. In this land of precious stones, rubies, jades and sapphires are of distinctive interest. Compared to other Southeast Asia countries Myanmar is the only country in Southeast Asia, where ice and snow capped mountains are situated. Nothing has changed the basic beauty of Myanmar.

Religion

The main religions of the country are Buddhism (over 85 %). Others are Christianities, Muslims, Hindus and Animism. With regard to religions there is no discrimination in Myanmar.

Time Difference

Six hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT, and one hour difference with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand.

Working Time

Government offices are open from 9:30 to 4:30 except on weekend. Business Firms are from 9:00 to 5:30 except on Sunday. Banks are from 9:30 to 2:00.

Calendar of holidays

Myanmar national holidays include: Jan 4 (Independence day), Feb 12 (Union Day ), Mar 02 (Peasants' Day), Mar 13 (Full moon Day of Tabaung ), Mar 27 (Armed Forces Day ), April 13-17 (Water Festival & Myanmar New Year), May 1 (May Day), May 11 (Full moon Day of Kason), Jul 9 (Full moon Day of Waso/ Beginning of Buddhist Lent), July 19 (Martyrs' Day), Oct 6 (Thadingyut Festival of Lights/ End of Buddhist Lent), Nov 4 (Tazaungmon Festival of Lights), Nov 14 (National Day) and December 19( Kayin New Year), Dec 25 (Christmas Day).

Language

Myanmar is the local language. English are wildly understood in big cities.

Currency

The unit of Myanmar currency is the kyat, divided into 100 pyars and are issued in 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates) are issued in 20, 10, 5, 1 denominations.

Exchange

The official exchange rate is 6 kyats to US$-1. Exchange may be made only at authorized airports, hotels and money changers who will change US$ into FEC and kyat at market rate as Myanmar has strict restrictions on the exchange of Foreign currency. Being equivalent to the U.S dollar, FECs are accepted by hotels, airlines, travel agencies, shop and as payment of admission fees to museums and Pagodas. The market rate is subject to change without prior notice. International credit cards and traveler cheques are not widely used. Master card is not accepted in Myanmar. It is strongly advisable to bring only US$ in cash in small denominations.
No Myanmar currency is allowed to bring out and to take in.

How to get there

The connecting airlines are Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Phuket Airline, Silk Air, Air China, Biman Airlines, Indian Airlines, Eva Air, Mandarin Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, Druk Air, Lauda Air and Quatar Air.

Embassies and Consulates Abroad

Australia (Canberra), Canada (Ottawa), France (Paris), Germany (Bonn), Hong Kong, Indonesia (Jakarta), Israel (Tel Aviv), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), China (Beijing, Kuming), Malaysia (Kuala Lampur), Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland (Geneva), Thailand (Bangkok), UK (London), USA (Washington DC), Vietnam (Hanoi), Laos (Viangchan), India (New Delhi), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Nepal (Kathmandu), USSR (Moscow), Egypt (Cairo), Pakistan (Islammabad), Philippine (Manila), South Korea (Seoul), Sir Lanka ( Colombo), Yugoslavia( Belgrade)

Passport & Visa

All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas. Tourist visas are valid for 28 days and extendable for and additional 14 days. It can be applied to Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa on arrival can be obtained at the Yangon Airport, but pre arrangement required. Tourists with border passes are allowed to enter through check points at Muse, Nam-Khan, Kyu-gok, lwe-je and kun-lone from Yunan Province and Tachileik, Myawaddy, Three Pagoda pass and Kawthaung from Thailand.

Customs

All foreign currency (in excess of US$ 2000), jewelry, cameras, radios, cassette player, calculators, etc must be declared at the airport on arrival and keep a copy of the customs declaration form to be presented on departure. Antiques and archaeologically valuable items are not allowed to be taken out. Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes, 100 cigars and ½ liter of perfume for personal use are allowed duty free. Your luggage is subject to inspection with X-ray by the customs authorities before departure.

Accommodations

There are several hotels, but accommodation standard in Myanmar still vary widely in quality. International standard hotels are available in Yangon and Mandalay. There are hotels of every type available. You can live luxuriously and modestly, depending upon your budget. Accommodations in Remote are on very simple basic.

What to wear

With weather being generally warm and dry, it is advisable to bring light clothing and comfortable shoes.
Sandals are recommended for touring cities so as to be easily taken off. It is also recommended to bring Sweater and hiking shoes/ boots for trips in mountain areas.

Transportation

Domestic air services between major destinations have improved greatly over recent years. There are daily air flights from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan, Heho ( Inlay ), Kyaingtong and Tachileik and daily train services from Yangon to Mandalay, and also bus services from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan and Inle. Public trains, ferryboats and bus services are still generally unreliable and uncomfortable. But train services between Yangon and Mandalay are popular with tourists. Myanmar Alpine Excursion Tourism Co., Ltd provides air-conditioned coaches, minivan and car for all tour and transfers but air-conditioned vehicles may not always be available in remote areas.

Note: Travel to remote areas especially to restricted areas without permit and guide is not allowed. But permission for remote areas can be obtained on application.

Food

Myanmar food is strikingly similar to Indian and Thai food and consists of rice and curry. Curry dishes are generally meat or vegetables or a mixture, cooked with a liberal admixture of spices, pepper, onions and sesames oil. Curries tend to be less chili-hot than Thai version. Most hotels and restaurant in major cities serve Chinese, Thailand, Indian dishes but European cuisine is mostly served in major hotels at present.

Photography

You'll probably wish to take many pictures as a record of your trip. As noted, Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation, evidences of poverty is for bidden. For close-shots, be sure to obtain permission from local people before taking their picture. Camera equipments are available in large city Yangon and Mandalay. If possible, take plenty of film, not being reliable as locally.

Cultural Information

There is no restriction on clothes. But, with Buddhism having a great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar people, visitors are required to wear proper clothing within the precincts of religious building. Ladies should not wear shorts and bra-less/ sleeveless buses or T-shirt in such places. Disregard of these rules amount to serious cultural and religious offence to the devote Myanmar people. Whenever entering religious grounds, never fail to remove your shoes, sandals and socks.

Language services

Although the tours are conducted in English, other languages are available on application such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Korean etc.

Motion Picture

Foreign pictures are usually shown with the English and their respective original sound tracks. Movie performances are not continuous. All first class theaters are air-conditioned.

Music

Myanmar traditional music can be heard only on some occasions but Kalaweik Hall (restaurant) provides you an excellent chance to enjoy the Myanmar tradition music with traditional dances during your dinner.

Shops and Stores

Stores are open daily from 8:30 A.M to 9:00 P.M. In the main cities of Myanmar like Yangon and Mandalay there are stores selling most of the required commodities. Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly hand-made, are the best souvenirs at reasonable prices. Lacquer wares, wood and ivory craving, tapestries, brassware, silverware, silk, cotton, traditional garments and gems are items of interest. Bogyoke Aung Sun Market (Scott Market) is the best place for one-stop shopping.

Health Requirements

At the time of printing there is no necessity to obtain any special inoculations or vaccinations for Myanmar (Burma) unless coming from infected areas. You should bring a first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect/ mosquito repellent and any special medication you may require.

Water

Water in most large cities is reliable. Pure bottled water is plentiful and widely available. Travelers are advised to drink only boiled water in mountain areas. Complimentary pure bottled water is provided to all visitors on touring cities and also boiled water is served on trekking tour in remote mountain areas.

Electric current

Electricity is 220-230 Volts AC in most areas. Check at your hotel before using your electrical appliances.

Telecommunication

International and domestic fax, E-mail and calls are available at most hotels and big cities. Internet access mushrooms in everywhere in big cities. You will not have any problems.

Medical Facilities

There are private hospitals where good doctors are in attendance in large cities.

Airport Tax

US$ 10 per person (on departure)

Meeting on arrival

After passing airport immigration and customs control points, travelers will be met by our representative or guide in arrival hall, displaying an Alpine Excursion Tourism sing or names of guests or your group so as to recognize easily.

Security

Myanmar being one of the friendliest and safest travel destinations in the world, there is no racism or violence in Myanmar but tourist police is newly set up for security and helping the visitors effectively.

Spiritual nature of Myanmar People

According to the spiritual nature of Myanmar people, they always want to lead a morally pure life in their life time, keeping the five precepts, performing good deeds which involve feeding monks, offering food to monks, giving alms and conducting other charitable acts. Out of their great compassion, they always keep their loving-kindness toward all sentient beings. Being able to be satisfied with what the have, they always try only to have the quality of Buddhist religious life rather than possessing the quantity of material property. In addition, they are very much afraid of having to do evils and offences. They never try even to commit mentally such offences as robbery, kidnapping, murder and rape etc --- not to mention do physically them. For this reason, there are no harms and terrorist attacks on tourists as well in our country. Due to both our excellent security situation and gentle spiritual nature, you can go everywhere in our cities at any time of day and night without any fear of being robbed, rapped or murdered. To attack on tourists is simple unthinkable. Our deep-rooted custom is to treat our visitors or guests in the best possible manner and to make their guests happy.
Hence, don’t miss making an excursion to Myanmar (Burma).

Back to Top