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).

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