About Myanmar
- Geography: Myanmar area covers 675,000 square km
- Capital: Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw) – new Capital
Border: Share border with China (2186 km), Laos (236 km), Thailand (1080 km)
Bangladesh (193 km) and India (1463 km).
Coastline: 1930 km surrounded by the Andaman Sea to the Bay of Bengal.
Currency: Kyat. 1 USD = 1,020 kyat
Climate: Three seasons, summer, winter and monsoon climates.
Different climate conditions topographical situation, the attitude influences the time. - The summer season begins mid-February to mid-May.
- Monsoon season starts in the mid-May to mid-October
- Winter season starts in mid-October to mid-FEB
Each season has its own attraction. During the rainy season, the rains mainly in its Coastal areas and the Delta region, there are many clear and nice days and landscapes are lush green. During this period, central and northern Myanmar including Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake are relatively free of rain.
Mountains and Rivers
The highest mountain in Myanmar is Lisu also know as as Hkakabo Razi which is 5881 meter high above sea level, the second highest would be Gam long Razi which is 5835 m. The longest and most important rivers are the Irrawaddy with its tributaries: the Chindwin, Sittaung and Thanlwin.
People and Languages
Population: Up to now the population of Myanmar is more than 53 million (annual rate of 1.61% growth). The major ethnic groups are Bamar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. In the whole countries there are about more than 100 ethnic groups.
Languages:
The main and official language is Myanmar. Most of other ethnic group have own languages and dialects. As a colony of Britain in the past, English is widely spoken and understood.
Literacy: The literacy rate ranges from less that 20 percent of the population to 83 percent of the adult population, depending on who’s asking. When the Myanmar government tried to apply for the “least developed nation” status in late 1980’s they stated the literacy rate was less than 1/5 of the population, but reports otherwise state a literacy rate of 83 percent of the adult population.
Religions: Buddhist Theravadas 89%, Christian 4%, 4% Muslim, 1% Hindu, animist 1%
International flights
From/to Yangon:
There are International flight from Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Doha, Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Chiang Mai, Dhaka, Delhi, Kunming and Taipei.
From/To Mandalay:
There are international flights from Mandalay to some major destinations in Asia as follow: Chiang Mai, Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Chiang Mai , Kunming, Imphal, Singapore, Gaya, Seoul-Incheon, Yangon, Osaka-Kansai (Charter), Singapore, Bangkok-Don (Mueang)
From/to Naypyidaw Airport (Nay Pyi Taw): There are international flight from Nay Pyi Taw to some destinations as follow: Kuala Lumpur, Mandalay, Mandalay, Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Kunming, Yangon, Heho, Mandalay,
There are some international airlines fly to Yangon:
Myanmar Airways International (8M), Air China (CA), Air Mandalay (GT), Bangkok Airways (PG), Bimen Bangladesh Airlines (BG), Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines (MU), Druk Airlines (KB), Indian Airlines Limited (IC), Lauda (OS), Malaysian Air Lines (MH), Mandarin Airlines (AE), Myanmar Airways Int’l (8M), PB Air (9R), Phuket Air (9R), Silk Air (M1), Thai Airways Int’l (TG), Vietnam Airlines (VN)
Domestic Airlines in Myanmar
There are domestic airlines such as Air Bagan, Air KBZ, Asian Wings Airways, Air Mandalay, Myanma Airways, Myanmar Airways International, Yangon Airways, Golden Myanmar Airlines, Mann Yatanarpon Airlines
Entry Visa Needs
A valid passport (at least 6 months) with an entry visa is required for all visitors to Myanmar.
Entry visas:
Tourists and business visas are valid for 28 days. You can extend your visa by extensions of 14 days or for a further period of 28 days. All visitors, including children over 7 years need a visa to enter the country. and all foreign visitors can obtain the entry visa through online .https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/Tourist
Health Concern
No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Vaccinations against Polio, Tetanus, and Hepatitis also recommended.
Food and drink
Myanmar food is influenced by the cuisine of Thailand and China is neighboring Indian recipes in the menu. You should drink only bottled water. It is not recommended to eat the raw vegetable.
Electricity
Electrical main power is 220-230 V / 50 Hz.
Airport transfer
Service taxis and private cars rented are available from the Yangon, Mandalay or Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.
Domestic Transportation
By Air:
Private Airlines, Yangon Airways, Air KBZ, Asia Wings and Yangon and Bagan flies Giua (Nyaung U), Mandalay (Thada U), Heho (Inle / Taunggyi) Tachilik, Kyaing Tong, Thandwe (Ngapali) and Sittwe (Mrauk U) and other points famous tourist sites.
By train:
Most Railway Myanmar is open to foreign tourist’s destinations such as Yangon – Mandalay Express train travel is the most popular. The train in Myanmar is basic and sometimes not clean. Please make sure that you bring enough warm clothes as at night it could be quite cold on the train.
Express Bus:
Private air-conditioned express coach from Yangon to Bagan play, Meikhtila, Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi, Kyaik HTI Yo, famous attractions, and other points. In Express Boat: Mandalay – Bagan are double-decked express boats plying on a day trip.
Post and Telecommunications
The Central Post Office located at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Street-ins and Strand Road in Yangon. Works 09: 30 to 4:30 p.m. This offer international calls, telex and fax nearly visiting the major sites.
Mobile Phone (Cell phone):
Prepaid Sim card now is available for domestic and International Call. Prepaid sim card of Government and Private Run Mobile Telecommunication services in Myanmar are booming and becoming reliable . you can buy prepaid sims card of your choice everywhere including Yangon and Mandalay International Airport .Prepaid sim card of MPT, OOREDOO ,TELENOR and MYTEL
Office Hours in Myanmar
Government office and Business hours: 9:30 to 16:30. Monday to Saturday.
Dress
Cotton clothing and a light jacket for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. Please tranh be wearing shorts, tank tops or sleeveless shirts KHI visit temples and pagodas. Footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries. Whenever dress modestly.
Time
Myanmar Standard Time (MST) is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT / UTC).
Climate and temperature
Myanmar has three distinctive seasons; winter, summer and monsoon season.
Hot season – March to May (summer)
Medium temperature: 30 to 35 degrees centigrade
Rainy season – June to September (monsoon)
Medium temperature: 25 to 30 degrees centigrade
Average rainfall: 75 cm
Cool season – October to February (winter)
Average temperature: 20-24 degrees centigrade
Shopping
Best buys in Myanmar include lacquer, silver, wood and stone carvings, silks and hand-woven cotton, gemstones, traditional crafts, and puppets. All gems and jewelry purchases made by authorized government dealers who must issue an official receipt, required for export of items
Local currency
Myanmar currency is known as the “kyat” (pronounced Chatt). At the time of writing the exchange rate for Kyat to the USA is 1 USD = 1,400 Kyat. Some major hotels and some restaurants (very few) accept major credit cards Visa or Master. The easiest way is to pay in cash in USD or Kyat
Business / Social Councils
An appointment should be made in advance and punctuality is appreciated in Myanmar. For business meetings, men wear a lightweight suit and tie. Women should wear modest clothing.
In Myanmar, it is customary to shake hands on first meeting and leave. Business cards are exchanged after the introduction. Many government officials speak good English. Visitors should be receptive to local customs and conventions.
In social occasions, an invitation to a restaurant should not be punctual and dress as for business meetings.
Traveling in Myanmar
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel in a Myanmar tour package is by air. Some popular airlines would be Air KBZ, Yangon Airways, and Asia Wing , Golden Myanmar Airlines , Mann Yadanarbon Airline. Railways, ferries, and coaches also are used for tours offer by Panorami Myanmar Tours. The car, van, and coaches used are later models, fully air-conditioned vehicles. You should bring your Passport when traveling outside of Yangon.