Geography

Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country of some 676,000 sq. km and is situated between Thailand and Laos on the east, Bangladesh to the west and China and India to the north. The Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea lay to the south. For administrative purposes, it is comprised of 7 divisions (where Burmans are in the majority), and 7 states with non-Burman majority; Shan, Kachin, Chin, Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin, and Mon. The total population is around 50 million, of which more than 4 million reside in the capital of Yangon. The second largest city is Mandalay, in central Myanmar, population one million. Officially the government recognizes 67 different ethnic groups but others count as many as 135.

People

Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects. The major races are the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Mon, the Bamar, the Rakhine, and the Shan. The name Myanmar embraces all the ethnic groups.

Composition of the Different Ethnic Groups under the 8 Major National Ethnic Races in Myanmar.

Climate and Weather

Myanmar has a tropical climate with three general seasons, the rainy season, the cool season and the hot season. The rainy season is from mid-May to mid-October; the cool season from mid-October to mid-February to and the hot season from mid-February to mid-May before the rains begin. The best time to visit Myanmar is from mid-October to mid-May during open season.

Visa Requirements

A tourist visa for Myanmar can be obtained from any Myanmar embassy or consulate office worldwide. Visas are valid for 28 days and can take from one day to 2 weeks to obtain depending on the embassy involved and current regulations. Visa extensions may be obtained in Myanmar. There are 2 types of Visa for Myanmar:

"FIT" (Free Independent Travelers) requires the holder to purchase USD 200 worth of "FEC" (Foreign Exchange Certificates) upon arrival. Within Myanmar, FEC are interchangeable with US dollars and amounts purchased in excess of USD 200 can be changed back into US Dollars at the airport on departure.

"Package tour visa" is only issued to travelers who have made all the tour arrangement in Myanmar prior arrival at Myanmar. NO FEC purchase is required. A "package tour visa" can be obtained by an authorization letter issued by the travel company to certify all arrangement have been made and paid for in advance.

Airport Departure Tax :

Departure tax is US$ 10 per person. It is advisable to reconfirm International flights going out the country. The flights schedules may change due to weather conditions.

Duty Free Shops

For visitors’ convenience, there are Duty-Free Shops in the airport arrival and departure lounges. Allowance is 2 Liters of liquor, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars and ½ liter of perfumes.

Money

The Myanmar currency is known as the "Kyat", (pronounced chaat). The official exchange rate is about 6 Kyat per 1 USD but the "real" rate is much higher and can fluctuate quite a lot at times. Visitors may now change their dollars into FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates) and can then change their FEC legally into local currency at the market rate. Travelers Cheque in USD, BP sterling, Japanese Yen, DM, FF, and SF are accepted at the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and at licensed money changers but the purchasing order from the issuing bank is required. Cheque can be cashed at the MFTB branch at the airport or downtown. British Pounds, French Francs, and German Deutche Marks may also be converted into FEC upon arrival at the customs hall at Yangon Airport. However, these currencies are not always accepted elsewhere except at licensed moneychangers. There are no ATMs, and as travelers Cheque can only rarely be changed into the local currency, cash is the only way to go. US dollars give the best exchange rate. Apart from Euros, other currencies will rarely be exchanged.  Major hotels and some (very few) restaurants will accept major credit cards (PLEASE TAKE NOTE MASTER CARD IS NOT ACCEPTED IN MYANMAR). The easiest way is to bring cash in USD if possible.

Tipping is not really part of the Burmese culture (though it is appreciated at most restaurants), but 'presents' are. A minor bribe will get you a long way with Burmese bureaucrats. Money isn't necessary - cigarettes and pens will speed things up a bit; foreign t-shirts will work miracles.

Traveling in Myanmar

Although Myanmar essentially remains a 'fly in, fly out' destination, the military government has gradually extended visa stays, resulting in more and more airlines putting Yangon on their itinerary.

There are some road border crossings at the Thai/Myanmar border (noticeably the Mae Sai-Thachilek and Ranong-Kawthoung crossings), but they sometimes close because of guerrilla and bandit activity in the area. In times of certainty, foreign travelers can travel the famous Burma Road and enter Myanmar via the Yunnan province in China, although border traffic is all one way. It's not possible to cross back into China from the same checkpoint.

One persistent rumor is that Chin State may open its borders to limited tour groups, which could lead to permission for individual travelers to traverse the state via the Chin River, all the way to the Indian border at Tamu.

Getting Around

Travel in Myanmar tends to be uncertain and uncomfortable. Many visitors are tempted to take internal flights because of the restricted 28-day stay regulation, but the poor safety record and 'flexible' notion of schedules of Myanmar Airways and, to a lesser extent, Air Mandalay, can be a deterrent.

Others opt to stick with transport not controlled by the government. The Yangon-Mandalay bus service is the most comfortable long-distance bus trip. Otherwise, visitors can pay a little extra to get a more spacious 'pick-up truck' that crams locals in the back and makes many stops between towns all over Myanmar. Many visitors reckon train travel here is like riding a horse - with saddle-soreness from hard-seat bouncing lasting for a day or two. There are daily express trains between Yangon and Mandalay; one service is run by a private company. Forget the ordinary-class trains, which are dirty, slow and unreliable.

Another alternative is arranging a car with a driver; this is easiest to do with a travel agent in Yangon.

Getting around towns can be much of the fun. In most towns, including Mandalay, you'll see horse carts clip-clopping by, and trishaws are everywhere. Once settled, it's usually easy to rent a bicycle for a couple of dollars to join the fraccas. Always negotiate fares in advance.

Festivals and Holidays (2008)

Remarks: The Burmese use a lunar calendar so festival dates will vary somewhat from year to year.

Voltage

The voltage throughout Myanmar is 220-230 volts AC. Because the voltage may be inconsistent, valuable or sensitive equipment likes stereos and computers should have appropriate electronic protection. Most sockets can accept either flat or round 2 prong plugs.

Insurance

Hospitals with the standard of care where most tourists are used to may not exist in Myanmar. There are a few private clinics at which reasonable emergency care can be obtained but if a traveler were to become seriously ill or injured, they may need to be evacuated to the nearest major medical facility, most likely in Singapore or Bangkok. We highly recommend that travelers purchase insurance which will provide medical-evacuation coverage should they require it.

Dos and Don’ts

§    When addressing people, don't leave out U (which stands for Mr) or Daw (which stands for Ms/Mrs.).

§    Not always necessary to shake hands.

§    Don't hug or kiss in public.

§    Don't touch any adult on the head.

§    Don't step over any part of a person, as it is considered rude.

§    Accept or give things with your right hand.

§    Don't drink tap water.

§    Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven't been opened yet.

§    Let the oldest be served first. 

§    When buying gems, sculptures, or any expensive souvenir, make sure it comes with an export permit.

§    Buy arts from authorized dealers only and get a certified receipt.

§    On trains, keep windows shut.

§    Carry toilet paper in your bag.

§    Most Myanmar do not wear shoes in their homes. Take off when visiting.

§    If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on the right side.

Dos and Don’ts with Religion

§    At religious places, remove footwear, but to remove headwear is not necessary.

§    Avoid shouting or laughing.

§    Avoid being a nuisance when taking photographs.

§    Tuck away your feet. Don't point it toward the pagoda or a monk.

§    Don't play loud music in these areas. Note that Buddhist monks are not allowed to listen to music.

§    Do not put Buddha statues or images on the floor or somewhere inappropriate.

§    Don't touch sacred objects with disrespect. Hold them in your right-hand, or with both hands.

§     Leave a donation when possible.

§    Show respect to monks, nuns, and novices (even if they are children).

§    Don't offer your hand to shake hands with a monk.

§    Sit lower than a monk and elders.

§    Don't offer food to a monk, nun, or a novice after noon time.

§    A woman should not touch a monk.

UPDATED November 2008

ALL INFORMATION ABOVE IS GIVEN FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

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