Myanmar Visa || Myanmar Hotels Selection
Introductions || Nationality || Climate || Religion || Language || Economy
International Flights || Overland Entry || Customs || Foreign Exchange || Tour Guides Airport Tax || Duty Free || Time || Some Useful Advice Highlights in Myanmar
The country known as Myanmar has been in existence for centuries. Naturally, she has been going through ups and downs of time along the course of her existence. Under the leadership of the national heroes, however, the country was usually opulent and peaceful. For example, Myanmar was organized as a strong union in the early 11th century (i.e. Bagan period) by King Anawrahta. It is generally referred to as the first union of Myanmar. Also in the middle of the 16th entury. King Bayinnaung established the second union of Myanmar that used to be one of the mightiest countries in Southeast Asia then. Myanmar was thirdly unified in 1752 by King Alaungpaya. The founder of the last dynasty of Myanmar.
During the colonial period, Burma was occupied by the British Empire. Not until 12th February 1947, all the nationalities were again united. This event is a milestone in the history of Myanmar as it could regain the national unity at least in principle, and thus was referred to as the Fourth Union. However, Burma attained a genuine unity only in the late 1960 (i.e. nearly two decades after her Independence), when both internal and external dangers were practically overcome.
Burma had changed its official country name to MYANMAR in 1989. The country is comprising of seven states and seven divisions, covering an area of 261,789 square miles.
Myanmar is the largest country in the region. The population is estimated at 44 million in 1997.
The coastal districts are usually referred to as “Lower Myanmar” whereas the inland districts are called “Upper Myanmar”.
There are altogether 135 groups of nationalities in Myanmar, which have been coexisting with one another for a long time: Bamar, Kachin, Kaya, Kayin, Chin, ,Mon, Rakhine and Shan are regarded as the major groups.
The Bamar Group is the largest among the other groups and constitutes up to 69% of the total population.
A year is generally divided in to three seasons:
The rainy season, being the longest period of the year, is favorable to cultivation. Consequently, the country’s major industry is agriculture. Moreover, rains help the forests to grow abundantly in Burma. Large portion of the country is covered with forest, yielding a wide range of timbers and other products.
Buddhism is the faith of the majority. In fact, 80% of the people are Buddhists. However, there is full freedom of worship for followers of other religions. Thus, we find Christianity, Islam, Hindus and even animists, living together peacefully in Myanmar.
Every group of nationality has its own dialect. The official language is Myanmar (Burmese), which is widely spoken all over the country. English is also widely spoken and understood especially in the main cities like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and so on
On account of Market Oriented Economy initiated since 29th October 1988, Myanmar has been advancing by leaps and bounds in economy. Foreign investment is earnestly invited and the local private sector also is unprecedented encouraged. Business can be done in the form of joint-venture (either with the government or with local private entrepreneurs). To sum up, Myanmar has reached the golden age through her booming economy.
Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Osaka, Chiangmai, Dacca, Calcutta, Karachi, Kunming, Sabah.
Below is a list of different airlines operating their flights to Myanmar
The Myanmar Airways International (MAI), Thai Airways International (TG), Silk Air (MI), Biman (BG), Air China (AC), Indian Airlines (IC), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Air Mandalay (GT), Pakistan Air International (PK), Royal Brunei (BI).
Overland Entry is allowed through Check Points along Yunnan-Myanmar and Thai-Myanmar Borders.
Tourists are allowed to enter through Border Check Points at
Mu-se, Nam-Khan, Kyu-gok, Lwe-je and Kun-lone from Yunnan Province
and Tachile, Myawaddy, Three Pagoda Pass and Kawthaung from Thailand.
Package tourists from Yunnan Province are followed to travel up to Yangon and tourists from Thailand are followed up to Kyaing-Tone and from Kyaing-Tone to Jing-hong (Xishaungbuna) in Yunnan with a prior approval.
All foreign currencies (above US$2000) jewelry, electrical goods, cameras must be declared to the Customs at the Airport.
For Customs clearance there is a Green Channel for visitors with nothing to declare and Red Channel for visitors with dutiable items.
Export of antiques and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited.
For the convenience of the visitors, Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) are issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar to use during their stay.
It is compulsory for Foreign Independent Travellers (FIT) holding Entry Visa tourists (EVT) to change on arrival a minimum of US$300 or equivalent Pounds Sterling with Foreign
Exchange Certificate 300 Units. This is the minimum amount to be spent by a tourist during his/ her stay in the country.
Payment by FECs is deemed to have been made in Foreign Exchange. These FECs are acceptable by any person in the Union of Myanmar.
Note: Children up to 12 years and members of the Package Tour Groups are exempted.
To avoid touts, tourists are advised to use the services of Licensed Tour Guides only. Those are available at the Licensed Travel Agencies.
International Airport Tax – USD 10 per person
Domestic Airport Tax – USD 6 per person
Duty free Allowance: 2 bottles of liquor, 2 cartoons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and ½ litre of parfume.
GMT + 6 ½ hour (one hour difference with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand).
Yangon
Yangon is the gateway to Myanmar and the nation’s capital. The many shady parks and beautiful lakes have earned it a reputation as the “ garden city of the East”. Its unmistakeably colonial style buildings, its open markets and wide tree- lined avenues endow it with a strange mix of old world charm and modern vitality. Yangon is home to the huge reclining Buddha (Kyauk Htat Gyi), Royal Lake, and the most beautiful pagoda of Asia, the Shwedagon Pagoda.
SHWEDAGON PAGODA
The majestic Shwedagon Pagoda towers above the Yangon landscape with a serenity so unique that it is often considered one of the wonders of the world. According to legend, this glistening gold covered pagoda was built over two and a half thousand years ago as a place of Buddhist worship.
OUTSIDE OF YANGON
BAGO (PEGU)
Ancient port and capital, Bago boasts the most beautiful stature of the reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha (55m long and 16m high.) A visit to Bago imposes itself if one travels by car to Kyaik- tyo or overland to the North and is recommended to those finding themselves with not enough time to enjoy the sights of Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.
Depart Yangon by road to the ancient capital of Bago (Peru), 50 miles from Yangon. Visits include: Shwemawwdaw Pagoda (its golden dome inlaid with diamonds dominates the countryside) and the gigantic Shwethalyaung Buddha (dating back to 994 and considered the most beautiful reclining Buddha stature in Myanmar). After lunch, visit Kalyani Sima Ordination Hall, the Mahazedi Pagoda and the local market.
THANLYIN
The port city of Thanlyin situated on the other side of Yangon River. Thanlyin was known as a major port and trading centre during the time of Portuguese, who sided with the Mons in their struggle against the Burmese Kings. Thanlyin continued as busy port.
A short day trip to Thanlyin can be dome form Yangon Jetty by a ferry boat, or by crossing the bridge over the Yangon River. In Thanlyin a visit will be made to a traditional native market. Close by is the large Golden Kyaik- Khaunk Pagoda rising from a hill to the north, and Kyauktan, where the famous Ye-Le-Pava or island pagoda is situated.
PYIN OO LWIN (MAYYAO)
Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) an old British hill station, sits on the foothills of the Shan Plateau slightly north-east of mandalay. The 1 ½ hour drive from Madalay offers breathtaking views across the Mandalay plain. Houre-draw carriages are the primary means of transport as you explore this town that abounds with the atmosphere of British colonial times. Coffee and banana plantation are common and the many Chrysanthemums that decorate the pagodas of Myanmar are grown here. Spectacular waterfalls and natural caves are also located in the vicinity
BAGAN
Bagan is the birthplace of Myanmar civilization. This 11th century capital is one of the richest archeological sites in Asia. Known by many as the “ City of four million pagodas”, this enchanting ancient city offers the visitors over 2000 religious edifices to marvel art. The Majority of this well preserved shrines reveal a rich architectural heritage from the 11th to 13th century era. In modern Bagan, bullock carts dictate the pace of the day as the master tradesmen produce with painstaking patience, Myanmar’s finest lacquerware.
MOUNT POPA
60 kilometers south-east of Bagan is the spectacular 1500 meter high extinct volcano of Mount Popa. At the foot of this Mountain is the perpendicular rock formation with almost vertical sides that is home of the “nat” gods. Accessible by a series of stairways, the famous festival of the “nats” or spirits is held here during the month of May/ June.
PAKOKKU
Situated on the Ayeyarwaddy River near Bagan, yet still untouched by tourism, Pakokku supports a colorful weaving industry and some of the biggest monasteries of Myanmar.
SALAY
It is famous for all fields Paya Thonezu. Three Brick Shrines Nan Paya., Hnee Paya an antique lacquerware Buddha image, Youpson Kyaung and wooden Monastery which has 100 years old sculptures.
MANDALAY
Although only Myanmar’s second largest city, Mandalay is considered by many as the heartland of Myanmar as it was in this area where the Burmese King resided for centuries. Claimed by the locals to be most representative of current day Myanmar, Mandalay provides a unique mix of old and new. For centuries under royal patronage, the Myanmar Arts are blooming to this day: silk weavers, tapestry makers, carvers of wood, ivory and stone, silversmiths and bronze- casters ply their trade according to the time- honored tradition of their forefathers. As the seat of Myanmar’s last Kingdom, Mandalay is a spiritual center as well and boasts numerous old wooden monasteries and unique pagodas which date back to life as it wa under the reign of Myanmar’s last King. You are free to explore the fortified ancient palace and the century old monuments and religious edifices that abound this once ancient royal capital. A number of interesting excursion can be made from Mandalay:
AMARAPURA
Amarapura is home to Mahagandayon Monastery where more than 700 monks bestow upon this city a unique and formidable religious atmosphere. Also of interest is Myanmar’s oldest Yunnan style Buddhist temple and U-Bein Bridge, a two century old, 1.2 km teak foot bridge.
SAGAING
Sagaing with its many monastereis and pagodas spread throughout the surrounding hills, overlooks the Ayeyarwaddy River to the west
MINGUN
Mingun rests on the banks of the lyeyarwaddy River and is home to the world’s biggest pile of the foundation of Pahtodawgvi (The unfinished Pagoda) as well as the world’s largest ringing bell. It is reached via a memorable boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River that provides a fascinating insight into life on this famous water way.
KALAW
Fullday drive to Kalaw. First, the road leads through flat land and endless paddy fields. Later in the day, the road winds its way up to the Mountains of the Southern Shan State and the climate starts of the chant with increasing altitude. Arrive Kalaw, a former British hill station which is renowned for its cool climate and many churches.
In the morning, visit Kalaw market, made very colorful by many tribes in ethnic costumes which come from near and far. In the afternoon a footwalk of 2 hours (short way) or 4 hours leads to a village of the Palaung tribe.
At first, a steep track leads down into a narrow vallay where the Palaung are cultivating cheroot, tea, damson and mangoes on the slopes of the Mountains. The track crosses the valley floor before climbing up very steeply again to the Palaung viallge which thrones atop the mountain. The village has a very interesting long house for 8 families. Observe tribal village life and how the Palaungs dry cheroot, on a specially designed oven. Formerly animists, the Palaung have morstly converted themselves to Buddhism. Return to Kalaw.
PINDAYA
Drive from Kalaw to Pindaya. On the way, visit a Danu and a Pa-O villlage. Then, stop at the market of Aung Ban before continuing by road to Pindaya. Arrive in Pindaya and visit a caves where thousands of Buddha statues in different styles are exposed.
TAUGGYI
Drive across the Shan Plateau cultivated by the Pa-O and to Taunggyi, One the way, stop at Heho market. Arrive in Taunggyi, the capital of the Southern Shan State, where you visit the local market on which hill tribe people form far sell their produce. Visit the small tribal museum and one of the local cheroot factories. Afterwards, continue to Nyaungshwe on Inle Lake.
INLE LAKE
Located in the Shan State and nestled amidst hazy blue mountains is the beautiful Inle Lake.
This 14 kilometer long waterway is home to the renowned legrowers. Here, villages re built on stilts over the lake water and boats are the sole means of transport. Local produce is grown in unique floating gardens and then peddled by the villagers at the spectacular floating market. The cooler climate of Inle Lake makes it a highly popular summer resort. Nearby Taunggyi is capital of the Shan State. It is home to some to some of Myanmar’s finest cheroot factories and boasts an impressive local market.
Fullyday boat trip on Inle Lake, famous for its unique’ legrowers’, the fishermens’s interesting method of fishing and its scenic beauty. The boat trip includes visit to Phang Daw Oo Pagoda, the flosting gardens, the floating market at Ywama (only every 5 days), the “ the jumping cats show and the local handicraft center.
OPTIONAL TOUR
KYAIK- TIYO (GOLDEN ROCK PAGODA)
Home of the incredible balancing pagoda
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