ABOUT MYANMAR
Capital
Yangon, the capital of The Union of Myanmar is situated on the
Yangon River 21 miles away from the Indian Ocean. Yangon covers 77
square miles and has population of 5 million people. The capital
city is famous for its great golden Shwedagon pagoda, a richly
gilded Buddhist stupa which rises 326 feet above Singuttara hill,
about 4 miles north of the city centre. According to legend, the
pagoda is believed to be 2500 years old but, in common with many
other ancient pagoda, it has been rebuilt many times and its current
form dates back only to 1769 A. D.
Currency
Local currency is Kyat (approx. 1 U.S. Dollar = 6.00 Kyats ) US
Dollars in cash or travelers’ chaque, as well as other major foreign
currencies can be exchanged only at hotels, airport or Foreign Trade
Banks. The monetary unit of Myanmar is the " Kyat " which is divided
into 100 pyas. Currency notes are available in denominations of
Kyats 1000, Kyats 500, Kyats 200, Kyats 100, Kyats 50, Kyats 20,
Kyats 10, Kyats 5, Kyat 1.
Health
A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for a traveller
coming from infected areas.
Formalities
Duty free shopping for arrival passengers at the Yangon Airport has
been introduced.
International flights
Yangon has direct air - link with Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Kuala
Lumpur, Hong Kong, Kumming. The operating airlines are Myanmar
Airways International (8M), Thai Airways International (TG), Silk
Air (MI ), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG), Air China (CA), China
Airlines (CI), Air India (AI), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Phuket
Airlines (9R) , Qatar Airways (QR), Bangkok Airways (PG).
Domestic flights
Myanmar Airways,
Air Mandalay,
Yangon Air
and
Air
Bagan are major domestic carriers.
Climate
There are three general seasons :
Hot season - March to May
Rainy season - May to October in lower Myanmar and the Delta area
only.
(Almost no rain in Central Myanmar i.e. Bagan and Mandalay.)
Cool season - October to February
Dress and Shoes
Should wear casual but polite dress. Any kind of shoes that can be
easily removed since neither shoes nor socks are allowed when
entering religious monuments.
Boarder-crossing
Recently boarder-crossing permit is given to nationals from third
country who wish to enter to Myanmar from boarder points. Myanmar,
having bordered with Thailand, China India & Laos, the entry points
are opened between neighbouring countries for centuries. A Tourist
who wish to enter from the boarder point will need prior approval
from the authorities. The border points from China entry are MUSE,
NAMKHAN, MONG-LA and from Thailand entry is TACHILEIK.
Travel tips
All kinds of transport such as buses, trains, flights, boats are
available in Myanmar. Due to lack of infrastructure, local buses &
trains cannot consider as easy travelling but profitable to meet
people and see landscape through out the journey. The best part to
travel by train is Yangon – Mandalay (OR) Mandalay – Yangon. Each
way takes about 14 hrs. Travel by flights is the best and easiest
way to travel. Two airlines ( Air Mandalay & Yangon Air ) run the
main tourist sites. The airline use ATR 72 & ATR 42 French carries.
One day Cruising down the Ayeyarwaddy can be done by Shwekannari
(or) local passenger boat from Mandalay to Bagan. R.V Pandaw runs a
3Days /2Nights & 2Days/ 1Night cruise along the Ayeyarwaddy river.
R.V Delta Queen runs a special cruise along the delta to Pathein (
2D/1N cruise ) Seven Star Tours is ready to arrange a special set
for tourists who wish to take the STEAM ENGINE LOCOMOTIVE from World
War ( ll ) .
Voltage
Voltage through out Myanmar is 220 Volt A.C. International standard
hotels have their own generator and the voltage is constant. Voltage
drop or electricity cut could occur in some hotels, it is advisable
to travel with a protection for your electrical devices.
Insurance
Visitors should buy travel insurance from abroad. Hospitals in
Myanmar are good enough for local people. Hospital with
international class is not available yet. A few International
medical assistance companies are in Yangon. The companies provide
medical and technical support services.
Cellular Telephone
Cellular Telephones or Mobile Telephones from other countries are
unable to operate in Myanmar. Customs will hold your telephone upon
arrival and you can collect on your departure.
Visa Formalities
Tourist visas are issued at all Myanmar Embassies and Consulates
abroad.
Myanmar has increased its TOURIST VISA to 28 days to allow tourists
to stay longer at each famous cultural sites as well as visit to
newly introduced area. Tourist visa can be obtained within a day or
two. Entry to Myanmar and departure are permissible through Yangon
Mingaladon Airport, Sea Port and China & Thai boarder points. Visa
fees is US$ 20.- per person.
Visa on Arrival Permit
Visa on arrival permit can be done on prior basis for tourists from
countries, where Myanmar Embassies do not exist. We would need full
name, passport number, nationality, occupation, address and two
photos to apply visa on arrival permit.
Click Here For
Visa on Arrival Permit Application
Important Notice
•
Visitors should be aware of the following points to avoid
frustration and inconvenience at time of arrival and departure from
Myanmar.
• Visitors are allowed to bring in video camera.
• Visitors are warned to ignore touts who may approach for
exchanging foreign currency, gems of a doubtful nature or to offer
guide services which will appear attractive but will give more
trouble than help.
• Please note that export of antiques and archaeologically valuable
items over 75 years old is prohibited. They are as follows:
• Cellular hand phones are not allowed to bring into country. It
will be detained at Customs on arrival and claim back on departure.
1) Stoneage implements and artefacts
2) Fossil
3) Ancient coins
4) Myanmar bronze and brass weights
5) Bronze and clay pipes
6) Palm leaf manuscripts and Parabaike (Folding manuscripts)
7) Inscribed stones and bricks
8) Inscribed gold and silver plates and other inscribed objects
9) Historical documents
10) Religious images and statues
11) Carvings or sculptures of bronze, stone, stucco and wood
12) Frescoes and fragments thereof
13) Porcelain and pottery
14) Myanmar Regalia and paraphernalia
• Please also note that a permit from the Department of Forestry is
necessary before wood and ivory carvings can be exported.
• However all purchases of Gems and Jewellery with vouchers can be
exported.
