TRAVEL GUIDE MYANMAR

HIGHLIGHT DESTINATIONS

Myanmar isn't a typical luxury destination, nor a soft introduction to Asia in the way that the sanitized environs of Singapore , Thailand or the luxurious-exoticism of Vietnam is.

Myanmar or Burma sits at the crossroads of Asia's great civilizations of India and China , and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand . One of South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range.

To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world. What can the casual visitor therefore expect upon arrival, and why should one embark on such a journey in the first place?

Myanmar offers all the traditional delights of Asia in one fascinating country. Virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, combined with a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years. Spectacular monuments and ancient cities attest to a vibrant culture that is still home to 135 different ethnic groups.

The country's tourism infrastructure boasts five star properties, intimate boutique hotels and family guest houses in all the major centers, as well as stunning mountain and beach resorts. Myanmar also boasts one of the lowest tourist crime records in the world, so visitors can rest assured their holiday will be carefree from start to finish.

Wherever you go in Myanmar , whether it be cruising down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in style, drifting over the ancient city of Bagan by hot air balloon, or searching for that elusive tiger on the back of an elephant, there is always a feeling of adventure. With two modern internal airlines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations off the beaten track are gradually being opened. From mountain trekking and rafting in the far north to world class diving in the Mergui Archipelago

Destination Yangon or Rangoon:

Destination Yangon, the cosmopolitan capital city of Myanmar (or Burma ), still maintains its colonial charm with wide tree lined avenues, tranquil lakes, and gracious turn of the century architecture.

The magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the city skyline, while at street level Yangon is a paradise for hunting out a variety of exotic arts and crafts.

Of particular interest in the many shops of Scott Market, and of world renown, are Myanmar 's precious stones – rubies, sapphires and jade. At night time Chinatown comes alive with its pungent aromas and delicious street food.

Destination Bagan

One of the most remarkable archaeological sights in Asia, if not the world, the magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for nearly 1000 years.

Once the centre of a glorious kingdom, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Today, apart from spectacular sunset views and serene river cruises, Bagan is also the centre of the expanding Myanmar lacquer ware industry.

Destination Mandalay

The principal cultural and economic city of upper Myanmar , and former royal capital, Mandalay still evokes images of a romantic bygone era.

The royal palace and its impressive surrounding moat sits at the foot of the imposing Mandalay Hill.

Positioned on the banks of the mighty Ayeryarwaddy River , Mandalay lies within easy striking distance of former colonial hill stations, ancient cities and other cultural attractions.

Destination Mrauk U

Not far from Sittwe on the Arakan Coast , lie the 15th Century ruins of Mrauk-U once the capital of a flourishing Rhakine Kingdom .

Often touted as an interesting alternative to Bagan, be one of the first to discover these ancient temples, accessible only by boat alongside the Kaladan River.

Destination Inle Lake

Just a short plane flight away from Yangon in the cool green highlands of Shan State, and yet seemingly worlds apart from the rest of Myanmar, lies Inle Lake in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The lake itself sits at a pleasant 2900 feet above sea level and is famous for its leg rowers, floating markets and prolific birdlife. In this unique wetland environment, whole villages sit on floating islands on the lake.

Colorful hill tribes inhabit the surrounding fertile valleys and forested mountaintops, and their hand-woven silks are a specialty of the region.

Beach Destination Ngapali

Miles of empty white sand beaches, brilliant turquoise seas, all backed by towering coconut palms, Ngapali is Myanmar's premier beach destination.

Intimate resorts offer visitors the chance to swim, sail, kayak, and feast on lobster and prawn by candle light as the sun sinks lazily into the Indian Ocean. Ngapali is the perfect place to unwind and savor those few precious weeks in Myanmar . Best time is from Oct to May.

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VISA REQUIREMENTS

A visa is required in advance. Tourist visa for Myanmar can be obtained from any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate world-wide. Please see our list of Embassies and Consulates below. Travelers who plan to arrive via Bangkok , Kuala Lumpur , Singapore , Hong Kong or Vietnam can obtain their tourist visas within three working days. Tourist visa are valid for a stay of up to 28 days. Myanmar visa for pick up on arrival is available; contact our travel agent for more information at myanmar@luxurytravelvietnam.com

AIRPORT TAX

Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

Myanmar has three seasons.

• Cool Season - October through February with average temperatures 20-24 C
• Hot Season - March through May with average temperatures 30-35 C
• Wet Season - June through September with average temperatures 25-30 C The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season.

However, even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and in Shan State is quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February.

CREDIT CARDS

Credit Cards are only accepted at a very few major hotels, airlines and some international shops and restaurants. We suggest to bring a sufficient amount of cash for personal expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

CURRENCY

We recommend you to bring US Dollar in cash only – larger notes receiving a better rate in exchange. Exchange of other foreign currencies such as Euros, Yen and Pounds Sterling are maybe time consuming and difficult. Authorized money changer throughout Myanmar will usually only accept US Dollars. The FEC (Foreign Exchange Currency) used in Myanmar as currency next to the local currency Kyat (pronounced “Chat”) is equal to the US Dollar (1=1) and can easily been used for payment of purchases throughout the country.

DOMESTIC AIRLINES & FLIGHTS

Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways are privately operated airlines flying throughout Myanmar . There is a 20 Kilo limit for baggage per person and excess baggage fees may be charged. We suggest you leave items not needed upcountry in Yangon and collect them upon your return.

DRINKING WATER

Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. Carry a bottle with you throughout the day.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half litre of perfume are allowed per person. Yangon Airport arrival hall has a selection of duty free shops with a full range of items at a good price.

MOBILE PHONES

Hand Phones or Mobile Telephones from other countries currently do not operate in Myanmar . Customs will hold your telephone upon arrival and you can collect on your departure.

MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE - (MSG) ALERT

Throughout most Asian countries including Myanmar MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) - known locally as 'AJINOMOTO' - is still used in food preparation in some restaurants. Some travellers who may experience swollen feet, hands or headaches will more than likely have had a good amount of MSG in the food. It is always best to inform your guide when ordering if you do not wish it to be added to your food.

POWER & ELECTRICITY

Our recommended hotels in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan offer 24 hour power (with a generator if needed). In other more isolated areas like Kyaingtong, the Shan Hills, Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi, Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake - generated power may not always be available. Most hotel rooms have screens and mosquito nets.

RELIGION

The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced.

TELECOMMUNICATONS IDD

Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon and Mandalay.

TRAVELLERS CHEQUES

Travellers Cheques may be very time consuming to transact. You must bring the original purchase agreement for the travellers cheques with you as proof when cashing your cheques.

VOLTAGE

The voltage in Myanmar is 220-230 Volts AC. Most of the international hotels have their own generators. Other places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation which can damage equipment like computers. Please travel with the required protection for your electrical items.

WHAT TO BRING

Sun hat, sun glasses, sun protection for your face and body, prescription medicines, insect repellent and an umbrella April to October (rain or shine). An antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches, extra pair of prescription glasses, a small flashlight, extra passport photos, decaffeinated coffee (if you require). WHAT TO WEAR Shorts, short skirts or revealing clothing are not appropriate especially when visiting temples or any religious site. Myanmar is a conservative Buddhist culture and improper dress can be offensive.

Please dress with respect for the local culture. Lightweight, easy to care clothes of cotton and cool fabrics are ideal all year round. A winter sweater or jacket and socks may be needed in the cool season when visiting up country especially around Inle Lake and Kalaw when the weather can drop to near freezing during the night. Wear sensible walking shoes which can be easily removed when required. Sandals, thongs or flip-flops (available locally) are very convenient footwear.

Culinary and Culture

Dining in Yangon can be both pleasurable and exciting. As food is generally inexpensive, one can easily sample different dining options as food choices abound the city. The city's cuisine is influenced mainly by the neighboring countries and has therefore inspired various dishes:

• Burmese - the local cuisine is an interesting blend of Chinese, Indian and local Myanmar influence. Typical Burmese dishes are curry-based and make use of chicken, seafood, and mutton. As the country is Buddhist-dominated, there is very little use of pork or beef.
• Chinese - the country sits next to Mainland China and since Yangon is inhabited by many local Chinese, various regional cuisines such as Cantonese and Szechuan are available in the market.
• Asian - influence is also very strong in the city's dining lifestyle. Japanese and Korean restaurants abound the city. Thai, Singaporean and Malaysian dishes are also quite common in many restaurant menus.
• Western - most hotels and restaurants offer a wide variety of Western food. Items are usually available in buffet set-ups as well as in the ala carte menus. Oddly enough, the (Western) fastfood industry has not clearly penetrated the dining market. Worldwide fastfood chains are clearly absent in the city although this has given rise to a few local fastfood establishments and cafes.

Yangon has kept its local touch in terms of dining. Small teashops line up the streets of Yangon where one would find delicious local dishes served with favorite hot beverages. The "mohinga" is the most popular snack item and is served in practically all corners of town. This light, curry-based fish noodle soup is very tasty and although traditionally eaten for breakfast, is now served all-day. This tropical country also offers a wide variety of native, tropical fruits and while there is essentially no season for these fruits, most of the sweet and delicious variety come out during summer months.

Sports & Recreation

Yangon is a city full of life with a lot of activities to cater to your needs.

For those who are lovers for golf, Yangon is proud to announce that it has 5 major 18th hole international golf courses with beautiful panoramic views. Playing golf is very affordable in Yangon ; green fees, caddies and buggies are all available at reasonable prices.

There are health clubs in most of the major hotels for those who will like to exercise or just go for a swim. These are chargeable unless you are a guest in the hotel. Most health clubs are equipped with tennis court, sauna, Jacuzzi, swimming pool and a gym. (There are some health club that have massage services)

Yangon has three major recreation clubs, American Club; British Club; and Australian Club, that has major events happening all year round. These clubs are mostly for members only but there are a lot of people coming in to join the activities that are offered. Activities that are seasonal are the Rangoon International Softball League, Volleyball, and Football League and the Interclub Darts competition. There is also the Hash running which happens every Saturday where anyone can join and have a good jog with lots to drink after the run.

On the Inya Lake , there is a Sailing Club that have boat races on weekends. People of all ages can come and sail the boats. There are instructors provided to sail with you if you are a beginner. About 20 minutes outside Yangon , there is a Horse Riding club for those who love to ride horses. The horses are kept and well maintained by the Yangon Equestrian Club. There is of course trainers available to help you if you are a beginner.

For those family with kids, there are a lot of activities for your children to enjoy while they are in Yangon . There is the Yangon Zoo, the only zoo in Myanmar , which have animals like bear, tiger, snakes and so on. There is also a lot of amusement parks with lots of games to play and also fun rides. There are also Fun Fairs throughout the year.

To find out what events are happening or any information of activities interested during your stay, please consult the concierge desk at the hotel where you are staying.

Burma Festivals

Shopping

Yangon is definitely the destination for alternative shopping. The city boasts of unique, very reasonably-priced items that one may not find even in its close neighbors. Some of its attractions include:

Precious Stones

& Jewelry visitors can go crazy buying stones in Yangon : from precious birthstones to finer jades, sapphire and rubies.

Lacquerware perhaps the most popular buy is Myanmar lacquerware. This attractive work of art, mostly coming from upcountry Bagan, is easily a collectible.

Shoppers may choose from a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, although one may also find pleasure in the antique lacquerware pieces found in any major shop in town.

Tapestry unique tapestries that equal Myanmar lacquerware in terms of popularity. These woven fabrics are normally handmade using gold and silver thread, with silver and metal finish.

Antiques

another popular buy in Yangon . Collectibles include statues, brass animal shapes, wooden fixtures, old clocks, and the like.

Fabrics shoppers may go in a buying frenzy with all these colourful traditional longyi. Prices are very reasonable and are available in almost every market and store in town.

Woodcraft from small items such as figurines and wooden canes to as heavy as home furniture. One would surely find pleasure in going through a wide variety of good quality woodcraft

The most popular places for bargain-hunting includes Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) where one can go through countless options of souvenir items sold at significantly low prices. Shoppers would enjoy haggling for discounts as most of the items are sold without price tags. Other places for good buys include downtown Chinatown and shopping centers around the city.

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Recommended Books to read on Myanmar

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