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| Home » Myanmar Travel » Myanmar Travel Tips
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| DESTINATION MYANMAR |
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MYANMAR TRAVEL TIPS |
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 QUICK GUIDANCE,... |
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| To help you plan an exciting holiday in Myanmar, we provide the complete travel tip resource from foreign exchange to passport and visa requirement, customs to weather, useful transport to public holidays of Myanmar. You will find here all you need to know for a trip of lifetime in Myanmar by browsing through the sections below. |
| MYANMAR TRAVEL TIPS |
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MYANMAR TRAVEL TRIPS |
COUPLE OF WORDS
Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrant cultural tradition. Great natural beauty combines with magnificent temple architecture. Myanmar with its long history, culture and religion has many pagodas, temples and monuments all over the country. In addition, Myanmar is also blessed by nature with natural attractions. There are snow-capped mountains, deep forests, cool and scenic places, long rivers, beautiful lakes, and manu unspoiled beaches and archipelagoes. The different national races and their way of life, traditional arts and crafts offer exotic vistas of the nation while the warm hospitality of Myanmar people world-renowned. |
1. MYANMAR PASSPORT AND VISA
According to the Myanmar visa regulation, all nationalities are required to have visa before getting into Myanmar. The visa is usually delivered by Myanmar Embassies who require the original passport valid for at least six months beyond date of intended departure. The application forms in duplicate with three passport size photos are to be submitted with a fee of US$ 20 equivalent in their respective currency. The visa can also be obtained upon arrival at Yangon international airport and Mandalay international airport , in which case visitors need to apply for visa through a local agency. If the visa approval is arranged by Asianventure Tours upon clients’ request, the personal data must be supplied to us at least ten days before arrival to Myanmar. Then, an approval letter will be sent to clients in order to confirm that clients will obtain the visa on arrival. The tourist visa is valid for two months from the date of issue for stays of 28 days in Myanmar. This can be extended for an additional 14 days. The business visas are valid for three months from date of issue for stays of 10 weeks, extendable for up to 12 months on an individual basis. The transit visas are valid for 24 hours. |
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2. MYANMAR CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES
According to the visa regulation of Myanmar, all nationalities are required to have visa when entering Myanmar. The tourist visa is usually delivered by Myanmar Consulates and Embassies in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Egypt, France, Italy, Israel, Russia, Switzerland , United Kingdom , Yugoslavia, South Africa , United States, Canada, Brazil.
To apply for Myanmar visa, the applicants are required to present the original passport with validity for at least six months beyond date of intended departure date and the application forms in duplicate with three passport size photos. The tourist visa is usually issued after seven working days and is granted only for single entry with validity for two months from the date of issue, and maximum stay of 28 days in Myanmar. The tourist visa can be extended for an additional 14 days. The business visas are valid for three months from date of issue for stays of 10 weeks, extendable for up to 12 months on an individual basis. The transit visas are valid for 24 hours.
MYANMAR VISA ON ARRIVAL
To help everyone have an easy trip to Myanmar, Asianventure Tours has launched the express service of visa on arrival, which is only available at the international airports Yangon international airport and Mandalay international airport. To apply for visa on arrival through the express visa service of Asianventure Tours, the applicants are required to provide such personal data as: Name and Surname, Gender, Father Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Religion, Occupation, Nationality, Residence Address, Purpose of Journey, One Scan of First Passport Page, Two Passport Photos, Date of Entry and Departure to/from Myanmar, Arrival and Departure Flight Number, Passport Number, Issue Date of Passport, and Expiry Date of Passport (Only passport valid over 8 months from entry date accepted).
The visa approval letter written in English and stamped by the immigration of Myanmar, will be sent to the applicants in order to confirm these applicants are allowed to obtain tourist visa on arrival at Yangon and Mandalay airports , after four or five working days. They then need to bring long the copy of this visa approval letter, two brand new passport photo size to get visa on arrival at the immigration counter. The process of visa issue at airport may take something from 10 to 20 minutes. The tourist visa will be granted only for single entry with a maximum stay of 28 days in Myanmar and may be extended after your arrival in Myanmar.
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3. MYANMAR CURRENCY EXCHANGE
The FECs printed in China, are Myanmar’s second legal currency and are issued by the Bank of Myanmar specifically for visiting tourists. They come in denominations equivalent to US$20, 10, 5 and 1. Payment for FECs is only accepted in US Dollars. One US Dollar equals one FEC. FECs can be exchanged into Kyats at officially authorized banks, exchange bureaux, hotels and Myanmar Travel and Tour offices and can be spent anywhere in the country. Cash payments can also be made in US Dollars, but only at establishments that have an official license allowing them to accept dollars. Wherever possible, it is advisable to change US Dollars into Kyats rather than FECs, as FECs usually have a poorer exchange rate than Kyats. However, US Dollar travelers cheques can only be exchanged into FECs and not directly into Kyats unlike US Dollar cash. It is also recommended to carry small change as large notes may be difficult to change. Euros are now also accepted in all banks and currency exchange bureaux. There are no ATMs in Myanmar.
The major 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 is very difficult and time consuming. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
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4. MYANMAR CURRENCY
The banknotes come in denominations of MMK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 90 pyas. Coins are in denominations of MMK1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 pyas. MMK100,000 is known as a lakh, and MMK10 million as a crore. Kyat is pronounced like the English word ‘chat’. To combat the black market and limit the financial power of dissident groups, currency denominations are occasionally declared invalid without prior notice. Limited refunds are usually allowed for certain sectors of the population.
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5. MYANMAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The banknotes come in denominations of MMK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 90 pyas. Coins are in denominations of MMK1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 pyas. MMK100,000 is known as a lakh, and MMK10 million as a crore. Kyat is pronounced like the English word ‘chat’. To combat the black market and limit the financial power of dissident groups, currency denominations are occasionally declared invalid without prior notice. Limited refunds are usually allowed for certain sectors of the population. |
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6. MYANMAR HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. The malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. The medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed. |
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7. MYANMAR CLIMATE
Myanmar has three distinctive seasons; namely, hot (March to May with average temperatures 30-35°C), rainy (June to October with average temperatures 25-30°C) and cool (November to February with average temperatures 20-24°C). Myanmar has the effects of the Monsoon in different parts of the country. Temperature varies from 38°C to 19°C; humidity from 82.8% to 66%. The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season. However, rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low, even in the rainy season.
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8. MYANMAR FOODS
Myanmar food has its own special identity. Although it draws on its’ neighbors, it is neither as hot as Thai, as spicy as Indian nor does it resemble Chinese cooking much except in the stir-fry vegetables. Nowadays various kinds of Myanmar food and snacks are available in the street stalls, market stalls and local restaurants. Also most of hotels in different destinations offer Myanmar set menus, which allows visitors to try the taste of the Myanmar cuisine. Fish, rice, noodles and vegetables spiced with onions, ginger, garlic and chillies are the common local ingredients. Local dishes include lethok son (a sort of spicy vegetarian rice salad), mohinga (fish soup with noodles) and oh-no khauk swe (rice noodles, chicken and coconut milk). The avocados by Inle Lake are very good. Delicious fruits are available in the markets and food stalls appear on the corners of most large towns. Chinese and Indian cuisine is offered in many hotels and restaurants. |
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9. MYANMAR TELECOMMUNICATION
The telephones and 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. 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. |
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10. MYANMAR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
The main airline companies in Myanmar is Air Bagan, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways who operates flights throughout Myanmar. There is a 20 Kilo limit for baggage per person and excess baggage fees may be charged. These airline companies daily fly between Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Heho. The regular services are also provided between Yangon and Tachileik , Kungtung , Sittwe , Myeik , Kalaymyo , Kawthaung , Kyaingtong , Thandwe, Dawei, Lashio
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11. MYANMAR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The international airports in Myanmar are Mingaladon in Yangon and Mandalay in Mandalay Town.
+The cities with directs flight to Mingaladon in Yangon are Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Calcutta, Kualalumpur, Kunming, Hongkong, Chiang Mai . The airline companies currently serving Yangon are Myanmar Airways International ( 8M), Air China (CA), Bangkok Airways (PG),,Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG),China Eastern Airlines (MU),Indian Airlines (IC),Malaysia Airlines (MH),Mandarin Airlines(AE), Qater Airways ( QR), Silk Sir (MI),Thai airways (TG) |
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12. MYANMAR SEA AND RIVER
The best way of seeing Myanmar is by boat, particularly between Bhamo–Mandalay and Mandalay–Pagan. Myanmar has about 8000km (5000 miles) of navigable rivers. Trips can only be arranged as part of an organized tour group. It is generally necessary to provide one’s own food. |
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13. MYANMAR RAIL TRANSPORT
The railways in Myanmar provide services on several routes, the principal line being Yangon to Mandalay (travel time – 12 to 14 hours). Overnight trains have sleeping cars. There is also a good service from Mandalay–Lashio– Myitkyina. The state-run railway has 4300km (2700 miles) of track and serves most of Myanmar. First class is available but, with the exception of the Yangon to Mandalay line, services are regularly afflicted with delays caused by climatic, technical and bureaucratic difficulties. Tickets must be purchased through Myanmar Travel and Tours as part of an organized tour group. There are regular services from Yangon to Mandalay and from Yangon to Thazi. Visitors should be aware that much railway equipment is decrepit and some accidents are unreported.
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14. MYANMAR RAIL TRANSPORT
The traffic drive rule in Laos is on the right hand side. The roads, especially in the north, are often in a bad state and may be impassable during the rainy season. Internally, the road link between Vientiane and Luang Prabang to the north has been upgraded.The bus services are often poor and overcrowded although the long distance buses are sometimes more modern and air-conditioned. The minibuses often run between tourist hotels in the major towns. The car rental with driver is possible in Laos. |
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15. MYANMAR ROAD TRANSPORT
The traffic drive rule in Myanmar is on the right hand side. The roads are often in a bad state and may be impassable during the rainy season. There has been some modernization of Myanmar’s once antiquated vehicles. Visitors must remember that, under Burmese law, the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault. Buses are generally operated by the state-owned Road Transport Enterprise. Public bus services tend to be unreliable and uncomfortable; visitors may pay using the Kyat currency on certain lines only. Owing to the ongoing privatization program of the transport industry, a fleet of privately operated buses is also available. The main lines are from Yangon to Meiktila, Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi. Private buses are air conditioned and accept payment in Kyat, US Dollars or FECs. Bicycles are available for hire. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to the police, who will endorse it or issue a visitor’s license. Otherwise, Burmese driving licenses, valid for two years, are issued without test on production of a valid British driving license and payment of a fee of 50 FEC/150 Kyat. The car rental with driver is possible in Myanmar. The self-drive car hire is non-existent. |
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16. OVERLAND TO MYANMAR
The country of Myanmar is bounded by China, Laos and Thailand in the east, by Bangladesh and India in the north and by the Indian Ocean in the west and south. The border-crossing are possible only with China and Thailand at the moment. The overland entry with a border pass is permitted at the following border check points.
+ The entry from Thailand: There are in theory, 03 border crossings including Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung. The only Tachilek- Mae Sai point ( Chiang Rai Province) we can use at the moment. There is a very short bridge of 2 minutes’ walk between the two border town. On arrival in Myanmar, visitors can proceed by land or by flight to KyaingTong, the place of hill tribes. Or can fly to Inle lake or Yangon.
+ The entry from China ( Yunnan Province) : There are more than 3 border check however Muse-Ruili point is currently the most popular junction. This border checkpoint is about 15 minutes drive from Ruili, China. On arrival in Myanmar, visitors get into the downtown of Muse and can proceed up to the city of Lashio by cars or buses, which take 4 hours. |
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17. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The festivals are a central part of Buddhism in Burma and most coincide with full moons of the lunar calendar. The majority of festivals take place in central Burma during March , July-September, December and during Buddhist lent. They usually either start or finish on the full moon day.
HOLIDAY IN MYANMAR
New Year's Eve : 31 December, New Year's Day : 1 January , Independence Day: 4 January, Eid Al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): 21 January, Union Day: 12 February .Full Moon of Tabaung: 24 February, Peasants Day: 2 Mars , Armed Forces Day: 27 Mars, Maha Thingyan (Water Festival): 13-16 April, Myanmar New Year: 17 April , Fulle Moon of Kason:24 April, Labour Day : 1 May, Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent): 21 May , Martyrs Day: 19 July, Full Moon of Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent): 12 October, Deepavali Day: 1 November, Tazaungmon Full Moon Day: 14 November, National Day: 6 December, Kayin New Year: : 23 December, Christmas Day: 25 December |
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18. BUSINESS HOURS
TThe opening time of offices varies depending on business sectors. Banks are open Monday to Friday from l0:00 to 14:00, and government offices on weekdays only from 09:30 to 16:30. The shops generally open early and close any time between 18:00 and 20:00 during 7 days a week. |
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19. TIME ZONE
The opening time of offices varies depending on business sectors. Banks are open Monday to Friday from l0:00 to 14:00, and government offices on weekdays only from 09:30 to 16:30. The shops generally open early and close any time between 18:00 and 20:00 during 7 days a week.
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20. USERFUL PHONE NUMBER
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