General Information

A Brief Guide to Myanmar

Geography … Myanmar covers Area 675,000 sq-km
Capital: Yangon
Border: with china (2186 km), Laos (236 km), Thailand (1080 km),
Bangladesh (193 km) and India (1463 km).
Coast line: 1930 km surrounded by the Andaman Sea at the Bay of Bengal.
Currency: Kyat. i.e 100 = 100 Kyats
Climate: Three season, summer, Monsoon and Winter Climates. The Climate Conditions
Varying to topographical situation, attitude influencing the weather.
Summer season starts mid Feb to mid-May.
Monsoon Season starts mid-May to Mid-Oct.
Winter Season starts mid-Oct to mid-Feb.
Each season has its own attraction.
During the rainy season, its mainly rains in the Coastal and the delta region, even through there are many days of Clear blue skies and the landscapes are green and lush. During this period, Central and Upper Myanmar including Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake are relatively free from rain.

Mountains and Rivers - The highest mountain is "LISU" … known as Hkakabo Razi which is 5881 meters, followed by Gam long Razi which is 5835 m. The longest and largest rivers are the Ayeyarwaddy with its tributaries - Chindwin, Sittaung and Thanlwin.

People and Languages
Population: Over 53 million (annual growth rate 1.61 %)
Major Races are Bamar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. A Union of over 100 nationalities.

Languages: Myanmar Languages is the Official language. The major races have their
own languages and dialects.
English language is widely spoken and understand.

Literacy: 83.1% (Male 88.7%, Female 77.7%)

Religious: 89% Theravadas Buddhist, 4% Christian, 4% Muslim, 1% Hindu, 1% Animist

International Flights

Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Doha, Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Chaing Mai, Dacca, Delhi, Kumming and Taipai.

There are some international airlines that fly to Yangon: The Myanmar Airways International (8M), Air China (CA), Air Mandalay (GT), Bangkok Airways (PG), Bimen Bangladesh Air lines (BG) Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines (MU), Druk Airlines (KB), Indian Air lines limited (IC), Lauda (OS), Malaysia Air lines (MH), Mandarin Airlines (AE), Myanmar Airways Int'l (8M), PB Air (9R), Phuket Air (9R), Silk Air (M1), Thai Airways Int'l (TG)

Domestic Air lines

There are domestic air lines in myanmar such as Air Bagan, Air Mandalay (6T), Myanmar Air ways (UB) .

Entry formalities

Valid passport with entry visa is required for all visitors to Myanmar.
Entry Visas : Tourists and business visas are valid for 28 days. Two extension 14 days each, for an additional 28 days. All visitors, including children above 7 years old, require a visa in order to enter into the country.
Visa - on - arrival : can be granted on prior arrangements at least a minimum of 7 days ahead by KST International Travels & Tour Co.,Ltd.
Passport details as such as Full Name / Passport No./ Nationality and Profession is needed in advance. Two passport photos necessary upon arrival in Yangon.

Customs formalities

Foreign currency, jewelries, electrical goods and video cameras need to be declared at the airport.
Gems and Jewelleries purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out. Antiques (items over 40 years old) are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Health

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Strongly recommended is Malaria prophylaxis. Vaccinations against Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis are also recommended.

Food

The Cuisine of Myanmar is influenced by the cuisine of neighboring Thailand and China also Indian recipes are found on the menu. Drink only bottled water. Not recommendation to eat raw vegetables.

Electricity

Main electricity supply is 220-230 v / 50 Hz.

Airport Departure Tax

At Yangon International Airport there is a current charge of US $ 10 per person for international flight.

Airport Transfer

Private car-rented service and Taxi are available from the Yangon International Airport.

Domestic Travel

By Air: The private airlines Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan flies between Yangon and Bagan (Nyaung U), Mandalay (Thada U), Heho (Inle/ Taunggyi), Tachilik, Kyaing Tong, Thandwe (Ngapali) and Sittwe (Mrauk U) and other famous tourist sites.

By Train: Many of Myanmar Railways destinations are open to foreign tourists. Yangon - Mandalay by express train trip is the most popular.

By Express Coach: Private Air conditioned express coach are playing from Yangon to Bagan,  Meikhtila, Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi, Kyaik Hti Yo, and other famous tourist sites. By Express Boat: Mandalay - Bagan are plying by express double deck boats on a day trip.

Luxury boats takes 2 days / 1 night trip to Bagan .

Post & Telecommunications

The Central Post Office located at the corner of Bo-Aung Kyaw Street and Strand Road in Yangon. Operates from 9:30 am to 4:30 p.m.

Available to makes international calls, telexes and faxes in the nearly almost of the major tour sites.

Office Hours

Government and business: 9:30 am to 4:30pm. Monday through Saturday.

Dress

Cotton clothing and a light wrap for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. Please to be avoid wearing shorts, tank tops or sleeveless blouses when visiting Pagodas and temples. Footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries. All the times dress modestly.

Time

Myanmar Standard time (MST) is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/ UTC).

Climate and temperature

Myanmar has three distrinct seasons; winter, summer and the monsoon season.
Hot Season - March to May (Summer)
Average Temperature: 30 to 35 degree centigrade
Rain Season - June to September (Monsoon)
Average Temperature: 25 to 30 degree centigrade
Average Rain fall: 75 cm
Cool Season - Oct to Feb (Winter)
Average Temperature: 20 to 24 degree centigrade

Shopping

Best buys include lacquerwares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silks and cottons, gems, traditonal puppets and handicrafts. All gems and jewelries purchases should be made through a government authorized dealer who must issue an official receipt, which is required for export of such items.

Local Currency

The Myanmar currency is known as the "kyat" (pronounced chatt). Visitors may now change their dollars into FEC and then change their FEC legally into local currency at the market rate. Major hotels and some (very few) restaurants will accept major credit cards (please note Master Card is not accepted in Myanmar). The easiest way is to bring cash (US$) if possible.

Business/ Social Hints

Appointments should be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated. For Business meetings, men should wear a light-weight suit and tie. Women should wear modest clothes.

It is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Business Cards are exchanged after introduction. Many executives speak English. Visitors should be receptive to local customs and conventions.

On social occasions, e.g. invitation to restaurants should be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated.

Restricted Areas

• Mogoke [ruby mine] in the main land
• Hpakant [jade mines] in the Kachin State
• Chin State [except special travel permit to Mt. victoria]

Kayah State [Loikaw, the native place for Padaung tribe]

Except for the Loikaw the rest can be visited under special permit which considered case by case basis.

Semi-Restricted Areas
International tourists and foreigners coming in through the border check points with valid visa are allowed to travel to the areas mentioned bellow:

Northern Shan State
1. Package tour with valid visa arranged by the authorized tour companies are allowed to enter through Muse, Namkham, Kyu Koke and Kun Lone check points and proceed on to Mandalay and Yangon via Lashio either by air, road, or rail.
2. Package tour with valid visas arranged by the authorized tour companies are allowed to enter through Lwe-je check point and proceed on the Mandalay and Yangon via Bamaw either by air or water.

Easthern Shan State
1. Package tour with valid visa arranged by the authorized tour companies are allowed to enter through Tachilek and proceed on to Mandalay and Yangon by air.
2. Package tour with valid visa arranged by the authorized tour companies are allowed to enter through Mai Lar and proceed on to Mandalay and Yangon by air.

Traveling in Myanmar

The quickest and most comfortable way of domestic travel is by Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways, the two private domestic air carriers. Railways, ferry-boats and coaches may also be utilized for some KST Tour. The car and coaches used are later models, fully air-conditioned vehicles. Passport should be carried when travelling outside of Yangon.

Foreign Mission in Myanmar

The following countries maintain embassies or consulates in Yangon: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Phllippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Russia, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia.

Embassies of Myanmar