Myanmar information Archives

NYAUNG U

Airport to City: 15 km

Climate: Dry zone, 12 °C to 40 °C

Must Experience: Ananda Pagoda, Shwezigone Pagoda, Shwesandaw Pagoda (sunset), wall murals, Nyaung U Market.

Lies on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. It is just 4 kilometers away from Old Bagan, a popular tourist attraction. There are a handful of temples to see, including the Shwezigon Pagoda, and a lively market. Nyaung U Airport is the primary air gateway to the city of Bagan and surrounding areas.

MONYWA

Airport to city: 14km

Climate: Tropical Savanna, 14 °C to 38 °C

Must Experience: Bodhitataung Pagoda, the world’s biggest standing Buddha image, Hpo Win Hill, Kyaukkar Shwe Guni.

Monywa is a city in central Myanmar situated on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River in Mandalay Region. Monywa has grown into a major bustling trading center for agricultural produce from the surrounding Chindwin Valley. Monywa’s rough cotton blankets are famous throughout Myanmar.

NAYPYIDAW

Airport to City: 16 km

Climate: Hot tropical climate, 14 °C to 38 °C

Must Experience: Uppatasanti Pagoda, National Herbal Park, Safari Park, Gem Museum

Naypyidaw is the capital of Myanmar and is considered the third largest city in the country due to its thriving population. Naypyidaw translates into English as Royal Capital. In keeping up with this majestic title, the Uppatasanti Pagoda, Naypyidaw’s golden temple, was erected at the center of the city. Government ministries are concentrated in this capital. Interesting places in Naypyidaw include the huge and impressive parliament building and the National Herbal Park which houses medicinal plants from all of the major regions of Myanmar. The Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens are home to 420 animals and a climate-controlled penguin house. It is the largest zoo in Myanmar.

MANDALAY

Airport to City: 40 km

Climate: Tropical wet and dry climate, 13.3 °C to 40 °C

Must Experience: Mandalay Hill, Mandalay Palace, U Bein Bridge, Mingun, Sagaing

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar. Located on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, and is the capital of Mandalay Region. The city is the economic and religious hub of upper Myanmar and is centered on the Royal Palace. Mandalay is the historical old capital, a capital of Myanmar culture, Buddhist Sasana and Myanmar traditional arts and crafts; it is the richest historical landmark next to Bagan.

LASHIO

Airport to City: 6.6 km

Climate: Tropical climate, 12 °C to 36 °C

Must Experience: Tar Law Market, Shwedagon Pagoda Image Clone

Lashio was a stop on the Burma Road during World War II. Today it is a booming mercantile town that provides connection to Muse on the border with China, or a stop for tourists crossing from China.

TACHILEIK

Airport to City: 5km

Climate: Humid subtropical climate, 5 °C to 32 °C

Must Experience: Hot spring water, Yan Tine Aung, Myo Oo pagoda

Tachileik is a Thai border in eastern Shan State that is being upgraded as a gateway to the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Friendship Bridge across the small Mae Sai Stream links Tachileik with the northern Thai border town of Mae Sai.

HEHO

Airport to City: 4.5 km

Climate: warm temperate climate, 7 C to 29 C

Must Experience: Inle Lake, Pindaya Cave, Kakku Pagoda, Taunggyi, Kalaw

Heho is most known because it has an international airport with connections to Yangon, Mandalay, and other domestic airports. From there, most people take a tour bus, taxi or pickup to get to tourist center the great Inle lake.

BHAMO

Airport to City: 3.1 km

Climate: Humid subtropical climate, 7.5 C to 34 C

Must Experience: Bhamo Harbour, Theindaw Gyi Pagoda, Shat Pyay Harbour

Bhamo is a city in Kachin State, northern Myanmar. It is a quiet town on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, which is often a stop-off point for travelers on their river journey between Mandalay, Katha and Myitkyina. Near Bhamo you can find the ruins of Sampanago, which was once the capital of the fifth-century Shan kingdom of Manmaw.

HOMALIN

Airport to City: 3.7 km

Climate: humid tropical climate, 10 °C to 34 °C

Must Experience: Shan and Naga New Year Festival, Ma Lin pagoda, Shwe Laung pagoda, Htamanthi forest

Homalin is a town in northwestern Myanmar in Hkamti District of Sagaing Region. It is surrounded by forested mountains that rise to an elevation of 2700 meters. The town lies on the Chindwin River and is served by Homalin Airport. The remote Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve, home to elephants, leopards, tigers and bears, is located near Homalin.

PUTAO

Airport to City: 1 km

Climate: humid subtropical climate, 6.5 °C – to 28 °C

Must Experience: Putaung village, Kaungmulone pagoda, Spirit island (Nat Kyun), Hopine Shan village, Upper Shankhaung village, Mularshide Lizu village and Mula River, Nankhan Rawan village, Zewon village, Machanbaw View point and Malikha river.

Putao is the northernmost town of Kachin State, Myanmar. It is the principal town in Putao Township. It can only be reached by road during summer but is accessible year round by air. This charming town is situated on the bank of Namlaung River and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The weather is cold year around. Putao is the starting point for Myanmar’s most adventurous trekking expeditions to Mount Khaka Bo Razi and Mount Gam Lan Razi. When you arrive at Putao, one place you should visit is Mulashidi village 8 miles from Putao. On the way to the village, there are lovely traditional houses along the road. Mostly Lisu nationals live in Mulashidi village, which is home to a suspension bridge built over Mula River. It is 200 feet long and 6 feet wide and made of steel cables. Water flowing in the Mula River under the bridge is clear and cool because of melting ice from the mountains. Putao is also famous for the variety of endemic birds and rare orchids, which grow naturally. The best time to visit is from November to April.

MYITKYINA

Airport to City: 7 km

Climate: humid subtropical climate, 10 °C to 34 °C

Must Experience: Indawgyi lake, Shwe Myitsone, Manaw festival (first week of January), Lhaung Taw Mu pagoda, Yat Taw Mu pagoda.

Myitkyina is the capital city of Kachin State. The location of the city, in an opportunistic valley between India and China, made it strategic enough to be on the Ledo Road built by the US General Joseph Stilwell during World War II. Myitkyina is now a busy town and acts as the business center of Kachin State.

Source: SWIFT – Asian Wings Airways

TIME: GMT + 6 hours 30 minutes

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY:

230 volts AC 50 Hz, UK plug

VISA INFORMATION:

Myanmar requires a visa for all foreigners visiting the country. A valid passport with entry visa is required of all visitors. A tourist visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days. Applications can be made at any Myanmar embassy and consulate general office abroad. Show your passport and disembarkation card on arrival to the immigration officer at the international airport. Visa-on-arrival (VOA) is now available for business people and entrepreneurs at Yangon International Airport.

>> Obtain Myanmar on Arrival Visa

>> Myanmar Embassy List & Visa Updates

AIRPORT TAX:

There will be passenger service charge of 1000 kyats for all domestic passengers.

CUSTOMS:

At the port of entry, all foreign currencies, jewellery, electrical and electronic articles, and cameras that are to be carried out upon departure must be declared on the customs form. Export of antiques, archaeological objects and unset gemstones is prohibited.

COMMUNICATION:

The international dialing code for Myanmar is +95. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. Internet cafes are widely available in Yangon and Mandalay as well as at all major cities. Public telephone booths can be found at many street comers, railway stations, bus terminals and airports in big cities. Please note that mobile phones from other countries will not work in Myanmar. However, domestic mobile rentals are available at Yangon and Mandalay airports.

WHAT TO WEAR:

For hot weather, light, casual cotton clothing is best. When visiting northern Myanmar during the cold season (November-February), take a sweater or light jacket. During the rainy season (May-October), sandals, quick-drying clothes and an umbrella are recommended. The dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribes decent apparel, and no footwear is allowed.

CLIMATE:

Myanmar has three seasons: the monsoon or rainy season from May to October; the cool season from November to February; and the hot season from March to May. The average temperature ranges from 32°C in central and lower areas, to 21 °C in the northern highlands.

BUSINESS HOURS:

Government offices:

09:30 to 16:30 (Monday to Friday)

Banks: 10:30 to 14:00 (Monday to Friday)

Shops: 10:00 to 21:00 (Monday to Saturday; many are also open Sunday)

CURRENCY:

The local currency is the kyat (pronounced “chat”), which is issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 notes.

The exchange rate can vary greatly and quickly, so please check on arrival.

>> Myanmar currency & Money exchange

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Please use discretion when photographing people. For close-up shots always ask permission first.

ENTERTAINMENT

There is not much in the way of Western-style entertainment in Myanmar, but Yangon has a few bars and nightclubs. In the rest of the country, entertainment is mostly confined to hotels and tourist-orientated restaurants. For those seeking a taste of local culture in the evenings, head to a tea shop, beer hall or night market where the locals gather to relax and socialize.

FOOD

The staples of Burmese cuisine are rice, rice noodles and curries. The main ingredient of the meal is usually rice, and the curries tend to be less spicy as those from India or Thailand. Chinese, Indian and European food are served in restaurants at most tourist places.

>> Myanmar popular snacks

LANGUAGE

The national language of Myanmar is Burmese, of which there are more than 80 different dialects spoken. In the cities, many of the older generation still speak very good English, which is also becoming popular again with the younger generation.

Source: SWIFT – Asian Wings Airways

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