Myanmar Travel Facts

Burma (also known as Myanmar) is a spectacular jewel that has remained hidden for decades, but which is now opening up to the world revealing astonishing natural beauty and an unparalleled cultural heritage.
With a civilisation that’s more than 2,500 years old, Burma is a mysterious and magical land with magnificent temple architecture set in timeless and sublime landscapes.
Everywhere a visitor travels in Burma, they will encounter hospitable, inquisitive and friendly people more than willing to share their fascinating culture.

TRAVEL TO MYANMAR
By air: there are numbers of airlines from neighboring countries operating flights to Myanmar.You should check for the schedule of the flights as some are not really daily flights.
Flight routes:
– Bangkok – Yangon                                                   Singapore – Yangon
– Kuala Lumpur – Yangon                                         Chiang Mai  – Yangon
– Phu Ket  – Yangon                                                    Siem Reap – Yangon
– Hanoi – Yangon                                                        Ho Chi Minh city – Yangon
– Kung Ming – Yangon                                                Peijing – Yangon

Domestic Flights information                                 Myanmar International Flights
By Land:
Not all the borders of Myanmar are open to cross from one country to another.
Borders are available for cross Indochina trips: MAE SAI ( Thailand), RUILI ( China), TAMU (India)

MYANMAR VISITING AREAS:
Major attractions of Myanmar are : Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Ngapali, Ngwe Saung, Putao, Kalaw… are opened for your visits.
Restricted areas: Kayah and Chin states 
To visit Putao ( north Myanmar ), some Chin villages, Mergui archipelago; you need permission.

MYANMAR TRANSPORTATIONS:
– Most of the small car and minivan in Myanmar are slightly old. They belonged to the models of Toyata which were produced during 1990s. However, Myanmar is going to be emergingly developed, since 2013, new cars have been imported from Japan and China, you can see many new modern cars now in Myanmar (model 2000s)
– Taxis are often without air conditioning.
– Motorbikes are banned in Yangon but not Mandalay.
– Public transportation are not really recommended for tours.
– Traveling by bus is safer and smoother than by train even both take long time. VIP seats on bus is recommended as there will be lavatory on bus. Both bus and train will stop several times on the way for customers to rest and pick up new guests.

MYANMAR COMMUNICATION SERVICE:
– Internet access is not popular in Myanmar except for some major cities including Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan.
– Most of the hotels in Myanmar provide internet services.
– Internet drop off is common.  Please be ready for slow access and limited connection.
– It is cheap and easy to buy a sim card in Myanmar from $2 since August 2014, the common one is OOREDOO for foreigner. A guide could help to buy or you can buy it yourself with the passport and visa provided for the shop owner.
– With an OOREDOO SIM, however, you can not use it at Bagan. Normally, locals people will buy MTP sim card which can be used in most area in Myanmar.

 MYANMAR GENERAL INFORMATION

* Country name: Republic of the Union of Myanmar
* Area:  421,600 sq miles
* Population 47.4 million (officially)
* Languages Burmese, English
* Currency: Kyat
* Captial: Nay Pyi Daw
* International airport: Yangon
* Border: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, India, Bangladesh

IMPORTANT TRAVEL FACTS: 

1. Climate:
– Hot season: March – May
– Rainy season June – late Sept
– Cool season: October – Feb

2. Money Matter
– ATMs available
– USD, EURO notes are accepted
– Use local currency for traveling is the best

3. Communications:
– Internet connections: slow
– Mobile phone: available

MYANMAR VISA