Myanmar

It's a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure.

Naypyidaw

(Capital)
53.4 million

(Population)
Burmese

(Language)
GMT +7

(Time zone)
230V/50Hz

(Electricity)
Kyat

(Currency)

WHEN TO GO & WEATHER (Myanmar)

The very best time of year to visit Myanmar is between November and February, with warm dry days bringing in the bulk of the country’s annual visitors. However a visit in the 'green season' (the months immediately either side of these high season dates) can reward those looking to explore key sites in more solitude.

Overview

Myanmar Weather

Although Myanmar has two distinct seasons – dry and wet – you can visit the country throughout the year. That being said, at the peak of the wet season some regions become inaccessible and some, such as Ngapali Beach, close altogether, in preparation for the high winds and heavy rainfall that batter the coast annually.

Like much of South-East Asia, Myanmar's dry season runs from October through to May, and the wet season from May/June through to early October, when the south-west monsoon starts to blow. Within each season there are variations in temperature, with the dry months leading up to the wet season (March and April) and the early wet season (May and June) usually being the hottest of the year when temperatures can reach astronomical highs.

The colder months follow the end of the rains, from October to December/January, when it is cool in the foothills and highland areas, especially at night. The driest regions of the country, avoiding much of the annual rain, are the plains surrounding Bagan and Mandalay, which remain relatively dry aside from the odd heavy downpour, all the way through to August.

As you might expect, temperatures throughout the country are greatly affected by altitude, and therefore the hill stations, lakes and Himalayan foothills are far cooler than the southern lowland and coastal regions. As a general rule, the north, upper central and eastern regions are at a higher altitude than those in the west, lower central and south, where humidity is higher and temperatures in excess of 40°C are not uncommon during March and April.

The very best months to visit Myanmar are from November to February, although this is also the busiest time, when securing accommodation can become problematic.

Many experienced travellers often consider the ‘mid-season’, either side of this peak period, as the best time to visit as the weather is still generally very good (albeit ‘cooler’ in the months preceding and hotter in the months following the peak season) and crowds are far more minimal. Members of the Selective Asia team often visit in October and find the balance to be absolutely perfect – and yes, they do tend to still return with very enviable tans!

Throughout the country, in all but the hottest months of the year, it is often advisable to have a jumper or fleece for the evenings, when there is a tendency for it to get quite cool. ...[Read more]

WHERE TO GO

Bagan

Travelers with a passion for Buddhist temples, pagodas and stupas should have a field day in Bagan, since it contains more of these than any other place in the world. The most popular destination in Myanmar, Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire from the 9th to the 13th centuries. The site that Marco Polo once described as the “gilded city” was home to around Buddhist 13,000 temples in its 11th-century heyday. Thousands of temples, stupas and pagodas remain, including the famous Ananda temple with its sparkling gold spires.

Golden Rock

Golden Rock, or Kyaiktiyo Zedi as it is known locally, is a totally awesome sight: a pagoda (zedi) sitting atop a huge boulder that appears as if it’s about to fall off the edge of a cliff. Both are covered in golf leaf. The locals believe the boulder, which sits 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level, is held in place through a miracle of Buddha; the pagoda is said to contain a strand of his hair. Visiting here is a pilgrimage for Myanmar Buddhists. Golden Rock is about a five-hour drive from Yangon, and also involves a long walk. A staircase leads to the pagoda complex that houses several viewing platforms and Buddha shrines.

Taung Kalat

Built atop an extinct volcano plug, the Buddhist monastery of Taung Kalat is one of the most breathtaking sites in Burma. To reach the monastery, visitors must climb the 777 steps to the summit. Along the way are a multitude of Macaque monkeys expecting treats. From the top of Taung Kalat, one can enjoy a panoramic view. One can see the ancient city of Bagan and the massive solitary conical peak of Mount Popa, the volcano that actually caused the creation of the volcanic plug.

Inle Lake

Vast and serene Inle Lake is one of the top tourist attractions in Myanmar. Besides its considerable natural beauty the lake also attracts tourists for the stilt houses of the Intha, the descendants of Mon people from the far southeast. A typical day-trip on the lake, taken in a long, narrow boat with a noisy outboard motor, will stick to the northern reaches of Inle Lake. These trips also include visits to small workshops in stilt villages, several pagodas and probably a market. Travelers are also likely to see fishermen propelling their boats using a distinctive leg-rowing technique, and other Intha residents of the lake tending to fruit and vegetables on floating gardens.

Mrauk U

Mrauk U is an important archeological town. It was originally thought to be a fortress because of the thick walls, but the walls were made to protect temples from the fierce winds, not invaders. Stone temples can be found throughout the area. The medieval town was once an important Arakan capital and was an important trading city. Getting to this remote location involves a four- to seven-hour boat ride up a tributary of the Kaladan River. Travelers may want to bring rain gear at the region gets almost 1.2 meter (4 feet) of rain annually.

Ngapali

Ngapali combines two worlds in this Southeast Asian country. It is Myanmar’s premier resort town, with white sand beaches lining the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and luxury hotels. It is a great spot to chill out and just relax. Contrast this with its fishing village atmosphere with local restaurants serving the day’s catch and ox-carts doubling as taxis. Locals believe the town is named after Napoli (Naples) in Italy. Most people visit Ngapali November to March; the rest of the year it is a sleepy little beach town.

Bago

If it weren't for Bago's abundance of religious sites and the remains of its palace, it would be hard to tell that this scrappy town – 50 miles northeast of Yangon on the old highway to Mandalay – was once the capital of southern Myanmar. The much-delayed opening of the new Hanthawaddy International Airport in 2022, which will take over from Yangon as Myanmar's main air hub, is set to revive Bago's fortunes.

Yangon

Yangon (ရန္ကုန္), Myanmar's largest city, is by far the most exciting place in the country to be right now, as former political exiles, Asian investors and foreign adventurers flock in. As Myanmar's commercial and artistic hub, it's Yangon that most reflects the changes that have occurred since the country reopened to the world. There's a rash of new restaurants, bars and shops. And there are building sites – and traffic jams – everywhere.

Mandalay

Mandalay (မႏၱေလး) will never win any beauty contests. Myanmar's second city is a relatively new creation, founded at the foot of Mandalay Hill in 1857 by King Mindon as his royal capital. The hill, its slopes studded with pagodas, still looms over the city. But Mandalay was bombed flat in WWII and the palace disappeared, along with much else. The palace was rebuilt in the 1990s, and since then Mandalay has undergone a haphazard construction boom that was never about aesthetics. An ever-growing number of motorbikes and cars clog the roads, too, making for a sometimes smoggy city.

Myanmar Frequent Ask & Questions

What is the OFFICIAL e-visa website?

Evisa

Yangon (RGN) - Arrivals and Departures

INTERNATIONAL
ARRIVALS
Ensure you complete the Arrivals/Departures card given to you on your flight-also complete the Customs Declaration form. After, move to Visa queue. Do not go to the “Visa on Arrival” desk if you have an evisa. Continue, your Visa and passport has been processed , as you will need it when you depart the country. Then, Hand your Customs Declaration form in to the Customs Agent, you will not be allowed through without it.
DEPARTURES (T1 & 2)
if you don't know Airlines name and terminals, you can questions for your taxi driver who will know which airline operates from which terminal. The taxi will drop you kerbside. Continue, Your bags will be screened at the entrance and check-in desk your flight/airline. Then through passport and Visa check, and finally through a check.
DOMESTIC
DEPARTURES
An initial security check on entry and straight in front of you is a board indicating flight/airline check-in desk numbers. You may be given a flight sticker showing your airline and flight number when you check in. Continue, you go upstairs through a Boarding Card/Passport check and then a thorough Security check to go airside to the gate area .
ARRIVALS
you will be transferred to the terminal by bus. Your carousel will be indicated on the board. Anf then, You will get bags in the carousel.

Buying internal flight tickets in Myanmar

Have the two largest domestic airlines are
http://www.airkbz.com/
and https://www.flymna.com/

Kyats / US$/ ATM's / Credit Cards in Myanmar

Kyats is currrency of Myanmar
US$ is a popular currency used in many countries and have Myanmar
ATM's are used popular in Myanmar
Credit Cards: You will need check with your Bank that your Card will be accepted in Myanmar. Such as, Myanma have banks in Singapore and Bangkok,to where credit card can used in Myanmar. Special, Credit cards are accepted mostly only in top-end hotels.

Advice on using local Agents, and pricing guidelines.

USING LOCAL AGENTS
Myanmar had been some hotels developing their own websites and also linking with hotel booking sites to further develop modern booking techniques. Airline websites are also being developed to enable users to book and pay for etickets online or reserve tickets for collection and payment on arrival.
ITERNERARY PRICING
To do as much background research on your Itinerary, including hotels and specific dates, before you approach the Agent.
PAYMENT
Many Agents will require a deposit(usually 30%) through a Bank in Singapore or Bangkok. Most Agents will also take payment by credit card but this is an expensive option because of the high merchant fees imposed on them by the Banks and the Agent will charge 5% extra for payment by CC.

Essential advice on visiting Myanmar

Essential advice on visiting Myanmar are Visas (latest visa infor, including e-visa and over land travel requirement); setting your budget (work out how much your trip to Myanmar you will cost); Telephone, mobile and internet (up-to-date infor on mobile nextworks, sim cards and internet in Myanmar you can contact when come here); Currency, exchange rates and banks (banks, ATMs, credit cards and US dollar usage); Electricity and shortages (plug types and electicity supply issues); Culture and daily commoditation of Myanmar.

What about tipping in Myanmar ?

Tipping in Myanmar are an emotive and very personal thing and attitudes. You can tipping for the staff serving at the hotel restaurant. But with the local where tipping is not the norm, a generous tip could cause some embarrassment to the recipient.

What should I wear when visiting Temples?

When visiting temples in Myanmar, you should wear cover yourself.
You need Shoulders should be covered and long pants worn rather than shorts.
Dress should be modest, so both men and women should avoid shorts cut above the knee. Mini-skirts and tight or revealing clothing should not be worn

What are the tourist zone fees?

YANGON & VICINITY
1. Pagodas: Schwedagon Pagoda - 8000 Ks; Sule Pagoda/Botataung Pagoda/Kabaraye Pagoda- 3000Ks.
2. Museums: National Museum/Gem Museum-5000Ks; Aungsan Museum - 300Ks and Drug Elimination Museum-3000Ks.
3. Park: People Park - 3000Ks; Kandawgyi Park-2000Ks and Kyauktawgyi Park- 1000Ks.
The another tourist zone fees of Yangon and Vicinity: National race village - 3000Ks; Syrian Kyaikkhaut/Yelae Paya - 1000Ks; Bago - 10000Ks; Kyaikhto (Golden Rock)- 6000Ks and Kawkun Cave - 3000Ks.
BAGAN (Zone fee $20)
Bagan museum/ Nanmyint Tower/ Salay – 5000Ks
MANDALAY& VICINITY (Zone fee 10000Ks)
Jade Market $1; Mingun/Sagaing – 3000Ks; Kandawgyi (PyinOoLwin)/ Srikestra/ Hanlin/ Beikthanoe – 5000Ks; BE fall (Pwe Kauk Water Full) – 600Ks Monywa/ PoWin taung - $3 and Shweba taung $2.
INLE & TAUNGYI
Inle Zone Fee $10
Pindaya Zone fee $2 and Pindaya Gave $3
Museum: Taunggyi/ MraukU - $2
SITTWE (Zone Fee $2) & MRAUKU (Zone Fee $5)
Chin
Natmataung zone fee $10 and Mergui - $100