Visitors' Guide

Brief Information

The Land

Myanmar is the name which has long been used by its people to describe their homeland which the British called Burma. Also known as the Golden Land for its rich land and the wealth of its agriculture and minerals. Myanmar, with a total area of 676, 577 square kilometres, is the largest mainland in South-East Asia. It shares a total of 5858 km (3640 miles) of international borders with Bangladesh and India on the North-West, China on the North-East, Laos on the East and Thailand on the South-East. It has a total length of 2832 km (1760 miles) of coastlines. The country stretches 2090 km (1299 miles) from North to South and 925 km (575 miles) from East to West at its widest points. The official name is Union of Myanmar.

Climate

Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate with three general seasons: The rainy season from mid-May to mid-October; the cold season
from mid-October to mid-February and the hot season (summer) from mid-February to mid-May before the rains begin. The best time to visit Myanmar is from mid-October to mid-May during open season. However Upper Myanmar is good to travel round the year.

Historical Background

Early history of Myanmar began with the founding of the first capital of the Myanmar Kings at Tagaung, 100 miles upriver from Mandalay, reputed to have been thriving during the 5th Century B.C. The Pyu Civilization which followed flourished in the Ayeyawady valley from Tagaung to Pyay (former Prome) in the 1st Century B.C., and reached a high level of economic, social and cultural development. Myanmar's greatness in history dates back to 11th Century. There were three golden periods in Myanmar history, King Anawrahta consolidated the whole country into the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan (1044 A.D- 1077 A.D). The Bagan Empire encompassed the area of the present-day Myanmar and the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and lasted two centuries. The Bagan Dynasty collapsed with the invasion of the Mongols under Kublai Khan in the 13th Century. The Second Myanmar Empire of the Toungoo Period (1551 A.D-1581 A.D) was founded by King Bayint Naung; and King Alaungpaya founded the Third Myanmar Empire in 1752. It was during the zenith of the Konbaung Dynasty that the British moved into Myanmar. Myanmar became a British colony after three Anglo-Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885.

During the World War II, Myanmar was occupied by Japanese from 1942 till the return of the Allied Forces in 1945.

Myanmar regained the status of a "Sovereign Independent State" on 4th January, 1948, after 123 years of British colonial administration.

Religion

The first imperial capital of Myanmar, Bagan, became a world centre of the Theravada Buddhism by the start of the 12th Century A.D. Successive kings and their subjects choose to glorify their faith through the lavish and ambitious construction of monuments and Buddhist culture.

Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion with about 89.4 percent of the people embracing it. The said Buddhist percentage of the population-mainly are Bamars, Shans, Mons, Rakhines and some Kayins. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists. The Christian population is composed mainly of Kayins, Kachins and Chins. Islam and Hinduism are practised mainly by people of Indian origin.

The People

Myanmar's population, spread over 7 States and 7 Divisions, is over 56 million in 2007. It is a Union of nationalities as many as 135 groups, with their own languages and dialects. The term Myanmar embraces all nationalities: Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. The Bamars make up about 69 percent of the total population. The population growth rate is about 1.5 percent.

Culture

Myanmar lies in a meeting place of two of the world's great civilizations�China and India�but its culture is neither that of India nor China exclusively, but a blend of both interspersed with Myanmar native traits and characteristics. Buddhism has great influence on daily life of Myanmars.

Myanmar people have preserved the traditions of close family ties, respect for the elders, reverence for Buddhism and simple native dress. Myanmar people are fun loving; and festivals form the centre of Myanmar social life; and each month has its own festive occasion. Myanmars are known for their simplicity, honesty, generosity, hospitality and friendliness.

Economy

Since late 1988, Myanmar has replaced the centrally planned economy with a more liberalized economic policy based on market-oriented system. In moving towards a more market-oriented economy, Myanmar has liberalized domestic and external trade, promoting the role of private sector and opening up to foreign investment. The Union of Myanmar Foreign Investment Commission has been set up. Foreign Investment Law, New Central Bank Of Myanmar Law, Financial Institutions of Myanmar Law and Myanmar Tourism Law and other necessary Laws have been enacted; and "Chamber of Commerce and Industry" has been reactivated. Myanmar is richly endowed with renewable and non-renewable energy resources which are being exploited by the State sector with the participation of local and foreign investors.

Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy and measures have been taken to increase productivity, diversification of crop patterns and revitalization of agriculture exports.

Dress

Myanmars used to wear light casual dress almost all year round except in mountainous areas. Thin cotton is the best in summer and open season. A cardigan or light sweater needs for the cold season especially when visiting Upper Myanmar, like Mandalay, Bagan and hilly region. Generally, a warm sweater or light jacket may be necessary in the cold season (winter). An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season and summer. Sandals or slippers are convenient.

Visitors are advised not to wear short pants, and short skirts and uncivilized dresses when visiting pagodas and monasteries. All foot-wears must be taken off when entering the precincts of pagodas, monasteries, religious buildings and homes.

Currency

Myanmar currency is Kyat which comprises 100 Pyas.
Notes : Kyats 1000, Kyats 500, Kyats 200, Kyats 100, Kyats 90, Kyats 50, Kyats 20, Kyats 15, Kyats 10, Kyats 5, Kyat 1
and 50 Pyas.
Coins : Kyat 1, 50 Pyas, 25 Pyas, 10 Pyas, 5 Pyas and 1 Pya.

Passport and Visa

A valid passport with a Myanmar Visa is required for all visitors. Visa applications may be made at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate offices abroad.

For the types of Tourist Visa and Business Visa, you will obtain the entry stay permit the length of 28 days which is started to count from the day you enter into Myanmar and the day you leave the country. The Tourist Visa costs US$ 20 per application and it can be extended up to 14 days with additional visa fees. The Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days and it can be extended up to 10 weeks accordingly.

Visas on arrival are issued to those traveling on Croise Liners or Chartered Flights and to the tour groups from the countries with no Myanmar diplomatic mission. Applying for Visa on Arrival, the applications may need to be made through licensed tour agencies which are officially registered in Myanmar and two months before arrival to Myanmar.

Once you can apply Myanmar Visa direct from a web-based to the official Visa Authorities. Online Visa is applicable at www.visa.gov.mm.

Customs

All foreign currencies above US$ 2000, jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the airport. Exports of antiques and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems, jewellery and silverware purchased at the
authorized shops are allowed to be taken out.

Duty-Free

For visitors' convenience, there are Duty-Free Shops in the airport arrival and departure lounges. Allowance is 2 Bottle of liquor, 2 cartons of cigarettes, 100 cigars and 1/2 litre of perfumes.

Airport Departure Tax

US $ 10. It is advisable to reconfirm int�l flights before going out country.

Tourist Information Service

Tourist Information Service counters are located at the airports, the railway stations, the hotels and the main office downtown for information and assistance you may need.

Foreign Exchange

Foreign currencies must be changed only at authorized money changers at airport, hotels, banks and Myanmar travels and tours offices. For their convenience, the central bank of Myanmar has issued Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) in Dollar units.

Visitors may bring in any amount of foreign currency but it must be declared to the customs if it exceeds US$ 2,000.

Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) are issued in four denominations of S20, $10, $5 and $1 and FECs can be purchased with US Dollar, or Pound Starling. FECs are accepted by Pagodas and Museums as a payment of admission fees.

Media (Radio & TV)

There are Myanma Radio, City FM and Five channels in Television such as Myanmar Television (MRTV), Myawaddy TV (Armed Forces), MRTV-3, MRTV-4 and Movie-5.

Newspapers

There are five Newspapers in Myanmar: "The Myanma Alin", "The Kyemon" (The Mirror), "The New Light of Myanmar" which is the only newspaper in English, "The Myodaw" (City News evening tabloid) and "The Yadanabon" which is being published in Mandalay.