Leading Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country formally referred to as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't up until 1989 that the ruling military junta changed the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was seen as a relic of the country's former British colonial past, and also Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the country. Various other names were also changed, which is why you will see Rangoon currently referred to as Yangon.
For tourism, Burma travel is Myanmar travel. Same same, as they say in Southeast Asia.
Both the names Burma and Myanmar are still utilized interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This write-up breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and also the question: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to See Myanmar
There are typically three seasons in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summertime period
May to October: Damp, rainy season
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm but not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the limited lodging alternatives tricky to secure and will indicate attempting to book ahead or deal with paying out for the more costly alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature increases in Myanmar and also upcoming rainfalls are due. There is a minimal number of visitors that makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation but it is extremely hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to visitors from these 100 countries.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa site. You'll be required to submit a passport photo and also pay a fee of $50.
It takes under 10 mins to apply and also you should get authorization within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you get here and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the date of issue and allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local consular office might be more affordable-- if you wish to save some money, looking for a visa by means of your local Myanmar consular office might be less expensive. As an example, the expense is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the U.S.A., so do your research and also do not fail to remember to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to get in Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay as well as Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and at 3 Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration web site for the most recent at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for tourists as the very first mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and Laos to the east as well as India as well as Bangladesh to its west-- there are several avenues for land entrance, although not all of them are encouraged because of security.
No matter, you have to specify a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes exactly how you will certainly be getting to Myanmar. You will be provided a list of alternatives, where you will certainly need to pick among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and also Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the border to northern Thailand)
Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the border to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the most southern part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and also the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Area of northwestern Myanmar on the boundary to northeastern India).
Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the border town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
In truth, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" but it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned when possible to avoid any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any one of the International Airports as well as Land Border Checkpoints since your exit point does not require to be stated up front. Additionally, you may leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in and also out of Yangon is less expensive as well as has much more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices might be irritating however the cross country propositions are far more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and flying is budget-friendly so it may be your better choice.
You can still reserve flights the traditional way by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking people off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal and also getting your bag off a trolley by the plane as well as flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. And a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing companies and a variety of luxury levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
The majority of buses travel overnight which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so wonderful for rest. Also, you'll often tend to arrive at strange times in the early morning and also won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel up until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Think about if it will certainly be less costly to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same evening to rest straight away.
Buses are extremely chilly, the high-end buses will offer you a covering but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hours for a food as well as toilet break-- a bit aggravating if you're attempting to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, despite the fact that these are the buses which bring you to your destination around 3 or 4am. What's more, some still play their funky local song CD's as well as tacky video until the very early hours of the early morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be turned off.
Never ask a vehicle driver about fate, criminal activity levels are extremely reduced.
Still, you should take the common safety measures of making use of hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Female visitors should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is dirty and there isn't always soap in shower rooms so utilize your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth as well as nose when cycling around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you sick.
Fruit is simple to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. Nonetheless, as it's typically pre-cut, try to find a vendor that has kept the flies away as well as if it's sluiced with water, make certain it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories caution against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has resulted in the mass displacement of thousands of people. Some other parts of the nation stay closed to foreigners as a result of problem in between the government and also different ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are primarily in Kachin and also Shan States, near to the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, and far from the major tourist locations.
Exact info on disputes and closed areas can be difficult to find. Check your government's advice before travelling, and also inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent source of information from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders and also legs regardless of the heat, and also you will make everyone much more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also t-shirts are the clothing of choice. These are strongly encouraged and also commonly enforced for entering the temples as well as pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone puts on skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Lots of tourists pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so pick up an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot and also flip flops are the best footwear choice. Dealing with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after seeing a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will certainly find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach however in other places it's much less usual.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are exceptionally genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travelling can be aggravating, hot as well as slow-moving yet bear in mind: you picked to check out Myanmar which it's not the same as being at home is no good reason to take it out on the locals. However, haggle hard with the cab drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by citizens that wish to chat. Vacationers are no longer a novelty in most of Southeast Asia but Myanmar is different. Generally individuals are charming as well as are happy to appear in pictures as well as try and converse via limited common words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a whole lot which is typically best dealt with by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and if you're website paying for a guide, make certain they have great clear English before you book.
Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained pavements are a consequence of spewing red coloured saliva after chewing betel quids, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| since it supplies a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. Yet, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, many times onto the ground.
Great deals of citizens have the tell tale red discolored teeth as well as cab drivers often roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spew after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by kids in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the youngsters. Why not? Read this fantastic write-up by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese ladies. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar as well as additionally functions as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the coffee shops and dining establishments as locals utilize the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to identify the location of the kissing sound so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
Both essential expressions you require in Myanmar are:
Hello there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, yet it is well received. Be ready for the majority of locals to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not anticipating it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is normally done by hand and is charged per item rather than kilo so try to show up with your garments washed as well as unless you want to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really require washing and also clean your smaller items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are very easy to find by yet tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can't flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is very usual in developing countries where the plumbing system can't manage anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time area so it's 6 and a half hours in advance of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have numerous adaptors for European as well as North American 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to overcome it or, far better still, purchase a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airports when you land or in among the shops in the road as well as the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'rapid' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading video clips any time. Online accessibility has improved, with wi-fi the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses and coffee shops have it free of cost-- and also the internet is now spreading tofarther locations. But tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power interruptions can use the internet an irritating exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and do not anticipate to Skype home very often, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be much better with a backpack than a suitcase. aren't perfect on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Getting in as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up numerous steep stairs isn't far better.