Leading Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country officially called Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it wasn't until 1989 that the ruling military junta altered the country's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was viewed as a relic of the country's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the country. Other names were additionally changed, which is why you will see Rangoon now referred to as Yangon.
For tourism, Burma travel is Myanmar travel. Same same, as they say in Southeast Asia.
Both the names Burma and also Myanmar are still used interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This short article breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say as well as the question: does it even matter?
Best Times to Visit Myanmar
There are usually 3 periods in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summertime season
May to October: Wet, rainy period
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather is warm however not stifling, as well as draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the minimal holiday accommodation alternatives tricky to secure and will indicate attempting to book in advance or deal with paying for the a lot more costly alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level climbs in Myanmar and also upcoming rains are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it easy to book lodging however it is exceptionally warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 countries.
To obtain one, go to the official e-Visa site. You'll need to upload a passport photo and pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and you should get approval within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you arrive and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter is valid for 90- days from the date of issue and permits you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local consular office might be more affordable-- if you want to save some cash, obtaining a visa using your local Myanmar consular office may be less expensive. As an example, the price is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the United States, so do your research as well as don't neglect to consider mailing expenses.
It is only possible to go into Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at three Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration web site for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual alternative for visitors as the first mode of entry, with regular scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, thinking about where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and Laos to the east and India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are several methods for land entry, although not all of them are recommended due to security.
Regardless, you need to define a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes just how you will be getting to Myanmar. You will be given a list of choices, from which you will certainly need to select 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 as well as Yangon)
Crossing at Land Border 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 boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Region on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and also the cluster of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Myanmar on the border to northeastern India).
Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the border village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to stay with the one you originally mentioned when possible to prevent any hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints considering that your exit point does not need to be mentioned up front. Additionally, you might exit at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is more affordable as well as has more connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport choices may be discouraging but the cross country propositions are much more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow-moving and flying is cost effective so it might be your much better option.
You can still book flights the traditional way by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in involves ticking people off a listing of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal as well as grabbing your bag off a trolley by the plane as well as flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. And also a great deal of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are affordable with competing businesses and also a series of luxury levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
A lot of buses travel over night which is excellent for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, however isn't so terrific for rest. Also, you'll often tend to arrive at odd 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 great deal of hrs awaiting a 'top-up' snooze. Consider if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to rest straight away.
Buses are extremely cold, the high-end buses will certainly give you a blanket but, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hours for a food as well as toilet break-- a bit discouraging 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 even more, some still play their funky local music CD's and also cheesy music videos up until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be switched off.
Never ever ask a driver about fate, crime levels are incredibly low.
Still, you need to take the usual preventative measures of utilizing hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female tourists should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is filthy as well as there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when biking around. Additionally take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, lots of travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you unwell.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your immune system with nutrients this way. Nevertheless, as it's frequently pre-cut, search for a vendor that has actually kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, ensure 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 as well as the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has caused the mass displacement of thousands of people. A few other parts of the nation stay closed to foreigners because of dispute between the government and various ethnic militaries gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mainly in Kachin and also Shan States, near to the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, and far from the significant vacationer locations.
Accurate information on problems as well as closed areas can be difficult to find. Check your government's recommendations prior to taking a trip, and inquire about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good resource of news from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders and also legs in spite of the high temperatures, and also you will make everyone more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also tee shirts are the attire of choice. These are highly encouraged and often enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everybody wears skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Many vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the heat as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so get a cheap one a the market if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are vital! Getting in pagodas means going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear selection. Struggling with laces in the blistering heat is an undesirable interruption. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after going to a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative country so you'll blend much better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach but somewhere else it's much less typical.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are incredibly genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, warm and slow but remember: you picked to go to Myanmar and that 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 whole lot by citizens who intend to talk. Travelers 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 photographs and also try and converse with limited typical words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a lot which is generally best handled by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, pay attention and if you're spending for a guide, ensure they have good clear English before you book.
Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained pavements are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, small parcels which contain tobacco, spices as well as areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| because it supplies a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, most times onto the ground.
Lots of citizens have the tell tale red discolored teeth as well as taxi drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by kids in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this great article by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese women. This is Thanaka, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar and likewise functions as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as dining establishments as locals use the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's less complicated for staff to recognize the location of the kissing sound so don't be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
The two most important phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hi: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, however it is well received. Be prepared for many residents to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is usually done by hand and also is billed per item as opposed to kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered and unless you want to turn over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you truly require washing as well as wash your smaller sized items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are simple to find by however tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can not flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is extremely common in developing nations where the plumbing system can not deal with anything other than bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that weird 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 several adaptors for European and North American check here 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, far better still, get a local SIM. You can get one at the majority of airport terminals when you land or in one of the stores in the street and also the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can learn more about your network options below. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' connection, do not expect to be downloading video clips any time. Online accessibility has improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it totally free-- and also the web is currently spreading tomore remote places. However tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can use the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, and also do not expect to Skype home very often, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be better with a backpack than a travel suitcase. aren't excellent on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up lots of high stairs isn't better.