Leading Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it had not been 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 seen as a relic of the nation's previous British colonial past, as well as Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Various other names were additionally altered, 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 made use of interchangeably, on the ground as well as on the world stage. This article breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to Go To Myanmar
There are generally 3 periods in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm but not stifling, and brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, consequently, makes the minimal lodging options challenging to secure and also will certainly mean trying to book in advance or deal with paying for the more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature rises in Myanmar and impending rainfalls are due. There is a minimal number of tourists which makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation but it is exceptionally warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is offered to visitors from these 100 countries.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa web site. You'll be required to submit a passport photo as well as pay a charge of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and also 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 day of issue and permits you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy may be more affordable-- if you want to save some money, requesting a visa via your local Myanmar consular office may be less expensive. For example, the expense is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the U.S.A., so do your research as well as don't forget to consider mailing expenses.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and also Nay Pyi Taw international airports; as well as at three Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration site for the latest at the time you take a trip.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the normal option for visitors as the first mode of entrance, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. However, considering where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and Laos to the eastern as well as India as well as Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple methods for land entrance, although not every one of them are advised due to safety.
No matter, you have to define a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes just how you will be reaching Myanmar. You will be given a list of choices, where you will certainly require to pick one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and also Yangon)
Crossing at Land Border Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the boundary to northern Thailand)
Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the border to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and the collection 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).
Actually, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to stay with the one you initially mentioned ideally to avoid any type of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports and Land Border Checkpoints since your exit point does not need to be mentioned up front. In addition, you may exit at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is less expensive and also has more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport options may be frustrating yet the cross country propositions are far more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow-moving as well as flying is cost effective so it may be your far better choice.
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 entails ticking people off a listing of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport as well as grabbing your bag off a cart 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 really is an experience. And also a lot of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing businesses and also a variety of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Most buses travel overnight which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, yet isn't so wonderful for sleep. Likewise, you'll tend to arrive at strange times in the early morning and won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Consider if click here it will certainly be cheaper to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to take a nap straight away.
Buses are extremely cold, the high-end buses will certainly provide you a covering but, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hrs for a food and toilet break-- a little bit frustrating if you're attempting to sleep 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 and also cheesy music videos until the very early hours of the morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be switched off.
Never ask a driver about fate, crime levels are exceptionally low.
Still, you need to take the normal precautions of making use of hotel lockers or safes for your valuables. Women travellers should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is gross and there isn't always soap in restrooms so utilize your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and nose when biking around. Likewise take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several visitors use the a/c in their room yet sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your body immune system with nutrients that way. Nonetheless, as it's frequently pre-cut, search for a seller that has kept the flies away as well as if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories alert against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities and also the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of thousands of individuals. Some other parts of the nation remain closed to foreigners due to problem in between the government and also different ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and Thailand, and far from the significant vacationer destinations.
Accurate details on disputes and closed locations can be tough to come by. Check your government's advice before taking a trip, as well as ask about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great source of information from travellers on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| and also cover their shoulders as well as legs despite the high temperatures, and also you will certainly make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also tee shirts are the clothing of choice. These are strongly encouraged as well as commonly enforced for entering the temples as well as pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Lots of travelers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are practical for taking in the sights so grab an inexpensive one a the marketplace if you have the chance.
Flip flops are necessary! Getting in pagodas means going barefoot as well as flip flops are the very best footwear option. Dealing with laces in the blistering heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleaning 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 find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach however somewhere else it's much less typical.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are exceptionally genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travel can be aggravating, hot and slow however remember: you chose to go to Myanmar and that it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the citizens. Nonetheless, bargain hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a great deal by citizens that wish to chat. Travelers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Normally the people are lovely and also are happy to appear in pictures as well as try and also converse through minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a whole lot which is normally 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 as well as if you're paying for a guide, make certain they have excellent 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 most likely popular| because it provides a hit that amounts to six mugs of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, a lot of times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red discolored teeth and taxi drivers usually roll down the window in slow traffic to spit after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and 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 ladies. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar as well as additionally serves as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to determine the area of the kissing audio so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
The two essential 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 locals to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is usually done by hand and is billed per item as opposed to kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered and unless you intend to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you truly need washing and also clean your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are very easy 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 very common in developing nations where the plumbing system can't deal with anything other than bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that unusual half-hour difference| to its time area so it's 6 and a half hrs ahead 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, much better still, buy a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airports when you land or in among the shops in the street and also the shop staff will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can read more concerning your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'quick' link, don't anticipate to be downloading videos whenever. On-line access has actually improved, with wi-fi becoming the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses and cafes have it free of cost-- and the web is currently spreading tofarther locations. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power outages can make using the web an irritating exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and also don't 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 luggage. Travel suitcases aren't ideal on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up lots of high stairs isn't much better.