The Golden Land of the World

Myanmar is a new and emerging tourist destination in South East Asia. Known to most travelers as the Golden land, Myanmar is rich in cultures and natural attractions. There are numerous pagodas, temples, beauty spots, archaeological sites, snow-peaked mountains, deep forests with abundant flora and fauna, rivers and natural lakes, unspoilt beaches and archipelagoes, 135 national races with their colourful costumes and customs, traditional arts and crafts all make up Myanmar the most exotic and fascinating destination in Asia. Visitors will find Myanmar a beautiful and peaceful place with the most hospitable people in the world.

The land

Myanmar, known as the Golden Earth in the olden days for its fertile land and rich natural resources is the largest country in the South-east Asia borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. Total land area is about 677,000sq.km. It is about the size of Texas and the size of United Kingdom and France combined. The country stretches over 2090 km from north to south and over 925 km from east to west. It has a 2832 km long coastline on the Indian Ocean. Over 50percent of the total land area is covered with forest.

Climate

Myanmar mainly enjoys a tropical climate with three seasons, namely; the Hot Season, the Rainy Season and the Cold Season. Average temperature ranges from 32'C in central and lower areas to 21'C in northern highlands.

Population

The Union of Myanmar has a population of over 49 million. Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups but the major races are Kachin, Kayah, Karan, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan.

Religion

90 percent of Myanmar embraces Buddhism. The rest practice Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and animism.

Culture

Myanmar lies on the cross-road of two of the world's great civilizations China and India - but it culture is neither that of India nor that of China exclusively, but a blend of both interspersed with Myanmar native traits and characteristics. Buddhism has greatly influence on the daily lives of Myanmar. The people have preserved the tradition of close family ties, respect for elders, reverence for Buddhism and simple native dress. Myanmars are contended and cheerful even in the face of adversities and known for their simple hospitality and friendliness.

Clothing

Light, casual wear, preferably cotton is suitable all year round. Cardigans of light jerkin, when visiting northern Myanmar in the cold season and an umbrella during the rainy season are suggested. Sandals or slippers are convenient, as the dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe decent apparel and no footwear (i.e removal of shoes and socks).

Language

The official language is Myanmar. English is widely spoken and understood.

Economy

It is a transitional economy moving from 26 years of centrally planned socialist economy to market-oriented economy. Private sector has been encouraged and developed in both domestic and external trade. Foreign investment is allowed in almost all sector of the economy. Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy. In industry, small and medium enterprises are given priority in agro-based industries. Myanmar has enormous potentials for long-term economic development.

Time

6:30 hours ahead of GMT
30 minutes behind Thailand
1:30 hours behind, China, Singapore, Hong Kong

Electricity

230 Volts AC , 50Hz

Business Hours

Banks - 9:30-15:00 Mon-Fri
Offices - 9:30-16:30 Mon-Fri
Shops - 6:00-22:00 Mon-Sun

Dress

Lights casual wear for all year except northern parts during the cold season. Visitors should not wear hot pants or shorts when visiting pagodas and sandals or slippers are convenient as it is required to remove all footwear at the entrance.

Myanmar Food

The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. There are numerous forms of fish paste with salad. Soup is taken together with the rice and other dishes Mohinga, rice noodles with fish gravy; and Ohn-No-Khaukswe, noodles with coconut and chicken curry, are popular Myanmar dishes for breakfast and light meals.

Myanmar is also a country of seafood. Crabs, prawns, lobsters and other shellfish are among the popular dishes available at most Myanmar and Chines Restaurants in Yangon and in other parts of the country.

Typical Myanmar Restaurants serve both meat and vegetable dishes. Most restaurants in Myanmar serve Chinese and Indian food. Other Asian food include Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Singapore-style. European food is served mostly at the hotels and there are a couple of restaurants in Yangon serving Italian food.

Myanmar is a country of tea shops and there are several fast food centres and snack bars in Yangon and Mandalay.

Shopping

While duty-free shops, department stores, supermarkets and mini-markets in Yangon offer a wide choice of products, both foreign and local with fixed prices , the real magic of shopping is to be found mainly in the well-known Bogyoke Aung San Market where shopping is fun and easy; and bargaining is acceptable. Situated in the heart of Yangon; housing 2000 shops with a wide selection of unique locally made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings, traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor made clothes are a few of the sought after items.

Myanmar arts and crafts mostly pure hand-made, are the best souvenirs with reasonable prices, Lacquerware, wood and ivory carving, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabric and traditional garments, shoulder bags are some of the favourite items. World renowned Myanmar rubies, jade sapphires and pearls are also available at Myanmar Gems Centre and other licensed jewellery shops.

The shops at Bogyoke Aung San Market are open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm except on Mondays and gazetted holidays.

Entertainment

Traditional Music and Cultural Dances (Karaweik Palace, Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Yadanar Garden, Lone Ma Lay Restaurant)
Music Pubs, Karaoke Launge, Disco club etc.

Airport Facilities

Yangon International Airport is located 20 km from downtown Yangon. The Arrival Terminal is located separately from the Departure Terminal and the Domestic Terminal and simplified procedures ensure that on arrival and departure, international passengers are processed quickly through immigration and customs. Both Yangon and Mandalay International Airports are the main gates.

Airport Tax

The airport tax is US$ 10 for international passengers, payable in FEC(Foreign Exchange Certificates). There is no airport tax on domestic flights.

Domestic Flight

The main tourist centres are located at a distance from Yangon, and it is convenient for visitors to travel by domestic flights. Myanmar Airways, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways operate flights for major tourist sites including Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Myitkyina, Tachileik and Kawthaung.

Domestic Airlines

Air Mandalay
146 Damazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (+95.1)525 488, 525 500, 527 618, 527 619
Fax: (+95.1)525 535, 252 937
Email: airmandalay@myanmars.net
Yangon Airway
22,24, Pansoedan St., KTDA
Tel: 95-1-250 821, 251 932
Fax: 95-1-251 932
Email: Yangonairways@myanmars.net
Email: rgnyahk@sita.gmsmail.com
Myanmar Airways (UB)
104, Strand Rd, KTDA
Tel: 274 874, 277 013
Fax: 289 583

International Airlines

Online Airlines

Air China
206.Bawga St., 9 Mile, Ward(5). MYGN
Tel: 665 187
Fax: 665 119
All Nippon Airways
339, Rm0201, 2nd Fl, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Sakura Tower, KTDA
Tel: 255 412, 255 413
Fax: 255 417
Biman Bangladesh Airline (BG)
106,108 Pansoedan St, KTDA
Tel: 275 882, 281 141
India Airlines Limited (IC)
127, Sule Pagoda Rd., KTDA
Tel: 254 758, 253 598
Fax: 248 175
Email: BANDOOLA@mptmail.net.mm
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
335,337 Bogyoke Aung San St., Ground Floor,
Central Hotel, PBDN
Tel: 241 007 Ext(707-6)
Fax: 241 124
Mandarin Airlines (AE)
353,355 Bo Aung Kyaw St. RBDN
Tel: 240 399, 245 484
Fax: 246 330
Myanmar Air Ways Int'l (MAI)
123, 139 Sule Pagoda Rd., KTDA
Tel: 289 772, 289 773
Silk Air
339, Rm 0202, 2nd F, Bogyoke Aung San Rd.,
Sakura Tower, KTDA
Tel: (95-1) 255 287
Fax: (95-1) 255 290
Email: slkrgn@mptmail.net.mm
Thai Airways Int'l (TG)
339, Rm 1101, 11th F, Bogyoke Aung San Rd.
Sakura Tower, KTDA
Tel: 255 491- 9
Fax: 255 490

Offline Airline

Air France (AF)
69, Sule Pagoda Road, PBDN
Tel: 277 041, Fax: 274 199
Asiana Airlines (OZ)
Tel: 524 112, Fax: 531 137
EVA Air (BR)
47, 49, Bogalay Zay St., BTHG
Tel: 297 586, Fax: 296 272
Japan Air Lines (JAL)
Level(1), FMI Centre, 380 Bogyoke Aung San St., PBDN
Tel: 243 030 Ext (1104), Fax: 246 859
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)
Tel : 274466
Korean Air (KE)
Tel : 667410,661524, Fax: 662355
Royal Brunei Airlines (BI)
Tel: 245 630 Ext (1237), Fax: 246 330