Myanmar Flag
Why visit Myanmar?
For the experienced international traveler(s) seeking to enjoy ancient temples, architecture, colonial buildings, culture, mosques, museums, pagodas, religious sites, rocky shoreline, street markets, tea shops, and temples.
Photo Credit: Chan/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Artwork, embroidered tapestries, precious stones, and puppets.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Htamin Jin (rice dish). Khao Soi (noodle soup). Kyaw (fried pastry). Lahpet (pickled salad). Lethok Son (rice salad). Oh-no Khuak Swe (chicken dish). Mohinga (fish soup). Nan Gyi Thoke (soup). Samosa Thoke (fried pastry). Ohn No Khao Swè (curry soup). Shrimp Curry.
- Local Drink to Try: Dagon Lager Beer. Myanmar Beer. Palaung Pickled Tea. Shwe le Mawr (liqueur). Spirulina (beer). Toddy Juice (palm sugar).
Photo Credit: Martine Auvray/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- Until 2012, Child Soldiers played a major part in the Burmese Army.
- Also formerly called Burma.
- Cheroots are small cigars with a sweet smell.
- Native women apply a white rice-paste as a natural sunscreen.
- Deemed one of the world's largest producers of heroin. An estimated export of $1-$2USD billion annually.
- Rich in precious stones of jade, pearls, rubies, and sapphires.
- Lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator.
- Home to most of the world's remaining teak wood.
- Rohingya are denied Burmese citizenship status.
- Largest producer of nearly 90% of the world's red ruby. Ideal for their hue and purity.
- Shwedagon Paya (Yangon) is considered the most important religious structure.
- "Valley of Rubies" (Mogok) is known for blue sapphires and rubies.
- Rohingya are banned from owning land, not allowed to travel without official permission, and required to sign a commitment to have no more than two children.
- Due to the deplorable work conditions of stones collected, major retailers Bulgari, Cartier, and Tiffany refuse the import of their stones.
Bagan, Myanmar. Photo Credit: Judith Scharnowski/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Ananda Pagoda Festival, Kachin Manaw Festival, Manaw Festival, (February) Golden Hilltop Festival, Irrawaddy Literary Festival, (March) Myanmar National Chess Championship, (April) Water Festival, (May) Kason Festival, Shittaung Pagoda Festival, (June)Tipitaka Festival, (July) Waso Chinlone Festival, (August) Taungbyone Nat Festival, (September) Regatta Festival, (October) Elephant Dance Festival, Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, Thadingyut Light Festival, (November) Hot Air Balloon Festival, Taunggyi Balloon Festival, and Tazaungdaing Fullmoon Festival.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Union Day, Peasants' Day, Full Moon Day of Tabaung, Resistance Day, May Day, Full Moon Day of Kason, Martyrs' Day, National Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Eid ul-Adha, Deepavali, and Kayin New Year.
Photo Credit: Gero Birkenmaier/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Chin, Shan, and Kachin states are known conflict areas to avoid.
- During Monsoon Season (May - October) the floodplain stretches from the Andaman Sea to the Himalayan foothills.
- Vaccinations suggested: Cholera, Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, and Typhoid.
- Tourists are required to stay in a registered guesthouse or hotel.
- All of Chin state has poor and limited infrastructure.
- Healthcare and treatment is far below our standards.
- Prevalent Diseases: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Scrub Typhus, Tuberculosis, and Zika Virus.
- Outside Mandalay or Yangon offers limited dining options.
- Shan State is popular for floating temples, markets and marshy canals.
- Predominantly Buddhist religion.
- Parts of Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Rakhine, Shan, and Tanintharyi states have poor and limited infrastructure.
- Knees and shoulders must be covered entering holy sites.
- Rice noodles are a sample amongst meals.
- Direct flights are very limited.
- Foreigners are known targets of crime.
- Girls and women are forced prone to human trafficing, marriages, pregnancies, and prostitution.
- Bago, Hpa-An, Mon State, and Pindaya are amongst the most visited religious sites.
- Inle Lake (Shan Hills) offers motor-powered canoes.
- Local law prohibits dual nationality.
- Insulting local religion or beliefs is deemed offensive and prosecutable.
- No bus or train service connects with another country.
- Hukaung Valley (Myitkyina District of Kachin State) has a tiger reserve.
- Sandoway Beach (Burmese) is considered a "secret" amongst beaches of the world.
- Use of recreational drones is not advised.
- Ferry service is available down the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) from Mandalay to Bagan.
- Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety inspections do not commonly occur.
- Not possible for traveler(s) to access entry or exit via by river or sea.
- Inle Lake, Kengtung, Putao, and Pyin Oo Lwin are popular for nature trails.
- Majority of the population resides in the Irrawaddy Valley
- Inle Lake marshy canals are popular amongst birdwatchers.
- Never touch someone's head.
- Few border crossings which allow private passage of vehicles to cross.
- Never point your feet towards anyone.
- Cyclones and Tropical Storms peak between May - November.
- Wear rubber sandals easily slipped on or off visiting religious shrines.
- Feet pointed toward Buddhas is deemed disrespectful.
Photo Credit: Gero Birkenmaier/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA required.
- Yellow Fever vaccination required from select countries.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.
Pindaya Caves, Pindaya, Myanmar. Photo Credit: Martine Auvray/Pixabay
Prone to cyclones, earthquakes, monsoons, tropical storms, and tsunamis.
- Best Time to Visit: October - February
- Coolest Months: November - February
- Hottest Months: March - May
- Peak Season: December - February
Shwezigon Pagoda (AKA: Shwezigon Paya), Nyaung-U, Myanmar. Photo Credit: Yves Alarie/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Bagan, Beikthano, Hanlin, Pyu City, and Sri Ksetra Kingdom.
Photo Credit: Richard Mcall/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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