Top Myanmar Travelling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Modify Its Name?
The country officially known as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't till 1989 that the ruling military junta  changed 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 former British colonial past, as well as Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were also changed, which is why you will certainly 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 as well as Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This write-up breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say as well as the concern: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are generally 3 periods in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summer season
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm however not stifling, and also draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the restricted holiday accommodation choices tricky to secure as well as will imply trying to book ahead or face paying for the much more expensive options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level increases in Myanmar as well as impending rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it very easy to book lodging however it is extremely warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 countries.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa site. You'll need to submit a passport photo as well as pay a fee of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and you should obtain authorization within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you arrive and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the date of issue and permits you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy might be less costly-- if you wish to save some cash, looking for a visa by means of your local Myanmar embassy might be less costly. For instance, the price is just ₤ 14 in the UK yet $40 in the USA, so do your research and do not fail to remember to factor in mailing expenses.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration internet site for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for travellers as the very first mode of access, with regular scheduled services from Bangkok. However, taking into consideration where Myanmar lies-- bordered by China to the North and northeast, Thailand and Laos to the east and India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are several for land access, although not every one of them are encouraged because of security.
No matter, you need to define a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will certainly be provided a listing of alternatives, from which you will need to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and 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 border of the Thai Peninsula and also the cluster 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 boundary village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
Actually, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to adhere to the one you originally mentioned preferably to prevent any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints given that your exit point does not require to be specified up-front. Additionally, you might exit at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entrance from here is not possible.
Flying in and also out of Yangon is more affordable as well as has a lot more connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation alternatives may be aggravating yet the long distance propositions are a lot more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow-moving and also flying is economical so it might be your better option.
You can still reserve flights the old-school method by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking people off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport and also grabbing your bag off a trolley by the airplane and also flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. As well as a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are affordable with competing businesses and 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, yet isn't so terrific for sleep. Also, you'll tend to arrive at strange times in the morning and also will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a lot of hrs waiting for a 'top-up' nap. Take into consideration if it will certainly be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same night to sleep straight away.
Buses are extremely cold, the high-end buses will offer you a covering yet, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every few hours for a food and toilet break-- a bit aggravating if you're trying to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, despite the fact that these are the buses which bring you to your location around 3 or 4am. What's even more, some still play their funky local music CD's and also tacky music videos till the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be turned off.
Never ever ask a driver about fate, crime levels are remarkably reduced.
Still, you need to take the typical preventative measures of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your belongings. Women travellers should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash 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.
Watch out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth as well as nose when cycling around. Additionally take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, numerous visitors use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperatures can make you sick.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients this way. However, as it's typically pre-cut, search for a vendor that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
Most government advisories advise against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of countless people. A few other parts of the country remain shut to foreigners because of conflict in between the government as well as different ethnic armies clustered 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 traveler locations.
Accurate info on problems and also closed locations can be difficult to come by. Check your government's advice prior to travelling, as well as ask about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good resource of news from visitors on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders and also legs regardless of the high temperatures, as well as you will make everybody a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as tees are the outfit of choice. These are highly encouraged as well as usually 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 men and women. Several vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warm and also tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for taking in the sights so pick up an affordable one a the marketplace if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are crucial! Getting in pagodas indicates going barefoot and flip flops are the best footwear option. Dealing with laces in the scorching heat is an undesirable distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after going to a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend far better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will find individuals in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but in other places it's much less common.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are remarkably genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travel can be irritating, hot as well as slow-moving yet bear in mind: you picked to visit Myanmar and that it's not the same as being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by residents that wish to chat. Vacationers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Typically the people are lovely and are happy to appear in photos and attempt and chat with minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a great deal which is typically best managed by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and if you're spending for a guide, make sure they have excellent 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, tiny parcels which contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| because it supplies a hit that amounts to six cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the byproduct is bright-red saliva which is spat out, many times onto the ground.
Great deals of citizens have the tell tale red stained teeth and taxi drivers usually roll down the window in slow traffic to spew after chewing on check here the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this fantastic 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 product in Myanmar and also works as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes and also restaurants as locals use the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the location of the kissing sound so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
The two most important expressions you require in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, yet it is well received. Be ready for the majority of citizens to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is generally done by hand as well as is charged per item rather than kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered and also unless you wish to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you truly require washing and wash your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are easy to find by but tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is extremely usual in developing nations where the plumbing system can't handle anything besides bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs ahead of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have numerous adaptors for European and North American 2-pin connects as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, much better still, buy a local SIM. You can get one at most flight terminals when you land or in among the shops in the road and also the shop personnel will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more about your network options below. Still, with 1 mbps taken into consideration to be a 'fast' link, do not expect to be downloading videos at any time. Online access has actually improved, with wi-fi becoming the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it for free-- as well as the web is currently spreading tofarther locations. However tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can make using the web a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and do not anticipate to Skype home extremely frequently, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be better with a backpack than a luggage. Travel suitcases aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering as well as out of myriad forms of transport and hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't far better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar