The Land
Geographically, Myanmar (Burma) is the largest country in South-east Asia
Peninsula sharing borders with India and Bangladesh in the north-west,
China and Laos in the north-east, Thailand in the east and south-east.
With a total land area of 676, 577 sq km, it is about the size of United
Kingdom and France combined. It has a 2832 km long coastline on the Indian
Ocean. Over 50 percent of the total land area is covered with forests.
Historical Background
Early civilization in Myanmar dated back to the 11th Century with
archeological evidence of the Pyu Kingdoms of Beikthano, Hanlin and
Thayekhittaya in central Myanmar. During the 10th Century, the Pyu were
dispersed by Yunanese invaders.
In the year 1044, King Anawrahta unified the country and founded the first
Myanmar Empire in Bagan which is more than 20 years before the Norman
Conquest of England. Bagan declined coincided with the rise to the power
of Kublai Khan and his Tartars in the north. They invaded Myanmar form
Yunan in China in the year 1287.The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in
mid 16th Century by king Bayintnaung with its capital in Bago. The Kingdom
went into decline in 1636.The Last and Third Myanmar Empire was founded by
King Alaungpaya in 1752.
In 19th Century, Myanmar became a British Colony after three Anglo-Myanmar
wars in 1824, 1852 and 1885. During the Second World War, Myanmar was
occupied by the Japanese from 1942 till the return of the Allied Forces in
1945. Myanmar gained her independence on 4th January 1948.
The People
Myanmar is a union of over hundred nationalities with their own dialects
and traditions. The major races are the Burma, the Kachin, the Kayah, the
Kayin, the Mon, the Chin, the Shan and the Rakhine. The name Myanmar
embraces all the nationalities. The population of Myanmar is over 52
million.
Religion
Over 89 % of the populations are Buddhists. There are also Christians,
Muslims, Hindus and some animists. There is full freedom of worship for
other religious.
Language
The official language is Myanmar. English is widely spoken and understood.
Culture The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties, respect
for elders and simple native dress. Tolerance and contentment are the
characteristics of the Myanmar people.
Climate Myanmar has a tropical climate with three general seasons: the hot
season (March to May), the rainy season (June to October) and the cold
season (November to February). Weather is generally temperate and cool in
the north and northeastern parts. During the rainy season, lower Myanmar
and coastal areas enjoy heavy rain showers but it is dry and pleasant in
central regions. Myanmar is a year round tourist destination.
Time, office & banking hours
Myanmar Standard Time is 06:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (one
hour difference with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand). Government
offices work five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Business offices usually open rather early and some work Saturday morning.
Banks open Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Electricity
The standard electrical current is 230 Volts, 50Hz AC.
Passport and Visa
A valid passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors. A tourist
Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days. A
Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a
case-by-case basis. With our confirmation letter you can apply for Package
Tour Visa at the respective Myanmar Embassy. At present e-visa for Myanmar
are available on internet.
Re: Visa on arrival
We can arrange visa on arrival. We need your passport number, dates of
birth, father's name, occupation, nationality and home address. Please fax
us your passport copy 1 week prior to your arrival. We can get permissions
from Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. Visa is approved, we will inform your
international flight to let you check in without visa. Please make sure
you have 3 photos on arrival. There is no photo shop at the airport.
Visa fees is US $ 20 per person and service fees is US $ 10 per person.
Currency
Myanmar currency is called Kyat and comes in notes of 1000, 500, 200, 100,
90, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Kyat. Another currency is the FEC, this particular
currency is on a par with the US Dollar. We strongly recommend to bring
along US$ in cash in small denominations. Many hotels and restaurants
require payment in US$ or FEC.
Customs Jewelleries, electrical goods and cameras must be declared at the
airport. Anitques and archaeologically valuable items are not allowed to
be taken out.
Duty free allowance: two bottles of liquor; two cartons of cigarettes; 100
cigars; 1.5lb of tobacco; one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne.
Airport Tax
Airport tax is US $ 10 per person on international departure.
Dress
When entering the precincts of religious monuments, all visitors are
requested to take off their foot-wears. Shorts and briefs are defined as
disrespectful dress to visit the pagodas and monasteries.
Comfort and Care Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are a must. Don't forget to bring
medication you would normally use in emergencies, such as antibiotics etc.
Most medicines are available but may be not the brand you normally use.
Never drink tap water -purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
Miscellaneous
Crime rate is very low, so you are safer than in most countries but
prudence is never wrong.
Flora and Fauna
Due to diverse topography, the flora ranges from sub alpine forests in the
north through thorn forests in the central region to tropical rain forests
in the south and mangroves in the delta area.
It has recorded a variety of 300 mammal species, 300 reptiles, 1000 bird
species, butterflies, insects, plants and trees.
Gazetted Holidays
Jan 4 2005 Independence Day
Jan 10 2005 Kayin New Year
Feb 12 2005 Union Day
Mar 2 2005 Peasants' Day
Mar 27 2005 Armed Forces Day
Apr 13-17 2005 Thingyan Festival (Water Festival)
May 1 2005 May Day
May 22 2005 Full moon day of Kason
Jul 19 2005 Martyrs' Day
Jul 20 2005 Full moon day of Waso
Oct 17 2005 Thadingyut Festival of Lights
Nov 15 2005 Thazaungdaing Festival of Lights
Nov 25 2005 National Day
Dec 25 2005 Christmas Day
Dec 30 2005 Kayin New Year
Festivals in Myanmar January
Htamane Festival
Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
Shwesettaw Pagoda Festival (Minbu, Magway)
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay)
Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Shan State)
Kachin Manao Festival (Myitkyina, Kachin State)
Naga New Year Festival (Chin State)
February Maw Tin Sun Pagoda Festival (Ayeyarwaddy Division) Indawgyi Pagoda
Festival (Kachin State)
Pindaya Cave Pagoda Festival (Shan State)
Chinese New Year
Salone Traditional Festival (Myeik Archipelago)
March
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon)
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Bago)
Shinpyu (Novitiation) Ceremonies
April
Thingyan (Water Festival)
Myanmar New Year Day
Popa Nat or Spirits' Festival (Mt. Popa)
May
Kason Fullmoon Day (Watering of the Sacred Bo Tree)
Taung-yo Torchlight Procession Festival (Pindaya)
June
Nayone Festival of Tipitaka
July Waso Fullmoon Day or Dhammasetkya Day
August
Taungpyone Nats or Spirits' Festival (Mandalay)
October
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inle, Shan State)
Thadingyut Festival of Lights
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival (Mandalay)
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
November
Tazaungdine Festival of Lights
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock) Festival
Hot Air Balloons & Fireworks Festival (Taunggyi)
Kahtein Thingan (Yellow Robe) Weaving Festival
December
9000 Lighting of Candles (Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda,Yangon)
Kayin New Year Day
Christmas Day
