TOUR

About Myanmar

THE LAND

MyanmarStatesMapMyanmar, officially Union Of Myanmar, also called Burma, Burmese Myanmar, or Pyidaungzu Myanmar Naingngandaw, is a country lying along the eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea in southeast Asia.

The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometres (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south, It is a land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated.

The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometres. The total length of Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometres (168.7 miles). The total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometres (1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometres (1,309.8 miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometres (831.8 miles); and Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometres (147.9 miles).

Myanmar is the largest country in the South – east Asia Peninsula and it is about the size of Texas and the size of United Kingdom and France combined. Over 50 percent of total land area is covered with forests.

 

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Myanmar has a long and complex history. Many peoples have lived in the region and the history began. The first identifiable civilization is that of the Mon. The Mon probably began migrating into the area in about 300 BC, and their first kingdom Suwarnabhumi, was founded around the port of Thaton in about 300 BC. The Pyu arrived in Myanmar in the 7th century and established city kingdoms at Binnaka, Mongamo, Sri Ksetra, and Halingyi. During this period, Myanmar was part of an overland trade route from China to India. By 849, the Burmans had founded a powerful kingdom centered on the city of Bagan and filled the void left by the Pyu. The kingdom grew in relative isolation until the reign of Anawrahta (1044 - 77) who successfully unified all of Myanmar by defeating the Mon city of Thaton in 1057.

After the collapse of Bagan authority, Myanmar was divided once again. The Burman's had reestablished themselves at the city of Ava by 1364, where Bagan culture was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defendable borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527.

Survivors of the destruction of Ava eventually established a new kingdom centered on Taungoo in 1531 led by Tabinshwehti (reigned 1531-50), who once again unified most of Myanmar. A popular Burmese leader named Alaungpaya drove the Bago forces out of northern Myanmar by 1753, and by 1759 he had once again conquered Bago and southern Myanmar while also regaining control of Manipur. He established his capital at Yangon.

In the 19th century , during the peak period of colonialism , Myanmar was annexed in three stages by the British after three Anglo – Myanmar Wars in 1825 ,1852 and 1885.During the Second World War , Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese for nearly three years until the allied Force reoccupation in 1945.Myanmar became a sovereign independent state on January 04 , 1948.

 

250690_450663411619765_251238276_n1THE PEOPLE

Myanmar is a union of 135 nationalities with their own dialects and traditions. The major races are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin , Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. The population of Myanmar is about 60 million.

 

 

 

92922-004-42A324A3CULTURE

Myanmar lies between two great civilizations , India and China , but it has developed its own distinctive culture. Buddhism has a great influence on daily lives of the Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties , respect for elders and simple native dress. While tolerance and contentment are the characteristics of people , Myanmar hospitality is legendary.

Festivals in Myanmar

Festival of Month Festival Name Location
January (Nadaw / Pyartho) Manaw Festival
Ananda Pagoda Festival
Naga New Year Festival
Myitkyina in Kachin State
Ananda Pagoda in Bagan
Khamti , Lahe ,Lashi in Sagaing Division
February (Pyartho / Dabodwei) Htamene Festival
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival
Salon Festival
Country Wide
Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay Division
Bocho Island in Thanintharyi Division
March (Dabodwei / Tabaung) Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Kakku Pagoda Festival
PindayaShweOo Min Pagoda Festival
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon Division
Kakku Pagoda in Taunggyi in Shan State
Pindaya Cave in Shan State
April (Tabaung / Tagu) Mann ShweSettaw Pagoda Festival
Water Festival (Myanmar Thingyan)
Thanakha Grinding Festiavl
Myanmar New Year Festival
Magway Division
Country Wide
Rakhine State
Country Wide
May (Tagu / Kason) Kasone Bo Tree Watering Festival Country Wide
June (Kason / Nayon) PariyattiSasanaTiptaka Examination Country Wide
July (Nayon/Waso) Full Moon Day Of Waso (DamaSaka Day)
Waso Robe Offering Examination
Country Wide
Country Wide
August (Waso/ Wakhaung TaungPyone Festival (Nat Pwe) Mattaya Township in Mandalay Devision
September(Wakhaung/Tawthalin) September(Wakhaung/Tawthalin)
September(Wakhaung/Tawthalin)
Inle Lake in Shan State
Manuha Pagoda In Bagan
October(Tawthalin/Tadingyut) Festival of Light (Thadingyut)
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
Kyaikhtiyo Festival (Mon State)
Countrywide
Kyaukse Township in Mandalay Devision
Kyaikhto Township in Mon State
November (Tadingyut/Tazaunmone) MathoThingan (Yellow Robe Weaving)
KahteinThingan Offering Festival
Hot Air Balloon Festival
Countrywide
Countrywide
Taunggyi in Shan State
December (Tazaunmone/Nadaw) Kayin New Year Festival
Christma Celebration
Kayin State
Among Christian community in Yangon and other cities in Myanmar

Visa Information

MYANMAR VISA

visa-application
A valid Passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General Offices abroad, A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days. A Business Visa allows a stay of 70 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. Overland entry is permitted for Thai tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Myawaddy, Tachileik, Kawthaung check points along Myanmar-Thai Border; and for Chinese tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Muse along Myanmar-China Border. Visa on Arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. You must enter Myanmar before the expiration of the visa (valid 90 days after issue). There are 2 kinds of Tourist Visa as:

E.V.T (FIT)
This Visa can be obtained at every Myanmar embassy or consulate by submitting passport and 3 photographs! Normally need to change US$ 200,- into F.E.C (Foreign Exchange Certificate) on arrival. But for time being nobody needs to change the US$ into FEC at the airport! Visa fees: equivalent: 20 US$ per person.

E.V.T(PACKAGE)
We need your passport particular after sales and we will send you our Package Tour Confirmation Letter You can apply Package Visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate with this letter and passport and 3 Photos. No need to change 200, - US$ into FEC on arrival. Visa fees: equivalent: 20 US$ per person.

VISA ON ARRIVAL
Visa on Arrival system makes the tourists convenient who have not enough time to apply normal EVT visa (Entry Visa for Tourists) at the certain Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Especially, for the tourists whose from the countries where Myanmar Embassy or Consulate do not exist. Our company would provide the visa upon your arrival.
After getting approval, we will send the recommendation letter through e-mail to use for airlines boarding pass and to show immigration upon your arrival. It will take minimum 14 working days for the application and you have to send the follow data to us:
We can assist this service only, if the tour is booked through us. We can get permission and then submit to Immigration Department. After Visa is approved, we will inform the International airline that they will allow your boarding without Visa in your passport and cc to you.
Visa on Arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and immigration department with the data to our company as mention below.

  • Passport Size Photo Via e-mail
  • Passport Scan
  • Occupation
  • Date of Birth
  • Place of Birth
  • Address in abroad
  • Flight detail
  • Purpose of entry into Myanmar
  • Visa on Arrival service USD - 45 per person including Visa fee and Service Charges.

You need to bring 3 passport photos from abroad to show at the visa counter at the Airport as there is no possibility to take photos at the airport!!!

Travel Tips

T_Travel_Tips_1

TAXDUTY
Expensive jewelry, cameras and electronic equipment in your possession must be declared at the arrival tax duty counter. When traveling in Myanmar, receipts of jewelry, sculptures and antiques bought from authorized dealers must be with you and when asked by authorities concerned you must be able to produce them. Antique artifacts are not allowed to be taken abroad.

CURRENCY
The local currency is called "Kyat". Current denominations in use are 50kyat, 100kyat, 200kyat, 500kyat, 1000kyat, 5000kyat& 10000kyat. Tourist are not allowed to bring Myanmar currency to abroad.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE CERTIFICATE(FEC)
FECs are also in use in Myanmar. One FEC is equal is one US dollar and can be used in place of dollar. One 5, 10 and 20 FECs are in circulation. It will be convenient for tourists to bring 100 US-dollar notes with President Benjamin Franklin's portrait.
If the dollars brought in are clean and new, they will be readily accepted. Euro and Pound Sterling currencies can also be exchanged.

CREDITCARD
It will be difficult to use credit cards and travelers' checks in Myanmar. Some big hotels, restaurants and gift shops may accept them, but they will charge high commission rates. Commission rates will be anything from between seven to 10 per cent.

DUTYFREEGOODS
An individual tourist is allowed to have two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or one hundred cigars and a half-liter of perfume. Duty Free shops are open at arrival and departure lounges at the Yangon International Airport and items can be bought at reasonable prices.

WORKING HOURS
Office hours for government departments are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm whilst for private companies, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays are holidays, but for some companies, Saturday is only a half-day holiday. All offices are closed on Sundays.

WEATHER
There are three seasons in Myanmar. Summer is from March to the end of May with temperatures between 30° C to 40°C. The Rainy Season is from June to September and Winter, from October to the end of February. Even in the Rainy Season, rain is scarce in Bagan and Mandalay regions in the dry zone.

CLOTHING
Light and enveloping clothes are suitable for the country's climate.
In the chilly regions of northern Myanmar such as Inlay, Kalaw, Pindaya, Kyaingtong, PyinOoLwin and Lashio, sweaters and jerkins are preferable. In visiting pagodas, shrines and religious places it would look respectable to the religion if you abstain from wearing short

Embassies in Myanmar

AUSTRALIA (Embassy of Australia)

88, Strand Road, Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel : (95-1) 251810, 251797, 251798
Fax : ( 95-1 ) 246159
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:30 ( Mon - Fri )
13:00 - 16:00

BRUNEI (Embassy of Brunei Darussalam)

51, Golden Valley, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 510422, 526985
Fax: (95-1) 512854
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 16:30

CHINA (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China)

PyidaungsuYeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 221280, 221281
Fax: (95-1) 227019
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:30 - 16:30

FRANCE (Embassy of France)

102, PyidaungsuYeiktha Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 212523, 212178,212520
Fax: (95-1) 212527
Office Hours: 08:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:30 - 18:00

INDIA (Embassy of the Republic of India)

545-547, Merchant St., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 243972, 240633
Fax: (95-1) 254086
Office Hours: 09:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 17:30

ISRAEL (Embassy of Israel)

15, KhaBoung St., Hlaing Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 515115
Fax: (95-1) 515116
Office Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 (Mon-Fri)

JAPAN (Embassy of Japan)

100, Natmauk Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 549644, 549645, 549646
Fax: (95-1) 549643
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 17:00 (Wed)

LAOS (Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic))

A1, Diplomatic Quarters, Taw Win Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222482
Fax: (95-1) 227446
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 16:00

NEPAL (Embassy of Royal Nepalese)

16, NatmaukYeiktha Lane,
Tamwe Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 545880, 557168
Fax: (95-1) 549803
Office Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 (Mon-Fri)

PHILIPPINES (Embassy of the Republic of Philippines)

50, Sayasan Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 558149, 558150, 558151
Fax: (95-1) 558154
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 (MON-FRI)
13:00 - 17:00

SINGAPORE (Embassy of the Republic of Singapore)

328, Dhammazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 559001
Fax: (95-1) 559002
Office Hours: 08:30 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

THAILAND (Embassy of the Royal Thai)

No. 73, Manawhari Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 224550, 224507
Fax: (95-1) 225929
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:000

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Embassy of the United States of America)

581, Merchant St., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 379880, 370965,
Fax: (95-1) 256018
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:300

YUGOSLAVIA (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

114/A, Inya Rd., Kamayut Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 532665, 532822
Fax: 532831
Office Hours: 08:00 15:00(Mon-Fri)

UNHCR

287, Pyay Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 524022, 524024-5
Fax: (95-1) 524031

WHO

Yangon International Hotel
330, Ahlone Rd., Dagan Tsp, 7th Floor, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 212606, 212607, 212608, 212609
Fax: (95-1) 212605

FAO

Seed Division Compound
Myanma Agriculture Service
Gyo-gone, Insein Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 641672, 641673
Fax: (95-1) 641561

BANGLADESH (Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh)

11B, Taw Win Road, Bahan Township, Yangon
Tel : (95-1) 515275, 526144
Fax: (95-1) 515273
Office Hours: 08:30 - 13:00 (Mon - Thu)
14:00 - 16:00, 08:30 - 12:30 (Fri),
14:00 - 16:00

CAMBODIA (Royal Embassy of Cambodia)

25(3B/4B), New University Avenue Rd.,
Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 549609, 540964
Fax: (95-1) 541462
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12-00 (Mon - Fri), 14:00 - 17:00

EGYPT (Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt)

81, PyidaungsuYeiktha Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 222886, 222887
Fax: (95-1) 222865
Office Hours: 09:00 - 15-00 (Mon-Fri)

GERMANY (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany)

9, BogyokeAung San Museum Street,
Bagan Township, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 548951, 548952, 548953, Fax: (95-1) 548899
Office Hours: 07:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Thu)
13:00 - 16:30, 07:30 - 12:30 (Tue)
13:00 - 14:30, 08:00 - 14:00 (Wed)
07:30 - 13:30 (Fri)

INDONESIA (Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia)

100, PyidaungsuYeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 254465, 254469
Fax: (95-1) 254468
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Thu)
13:30 - 16:00, 08:00 - 11:30 (Fri), 13:30 - 16:00

ITALY (Embassy of the Republic of Italy)

3, InyaMyaing Rd., Golden Valley, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 527100, 527101
Fax: (95-1) 514565
Office Hours: 08:30 - 16:30 (Mon-Fri)

KOREA (Embassy of the Republic of Korea)

97, University Avenue, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 527142-3
Fax: (95-1) 513286
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

MALAYSIA (Embassy of Malaysia)

82, PyiaungsuYeiktha Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 220248, 220249. 220251, 220230
Fax: (95-1) 221840
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:00

PAKISTAN (Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan)

A-4 Diplomatic quarters, Pyay Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222881, 222882
Fax: (95-1) 221147
Office Hours: 08:00 - 15:00 (Mon-Fri)

RUSSIAN (Embassy of the Russian Federation)

38, Sagawa Rd.,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 241955, 254161
Fax: (95-1) 241953
Office Hours: 09:00 - 15:00 (Mon-Fri)i)

SRI LANKA (Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)

34, Taw Win Road,
Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222812
Fax: (95-1) 221509
Office Hours: 08:00 - 15:45 (Mon-Fri)

UNITED KINGDOM (Embassy of Her Britannic Majesty)

80, Strand Rd., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 380322, 370863, 370864
FAX: (95-1) 370866
Office Hours: 08:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 16:30, 08:00 - 13:00 (Wed)

VIETNAM (Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam)

317/319, U Wisara Rd., Kamaryut Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 524656
Fax: (95-1) 524285
Office Hours: 08:00 - 11:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:00

UNDCP

#11-A, Malikha Road,
MayangonTsp, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 666903, 660556, 660390
Fax: (95-1) 651634

UNICEF

6TH & 7TH Floor,
Yangon International Hotel
Tel: (95-1) 212086, 212087, 212090, 212091
Fax: (95-1) 212063

UNDP/UNFPA

6, Natmauk Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 542910, 542919
UNIC - Tel: 292622, 262619
Fax: (95-1) 292739, 544531

International Rice Research Institute

Seed Division Compound
Myanma Agriculture Service
Gyo-gone, Insein Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 663590
Fax: (95-1) 642340