Myanmar Information

Abount Myanmar

With over a millennium of Buddhist civilization, Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrant cultural tradition. Great natural beauty combines with magnificent temple architecture and everywhere the visitor encounters a welcoming and hospitable people.

Until recently Myanmar was one of Asia’s most inaccessible countries and visitors were restricted to a brief circuit of sites. Burma, as the country was known until 1988, had closed its doors on the world and consequently escaped the excesses of commercialization and military conflict suffered by its neighbors. As a result, an enviable Buddhist way of life remains intact for us to explore and learn from.

Myanmar has now opened her door and welcomes us to come and see for ourselves. "MINGALABAR" is the traditional word of greeting and the welcome is a warm one - not just from official bodies but from the ordinary Myanmar people. Locals are keen, after so many years shut away, not just to prosper but also for interaction with the world at large.

This website is an expression of this optimism and enthusiasm. Local and foreign investors alike are anxious for you to come and see for yourself. Certain lobbyists believe that by not going to Myanmar conditions in the country will improve. There are many types of freedom - but history has shown that personal freedom is always a consequence of economic freedom.

Already the cities of Myanmar have been transformed since the introduction of a free market economy in the early 1990s. Whilst there is now a more efficient infrastructure and the standard of living has rapidly improved, there have been casualties - such as part of the magnificent architectural heritage dating from colonial days. We urge the Government of Myanmar to preserve this heritage not just for visitors but also for future generations of Myanmar people.

Myanmar as a tourist destination is just beginning to flower and it is a terrific opportunity to get it right and not make the mistakes of neighboring countries. In the establishment in this new industry we urge investors, local and foreign, to follow environmentally and ecologically sound principles. Tourism can be an instrument of both improvement and of destruction. It is also the responsibility of the caring tourist to respect Buddhist traditions - being modest in dress and mild in manner and supporting local products and services.

Myanmar has everything. You can trek in the Himalayas near Putao or sun yourself on a tropical beach at Ngapali. Three thousand spectacular temples gleam like jewels across the Bagan plain inspiring believer and non-believer alike. The land is watered by vast untamed rivers which rise and fall with the seasons in epic glory. Along the length of the Ayeyarwady, from great gorges in the north to the hundred mile wide delta in the south, stand former capitals bearing the vestiges of lavish artistic patronage. The colossal monuments of the first Buddhist capital near Pyi, the palace cities of Ava, Amarapura and Mandalay and the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda stand testimony to the creativity and piety of the Myanmar people.

Three quarters of this 1,300 mile long land is covered by mountains and jungle and there are no less than 135 ethnic groups. With the ending of insurgent conflicts, part of the peace dividend is the gradual opening of these areas to visitors and there is an enormous potential for ecological tourism.

At the end of the day, it is not memories of monuments or mountains that we carry home. It is the lingering warmth of our welcome and the glow of unstinting hospitality. The people of Myanmar want you and are waiting. Come and see for yourself - seeing is believing!

Geography

With an area of 676,557 square kilometer, Myanmar is sandwiched between India and Banglades on one side and China, Laos and Thailand on the other, while to the south is the Andaman Sea with beautiful unspoiled beaches.

Myanmar has several important river systems, including the Ayeyarwady River that runs the entire length of the country and enters the sea in a vast delta region south-west of the capital Yangon. This tropical south of Myanmar with its fertile river plains is one of the most important rice cultivation areas in the world. The central region of Myanmar holds the hill country. The climate is very good for growing cotton and all kinds of vegetables. A wide expanse of comparatively dry plain stretches north of Yangon, but hill ranges running north-south separate the central plain from the countries' neighbours. The Himalayas rise in the north, where the Hkakabo Razi, right on the border between Myanmar and Tibet, is the highest mountain in South-East Asia at 19,290 ft./5881m.

Passport and Visa

Visitors must have a valid passport and obtain a four-week Tourist Visa from a Myanmar embassy or diplomatic mission abroad. Two application forms and three passport-size photos will be needed. The visa fee is US$ 20 (subject to change).
No visa upon arrival is available.

Land Border Crossings: If you wish to enter Myanmar by land, please make sure that you have a valid visa from the embassy and check with the local operator for traveling conditions.

Directly from the Embassy of Myanmar in your country

Tourist Visa
Visa fee :	Subject to present visa fee at Embassy of Myanmar in your country
Processing Time :	Approximately 1 working day, excluding postal delivery time
Requirements :	1. Three visa application forms and one arrival form
	2. Three passport size photographs
	3. Valid passport
	4. Bank cheque for visa fee (cashier cheque or similar)
	5. Self-addressed, stamped envelope (registered mail)
	6. Entry form
	7. E.V.T. letter*

* E.V.T. letter is not necessary for the visa application but for the exemption from the mandatory exchange of US$ 200 into FEC 200 (Foreign Exchange Certificates) upon arrival. This amount cannot be changed back upon departure.

The E.V.T. letter can be obtained by tour operators through E-Biz Travel with an existing valid tour "roundtrip" booking and must be submitted to the Myanmar Embassy upon visa application.

For the E.V.T. letter the Passport details must be submitted to E-Biz Travel with existing valid tour booking. (1 day for issuing of the E.V.T. letter).

The visa will have a remark (E.V.T. Package Visa) indicating that the exchange is not applicable.

Visa Procedure :	The above documents should be sent to the embassy of Myanmar in your country (by registered mail). Once the visa is approved by the authorities, the passport is posted back to you in your self-addressed/stamped/registered envelope (the visa covers one full page in the passport).
Validity of Visa :	The visa is valid for 28 days of travel, within three months from date of issue and is single entry only.

Customs

Foreigner and non-resident can bring into Myanmar any foreign currency not in excess of US $ 2,000 , or its equivalent without making a declaration to the Customs on arrival.

All foreign currencies, jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the airport.

Exports of antique and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems, jewellery and silverware purchased at the authorized shops are allowed to be taken out.

Foreign Exchange

It is compulsor, for Foreign Independent Travellers (FITs) to exchange US $ 300. But for their convenience the Central Bank of Myanmar has issued Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) in Dollar Units. (for details, see Foreign Exchange Certificates)

Foreign currencies must be change only at authorized Money Changes at the Airport, Hotels, Banks and Myanmar Travels and Tours Offices. American Express, Master and Visa Credit Cards are accepted.

Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs)
1. Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) are issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar for the convenience of tourists visiting Myanmar.

2. Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) are isssued in three dominations:
(1) FEC equivalent to US Dollar Ten;
(2) FEC equivalent to US Dollar Five;
(3) FEC equivalent to US Dollar One;

3. The exchange rates of Foreign Exchange Certificates are as follows:
(1) US Dollar (one) Foreign Exchange Certificate (one) unit
(2) Pound Sterling is to be changed at the daily cross rate notified by the banks.
(3) The fractions of the Foreign Exchange Certificates calculated at the daily cross rate will not be exchanged.

4. Foreign Exchange Certificates can be exchanged at the Banks and also at the State owned hotels and Myanmar Travels & Tours Exchange Counters.

5. It is compulsory for Foreign Independent Traveller (FIT) holding Entry Visa Tourist (EVT) to change on arrival a minimun of US $ 300 or other equivalent acceptable currency with Foreign Exchange Certificates 300 units. This is the minimum amount to be sent by a tourist during his her stay in the country. Any unused Foreign Exchange Certificates out of this amount will not be reconverted. If a tourist has exchanged in excess of US $ 300, any unutilized balance of the Foreign Exchange Certificates wil be reconverted at the time of departure on presentation of the "Foreign Exchange Certificates Voucher" at the Exchange Counters.

6. Payments by Foreign Exchange Certificates shall be deemed to have been made in foreign exchange.

7. These Foreign Exchange Certificates are acceptable by any person in the Union of Myanmar.

8. Foreign Exchange Certificates can only be used within the Union of Myanmar

Dress

Light causal wear for all year round. A cardigan or light sweater for the cool season especially when vislting Upper Myanmar, like Mandalay or Bagan. An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season. Sandals or stippers are convenient as all foot wears must be taken off when entering the precincts of pagodas and monasteries. Visltors must not wear shorts or briefs when vislting pagodas and monasteries.

Myanmar Food

The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. Some Myanmar curries are spicy and there is always fish paste in many forms with salad. Soup mostly made of vegetables is taken together with rice and other dishes.

"Mohinga", rice noodles with fish gravy is favourite for breakfast and "Ohn-No Khaukswe" (noodles with coconut chicken curry) is the most popular among Myanmar foods.

Favourite desserts are sanwin-ma-kin (Myanmar sweet cakes made with semolina, sugar, egg, butter and coconut), Myanmar style banana cakes, Kyaukchaw (sea weed Jelly) and jaggery.

Other Foods

Chinese foods both Cantonese and Fukienese are popular among Myanmars and there are Chinese Restaurants in almost every town. Indian food like Kababs, birani are also popular with Myanmar palate. European food is available only at restaurant Hotels.

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