Myanmar is situated in southeast Asia and is bordered on the north and northeast by china . . . .

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Myanmar has a rich and thrilling culture. There are dozens of different languages and . . . .

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BEFORE YOU COME

National Flag | Economy | Getting to Myanmar | Visa & Passport | Customs | Health & Insurance | Currency | Denomination | Electricity | Tourist Information | Vaccination | Public Holidays | Myanmar Calendar | What to Wear | What to Bring

National Flag

The dominating color of the national flag is red. The rectangular space at the upper left corner is blue. In it could be seen the figure of a paddy stalk and a pinion encircled by 14 white stars of uniform size. The paddy represents the peasants while the pinion stands for the workers who form the majority of the people in the country, 14 uniform white stars symbolize the equal status and union spirit of the 7 States and 7 Divisions that constitute the Union of Myanmar.

The white in the flag signifies purity; the red indicates bravery and upright nature of the people; and the blue stands as a symbol of peace and stability in the country

Economy

Since late 1988, Myanmar has replaced the centrally planned economy to a more liberalized economic policy based on market-oriented system. In moving towards a more market oriented economy, Myanmar has more liberalized domestic and international trade, promoting the role of private sector and opening up to foreign investment. Foreign Investment Law, new Central Bank of Myanmar Law, Financial Institutions of Myanmar Law, and Myanmar Tourism Law have been enacted and Chambers of Commerce has been reactivated.
Myanmar is richly endowed with renewable and non-renewable energy resources which are being exploited by the State sector with the participation of local and foreign investors. Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy and measures have been taken to increase productivity, diversification of crop patterns and revitalization of agriculture exports.

Getting to Myanmar

Yangon International Airport (Mingalardon Airport) and Mandalay International Airport are the main International Airports in Myanmar.

 

By Air - Myanmar is served internationally by:	Yangon has direct air-links with:
Air China Air Mandalay Austrian Airlines (Lauda) Bangkok Airways Biman Bangladesh Airlines Druk Airlines Indian Airlines Malaysia Airlines Mandarin Airlines Myanmar Airways International Phuket Airlines Qatar Airways SilkAir Thai Airways International	Bangkok Singapore Vienna Taipei Delhi Hong Kong Calcutta Chiang Mai Dhaka Jakarta Kuala Lumpur Kunming Paro Bhutan Singapore Taipei Vietnam

Myanmar Airways International (MAI), Thai Airways International (TG), Silk Air, operate regular flights to Yangon. Air Mandalay operates Yangon - Chiang Mai - Yangon flights.

By Sea - Cruise Ships call at Yangon Port with Visa on Arrival being granted on prior arrangement.
By Overland - Overland entry with a Border Pass is permitted at the following Border Check Points: Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung on the Myanmar-Thai border and Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse, Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mong Lar on the Myanmar-Yunnan (China) border along.

Visa and Passport

Myanmar requires a visa for all foreigners visiting the country. It is valid for 28 days starting from the day you enter the country, three months from the date of issue. You can obtain a visa from Myanmar Embassies in the various countries. The international points of entry and exin Myanmar are Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport.
Show your passport with valid entry visa, disembarkation card on arrival to the Immigration officer at the International Airport (Yangon or Mandalay).
Foreign Independent Travelers (FITs) are required to exchange 200 US$ for Foreign Exchange Certificate (F.E.C) on arrival at the counter of Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB).

A valid passport with Entry visa is required for all tourists & businessmen, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General Offices abroad. For further details of the embassies click : Myanmar Embassies and Consulate abroad.

You can also visit   http://www.mofa.gov.mm/   the official web site of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Types of Visa

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.
Visa on Arrival is granted to both FTSs and Package Tourists on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.

For further visa information visit   http://myanmarvisa.com

Customs

Foreign currencies in excess of U.S $2,000, jewelry, camera, video camera and electronic goods should be declared at the customs' counter at the airport on arrival.

Health and Insurance

Health officials require certification of immunization against cholera, and against yellow fever if you have arrived within nine days after leaving or transiting an affected area. Proof of smallpox vaccination is no longer required. There are several hospitals and clinics in Yangon, some of which are under the Ministry of Health and some are privately owned. There is a wide range of variety in quality, expertise, expenses and services offered. The Pun Hlaing International Hospital is the first international hospital in Myanmar.

Currency

Myanmar currency is known as " Kyat " which comprises 100 pyas.

Denomination

Notes : Kyat 1000, Kyat 500, Kyat 200, Kyat 100, Kyat 90, Kyat 50, Kyat 45, Kyat 20, Kyat 15, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1.

Coins : Kyat 100, Kyat 50, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1, Pya 50, Pya 25, Pya 10, Pya 5, Pya 1.

Visitors can change their dollars into FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate which is equal to US Dollars), and then can change their FEC legally into Kyat at the real market rate at licensed money changer shops.

Travelers checks are NOT normally accepted and are difficult to transact. Travelers are advised to bring US Dollars in cash (small denomination notes). British Pounds, French Frances, German Deutsh Marks and other currencies are difficult to change. Bring US Dollars cash.

Electricity

When you plan to bring some electronic devices, make sure that these work with our Domestic power A.C 220 - 250V 50Hz. The Power Line is 440V.

Tourist Information

• Tourist information is available at the Arrival Hall of Yangon International Airport.

• Head Office in downtown Yangon at 77-91 Sule Pagoda Road (Tel: 95-1-252859)

• Bagan Office (Tel:95062-70217)

• Mandalay Office (Tel: 95-2-22540) at Mandalay Swan Hotel

• Taunggyi Office (Tel: 95-081-21611, 95-081-21302) at Taunggyi Hotel

Vaccination

Most traveler will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and polio, as well as medications for malaria prophylaxis and travelers’ diarrhea. Other immunizations may be necessary depending upon the circumstances of the trip and the medical history of the traveler. Insect repellents are recommended, in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites. All travelers should visit their personal physician 4-8 weeks before your trip. The sun can be remarkably hot and a hat and high-factor block cream is advisable.

Public Holidays (2006)
 

Myanmar Calendar

The Myanmar calendar subscribes to both the solar and lunar months, thus requiring an intercalary 30-day 13th month every second or third year. Therefore, the full moon days may change from one month to another in the usual calendar. The Myanmar months are :

 

Tagu	March/April
Kason	April/May
Nayon	May/June
Waso	June/July
Wagaung	July/August
Tawthalin	August/September
Thadingyut	September/October
Tazaungmone	October/November
Nadaw	November/December
Pyatho	December/January
Tabodwei	January/February
Tabaung	February/March

What to Wear

• Light, casual cotton wear because of hot weather

• A cardigan or light jerkin, when visiting northern Myanmar in the cold season

• An umbrella during the rainy season

• Sandals or slippers

• Quick drying clothes are recommended if you visit during the rainy season or Thingyan

• The dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe decent apparel, no footwear is allowed when visiting pagodas and monasteries.

What to Bring

• Insect repellent

• Sun block, sunglasses, hat, umbrella

• Personal medical kit

• Note : Most of the necessary goods are available at supermarkets and nearby stores.