Useful Information
Accomodations: Over 16,004 hotel rooms are available
(according to 2003 Stat:). Banking / Money Exchange:
Compulsory exchange of a few hundreds dollars has
been withdrawn. Check the internet for current
exchange rates. Money exchangers are not found
everywhere. Business Hours: 9am-5pm. Government
offices: 9:30-4:30. Major Credit cards are not
widely accepted. Cash is always more convenient.
Currency: National currency is Kyat. Departure:
Export permit is required for some jewelries and
artifacts. Antiques and archaeologically valuable
items are not allowed for export. DOs & DON’Ts: •
Not always necessary to shake hands. • Don't hug or
kiss in public. • Don't touch any adult on the head.
• Don't step over any part of a person • Nodding
means YES, and shaking head means NO. • Myanmar food
are often complained as 'oily' • Trygood Myanmar
food in decent restaurants. • When buying
gems,sculptures, or any expensive souvenir, make
sure it comes with an export permit. • Don't leave
expensive items in your room. Use safe deposit box.
• Beware of cheats, swindlers, imposters. • Stay
away from narcotic drugs. • Carry some medicines for
diarrhea. • Health insurance is not available.
Accept that facilities may not be the best. • On
trains, keep windows shut. • Speed or distance
descriptions are in miles, not kilometers. • Don't
jay walk. Watch where you walk and what you step on.
• If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on
the right side. Drug Abuse: Trafficking drugs is a
capital offence. Electricity: 200 volts AC, 50Hz.
110 volts is also available in some hotels.
Festivals: January (Naga New Year), February (Htamanae),
April (Water Festival), May (Bo-tree watering), June
(Small buddhist festival), July (Waso full moon
festival), August (Taung Pyone Nat), September (
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda-Inle), October (Thitinkyut
Light festival), November (Taunggyi Lighting
Festival), December (Kachin Manaw Festival) Food:
Myanmar food is unlike Chinese or Indian food and
different from Thai food. Can try myanmar food at
Standard Myanmar Cuisine restaurant. Golf: About 2-4
of golf courses and ranges with full facilities.
Language: English is widely spoken and understood,
although Myanmar is the official language. Museums:
Popular museums are National museum, Drug
Elimination Museum, Myanmar Gems Museum, Defense
Services. Museum People & Religion: Being 85%
Buddhists, friendly Myanmars will welcome you with
smiles anywhere you go. Like in Italy or any other
ancient civilizations, expect that many nice tourist
attractions are related to religion. Public
Holidays: 4th Jan (Independence Day), 12th Feb
(Union Day), 2nd March (Peasant’s Day), 27th Mar
(Armed Forces Day), 13th-17th April (Water
Festival), 1st May (World Workers Day, 19th Jul (Matyrs’
Day), 6th Dec (National Day), 25th Dec (Christmas
Day)Buddhist Holidays: 26th Nov (Full Moon Day of
Tasaung Mone), 5th Mar (Full Moon Day of Tabaung)
Shopping: Bargaining is acceptable in most places.
Jewelries and handicrafts are most popular souvenirs
for visitors to Myanmar. Smoking: Prohibited in
public buses, theaters, cinemas, air-conditioned
resturants. Souvenirs to bargain while you are in
Myanmar is to buy precious gem stones, jewelries,
stone or wooden sculptures, lacquerware,
handicrafts, tapestries, at a quarter of the prices
you can see in the developed countries. Make sure
your souvenirs come along with an export permit.
Telephone calls: Making international phone calls
are available at hotels. Myanmar’s country code is
+95.Theaters National Theater is the biggest and
other well known is Padomar Theater. Translators:
Contact tour operators. Tour guides will be able to
assist you. Transportation: Buses and taxis are
available.For exclusive trip contact to car rental
services. Travellers' cheques: Not widely accepted
as it takes weeks to clear the travellers' cheques.
Travel season: Mostly visit From October to May
except rainy season. Vaccination: None required.
SARS examination is done at airport. Visa: Required
to any citizen. Online visa is applicable at
www.visa.gov.mm. Tourist visa are only for 28-day
stay, extendable up to 14 days. Weight & Measure:
Common local unit of weight is peiktha (viss), which
equals to 3.6 pounds. Most common unit of measure is
feet and inches. |
