Entrance fees in Yangon

 

Yangon (Rangoon) tolerates some of its british Burma colonial past and houses the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Sule Pagoda, Botataung Pagoda, Kandawgyi Lake and Inya Lake are also worth a visit in Yangon.

Hotels in Yangon

Restaurants in Yangon

Yangon airport flight status

Nightlife in Yangon

Place	Price
Shwedagon Pagoda	K8000 or US$ 9
Sule Pagoda	K3000 or US$ 3
Botataung Pagoda	K3000 or US$ 3
Kandawgyi Lake	K2000
KaraweiKPalace	K2000
National Museum	US$ 5
Ngahtatkyi Pagoda	US$ 2
Gems Museum	US$ 5
Zoological Garden	US$ 10
Peoples' Park	US$ 3
Defense Museum	US$ 3
Bogyoke Aung San Museum	US$ 3
Nga Htatgyi Pagoda	K2000 or US$ 2
Mahabandoola park	K500
ChauKHtat Gyi Pagoda	Donation
Maha Wizaya Pagoda	Donation
Swe Taw Myat Pagoda	Donation

Most popular temples in Yangon (Rangoon)

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Pagoda in Yangon.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda is located in the heart of Yangon.

Sule Pagoda

Botataung Pagoda

Botataung Pagoda allows visitors to walk inside the pagoda.

Botataung Pagoda

Best things to do in Yangon (Rangoon)

Examples of prices in Myanmar

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Getting there

• By Bus, can be easily caught from Yangon, Mawlamyine and Mount Kyaiktiyo.
  • Kyaiktiyo-Hpa: 4 hours - K5000
  • Yangon-Hpa-an: 4 hours - K5000
  • Mawlamyine-Hpa: 2 hours - K1000
• By Boat
  • The state run ferry between Hpa-an and Mawlamyine has stopped running ever since the new road bridge was constructed. However, it is possible to take a fast boat down the Thanlwin River enjoying the Karst mountainous scenery for about K8000 from Mawlamyine to Hpa-an (two hour journey). Boat tickets can be bought at local guests houses and hotels.

Getting around

• By Taxi
  • Simply hire a taxi from the center of town and travel around with flexibility for us $ 20-30 per day. One taxi can carry up to 6 people.
• By Motorbike

You can rent a motorbike form places like Soe Brother's Guesthouse and travel at your own personal speed with more flexibility - K10,000 per day.

Things to do:

• Try out Karen Cuisine
  • Enjoying a typical Karen style meal is a 'must do' at one of the tea houses, restaurants or at a local beer station found a plenty on Zaydan Road, in the center of the town. They also serve western food at these places.
• Visit the Market
  • Walk downhill passing Soe Brothers' guesthouse to get to this busy local market where you can find anything and everything from fresh produce, cooked food, housewares, mosquito repellent to cloths and fabric material. Just nearby these two indoor buildings, a fresh fruit market and a gold market can be found. Be careful of fake jewelery.
• Boat ride
  • Take a boat ride across the river Thanlwin (Salween) to reach the base of Mount Hpar Pu and kill two birds with one shot by enjoying the boat ride along the river (offers plenty of scenery including several small islands, sand banks, river bank farming sites, Stupas and Pagodas) and exploring Mount Hpar Pu at the same time. (You can arrange boat tours at Mawlamyaing or in northern Hpa-an.)
• Visit Thamanya Monastery
  • Located outside Hpa-An town, standing in honor of its former chief abbot, Thamanya Sayadaw U Vinay, Thamanya Monastery carries the sad burden of being the last resting place of this great monk. He was an abbot well known for his charity work, his counsel in Burmese education and the support he gave to the Burmese democracy hero, Aung San Suu Kyi. His monastery was alive with Buddhist doctrine and pilgrims when he was alive, even after his death, (his body which was interred in a glass tomb in the monastery was robbed in 2008 and it was later revealed that the robbers had burnt it. However the ashes were taken back to the monastery and are currently on display, understandably under lock and key), Monks try to keep up the good name of the place and it is surely worth a visit.
• Visit Mount Zwekabin
  • Nicely perched in the background of Kyauk Kulap Pagoda and the lake surrounding it, Mount Zwekabin, one of the most holy mountains of Myanmar, stands 723 m tall around 16 km away from Hpa-An. The first thing you will notice when you are at the base of Mount Zwekabin are the 1,080 or so Buddha images that have been laboriously hand carved into the rock. To get to the top of the mountain, you have to make a tiring 2 hour climb up a seemingly endless flight of steps (you can buy water and other snacks on the way). Yet, once you reach the top, the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding valley and the river, the beautiful Temple and the monastery, the exotic sound of chirping crickets and scuttling crabs, the feeding of the monkeys at 11 am in the compound, the refreshments of the clean canteen at the summit, will simply make your tiredness disappear.
• Kyauk Kalap Pagoda
  • 'water garden' or in other words Kyauk Kalap Pagoda is uniquely set atop a strange rock formation in the middle of a lake. In fact they say that the lake was created artificially around the pagoda. Women and men are equally allowed to visit, though the signs outside may give you a different idea. This is the best place to be, to get a breathtaking view of the lake and Mount Zwekapin.
• Visiting Caves
  • Kawgun Cave Temple The best and the most precisely detailed limestone cave temple out of all the caves found in Hpa-an, Kawgun Cave is situated at the far end of Kawgun village. History states that it was built under the authority of a Mon queen in the 7^th century. However most of the details that are on display today have been added by many artisans and artists who came after her period of authority. Despite its remote surroundings, the wall paintings of Buddhist images, carvings and statues are in good condition, giving you the chance to observe its intricate and minute details without difficulty. An observant eye will not miss the influence of Hindu culture seen in some iconography and statues, that symbolizes Burma's ethnically diverse society even in the past.
  • Go Gon Cave This Cave stands a bit away from Hpa-An town, across Than Lwin river more towards Yangon. Its specialty is the multitudinous Buddha images decorating the interior of the cave and the rocks adorned with Buddha images at the entrance.
  • Bayin Nyi Cave Located closer to Thaton than to Hpa-an, easily visited on your way to Yangon, this cave atop a hill, has a huge entrance hall filled to the brim with Buddha and other miscellaneous statues and inside the main cave sits a relatively new pagoda that adds a bit of modern ambiance. The path leading to the cave is slightly raised due to seasonal rains and the danger of water collection as pools (you get a chance to enjoy hot springs in the latter half of the rainy season). The cave does not get natural lighting even though it is said that some internal caves are lit by holes in the roof of the rock. The monastery at the foot of the rock and the shy yet chattering monkeys in the vicinity provide an added religious and natural charm to this authentic cavern.
  • Saddar Cave This cave, much closer to Hpa-an, is noted as a huge cave filled with pagodas and statues of Buddha. One interesting option is to walk through the cave to the other side of the mountain and take a ferry ride back on a small wooden boat that carries two people for K 1500. Don't get put off by the rubbish strewn around.
• Karen New Year Festival
  • If you happen to visit Hpa-An in December, you will get a chance to observe the Karen New Year celebrations featuring kick boxing competitions, dancing and many more joyous happenings.

Entrance and Zone Fees in Myanmar are constantly changing, here are updated prices.

If you see an increase in the Entrance and Zone Fees in Myanmar, please Contact Us

Myanmar Massage styles

You will notice that each state and city in Myanmar has its own massage techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. For example, a massage in Kengtung is based on Chinese techniques, concentrating on energy sources and lines; a massage in Chin State is based on Indian techniques by highlighting stretching and yoga movements in order to relive tension; a massage in Inle Lake given by Intha tribesmen focuses more on feet, legs and arms and less on the back and the shoulders.

Techniques used in Burmese Massage

• Spiral Rub, Burmese masseurs base their techniques on the anatomical drawings of their ancestors that clearly illustrate body muscles shaped like circular spirals. This base has led them to acquire what we know as “the Burmese rub”- an orbicular palming method up and down the body.
• The use of the fingers, elbows and feet, Burmese Masseurs commonly use their fingers, elbows and feet to pressurize the energy points and the reflex points of the body which is a bit similar to a shiatsu massage. This is done in order to stimulate the energy forces and to regulate blood flow while dissolving toxins built up inside the body.
• Thanaka treatment (a paste made of ground bark of thanaka tree). Though a typical Burmese massage doesn't involve creams and liquid, they occasionally use products made of 'Thanaka' as a facial treatment as well as a massage accompaniment. Thanaka looks like any typical cream of light yellow with a sweet smell similar to sandalwood. It acts as a sun screen and a soothing body cream containing anti-aging, anti-oxidant and anti-fungal properties. It is an excellent organic substitute for expensive branded facial creams.

The other side of the story of massages in Myanmar

The fishy and off putting side to the growing demand for Myanmar massages is the fast growing massage centers and spas offering customers, a so called “massage with a happy ending”.

Birma.com doesn’t advertize illegal or unprofessional massage services.

Give your spirits a boost by a day's trekking in the peaceful countryside filled with rice fields and call it a day by raising up the hills to visit an Akha tribe in its purest forms.

Things to do:

• Trekking
  • Home to a myriad of ethnic tribes of the likes of Akha, Palaung,Khun, Wa, Shan and Lahu villages, Shan hills encircling Kentung gifts you some of the best trekking opportunities.
• Visit monasteries and Temples
  • Due to the influences of its nearby neighboring nations, the monasteries and temples of Kentung are different in style and built to any any other temples seen in Myanmar echoing a mix of Shan, Thai, Burmese and Chinese touches.
• Experience the local culture of Kengtung
  • Inhabited by locals who are proud of their inheritance of Temples and Monastries yet not proud enough to pass without welcoming visitors to share a cup of local tea over a friendly chit chat. Due to its isolated geography, you will witness well-preserbed, virgin customs and culture of the local tribes. To catch a glimpse of a gathering of tribes men and women selling their home grown goods, remember not to miss a stoll to the town's central market in the early morning.
• Visit Naung Tung Lake
  • A perfect spot to take in the ambaince of this laid back town, while sipping a cup of tea at one of the many tea shops set around buildings relating to colonial architecture.

Crossing into Thailand

To cross over to Thailand you can take a four hour ride over bumpy roads form Kentung to Mae Sai in Thailand via Tachilek. From there you can go to Laos on a boat ride down Mekong River to Luang Prabang in Laos.

Places nearby:

• Nawngkeng
• Wan Hwe-hpun
• Hwe-hpun

International Airlines to/from Yangon Airport

Airline Names	Destinations
Air Asia (AK, FD)	Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok (Don Mueang)
Air China (CA)	Beijing, Kunming
Air India (AI)	Delhi, Kolkata, Gaya
All Nippon Airways (NH)	Tokyo (Narita)
Asiana Airlines (OZ)	Seoul (Incheon)
Bangkok Airways (PG)	Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)
China Airlines (CI)	Taipei (Taoyuan)
China Eastern Airlines (MU)	Kunming
China Southern Airlines (CZ)	Guangzhou
Dragonair (KA)	Hong Kong
Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)	Singapore, Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Chiang Mai
Jetstar Asia Airways (3K)	Singapore
Korean Air (KE)	Seoul (Incheon)
Malaysia Airlines (MH)	Kuala Lumpur
Myanmar Airways International (8M)	Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Gaya
Nok Air (DD)	Bangkok (Don Mueang)
Qatar Airways (QR)	Doha
Silk Air (MI)	Singapore
Singapore Airlines (SQ)	Singapore
Thai Airways International (TG)	Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)
Tiger Airways (TR)	Singapore
Vietnam Airlines (VN)	Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

International Airlines to/from Mandalay Airport

Airline Names	Destinations
Air Asia (FD)	Bangkok (Don Mueang)
Bangkok Airways (PG)	Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)
China Eastern Airlines (MU)	Kunming
Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)	Singapore
Silk Air (MI)	Singapore

Yangon Airport Flight Status Mandalay Airport Flight Status Domestic Flights in Myanmar

Be smart and compare flight options to Myanmar

It is good to compare prices and different combinations of destinations, it is sometimes cheaper to buy 2 return tickets (for example: your place/Bangkok and Bangkok/Yangon) than buying a return ticket to Yangon from your country of residence.

Foreign currency in excess of US$10,000 must be declared upon arrival.

Hotels in Myanmar - Top Cities

Hotels in Yangon Hotels in Bagan Hotels in Inle Lake Hotels in Mandalay Hotels in Ngapali Beach Hotels in Hpa An Hotels near Golden Rock Hotels in Ngwe Saung Beach Hotels in Pyin Oo Lwin Hotels in Kalaw

 

Thingyan Water Festival is the biggest and the most celebrated festival in Myanmar (Burma). The Water Festival celebrates the dawn of the Myanmar New Year.

When is the Thingyan water festival in Myanmar (Burma)?

This fun filled water event marks the end of the hot season and usually falls in mid- April (13th-16th) and goes on for about three-four days. Originally the dates of the festival were calculated based on the Burmese lunisolar calendar but nowadays it is based on the standard Georgian calendar.

The significance of the Thingyan festival in Myanmar

The water festivities of Thingyan mark the transition of the sun from the Pisces constellation to the Aries constellation. Interestingly this festival coincides with New Year festivals of neighboring countries - Songkran festival in Thailand, Lao and Cambodian New Year.

What happens on the Thingyan water festival?

Day one of the water festival – called ‘a-kyo nei’ in Burmese language

The first day of the water festival is dedicated to religious activities and marks the eve of the New Year. Burmese will observe 8 precepts instead of the usual 5 precepts on this day and offer alms to the monks in temples and monasteries. Myanmar people also pour scented water from head down over the Buddha images and offer food and drinks. By night fall the real celebrations starts. Young men and women dress up for the occasion by wearing ‘thanaka’( locally made powdery paste) on their faces and flowers in their hair. Everyone takes to the streets with songs, dance and merrymaking.

Day two of the water festival- called ‘a-kya nei’ in Burmese language

The fun and frolic of the water festival starts on this day which is marked by firing a cannon. Burmese people believe that on this day god Thagyamin (the king of Nat spirits) leaves heaven and comes down to earth. Traditionally people used to gently sprinkle water on one another using a bowl and sprigs and the water was meant to wash away our sins of the previous year. However nowadays people use whatever they can (water guns, buckets, water balloons, fire hoses, bamboo syringes) find to throw water and have fun. On this day the roads get crowded with people dancing, singing and having water fights and almost anyone in the street is a target for water. (So, if you want to get somewhere on this day, just forget about it, get armored with a water gun and join in the games)

Day three which is called ‘a-kyat nei’ in Burmese language

The water festivities continue till the late hours of the night.

Day four which is called ‘a-tet nei’ in Burmese language

Burmese people believe that god Thagyamin returns to heaven on this day and it marks the end of the water festival.

Day Five - The Myanmar New Year’s Day

The day following the end of the water festival is celebrated as the Myanmar New Year’s Day. Myanmar people celebrate this day by visiting their elderly relatives and offering water and shampoo made of beans and bark in a terracotta bowl. On this day you can also see a hair washing ceremony where young people wash the hair of the elderly. Burmese also carry out merit making activities like releasing fish into large rivers and donating cooked food throughout the day to people who have come to enjoy the festivities. Apart from all these general celebrations, there are vibrant and colorful ethnic celebrations unique to each and every ethnic group in Myanmar.

If you happen to be one of the lucky travelers visiting Myanmar during this festive season get ready to have some awesome water fights, dancing and merry making in the streets of Myanmar.

This historic port, which has been busy for the last 500 years or so due to its strategic placement, situated on a peninsula protruding out to the Andaman Sea, with its modern buildings, sadly lacking in style and character is worth experiencing for the sake of pure beaches and sea adventures. To find out more about diving and exploring Mergui sea, please go to www.burma-diving-safaris.com

Places to see:

• Kawthaung
• This town, inhabited by an equal mix of Burmese, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Malay people is situated at the southern tip of Myanmar and was initially built by English invaders who called it “Victoria Point”. The speciality of this place is its close proximity to Thailand which is connected to Myanmar through river Pechang, which runs between the two borders. Thus making this place an entry point to Myanmar from Thailand. You can come directly here from Rangong in Thailand (Rangong in Thailand is just a 15 minute flight away from Bangkok or a 4 hour car drive away from Phuket or Ko Samui) on small boats or even on sailing boats which will only take about 30 minutes. A 28 day entry visa can be easily taken at Kawthaung.
• Myauk Ni Island alias Red Monkey Island
• Known as Red Monkey Island due to its reddish and hairy tree dwelling inhabitants, this small island lies just 20 miles away from Kathaung. Wathcing and swimming along wild dolphins, visiting the indigenous Moken people, commonly called sea gypsies, enjoying the sandy beaches and the corals and going on a bird watching nature trail in the nearby forests are some of the things that you can do here.
• 115 Island
  • Home to indigenous snakes and water dwelling lizards with its very own bird's nest cave, this small islands nearly 39 miles from Kawthaung is a perfect spot for kayaking and snorkeling.
• Lampi Island
  • Lampi with its far and wide sandy beaches has become one of the most talked about islands in the Mergui Archipelago and is twenty miles long from North to South and 10 miles wide form East to West. Due to its natural beauty and diversity, it is preserved as a “National Park” of the country. With an impenetrable thick rainforest in the middle and two tidal rivers accessible by a canoe or a small boat at high tide on the west coast of the island, this truly is paradise. Some of the most ancient Mangrove habitats, vibrant birds (Kingfisher, Pacific Reef Egret, Hornbill, white breasted Sea Eagle and Heron), endemic flora (trees reaching up to a height of 25 to 30 meters tall) add up to its value. Two passages lead up to the annexe island Salet Galet at the north western corner of the island and Mayon Galet at the southern part of the island (once home to sea gypsies alias Morken people who took shelter here from south western monsoon rains)
• Pulau Beda alias Nyaung Wee
  • Surrounded with a scattering of smaller islands around it, situated about 10 miles away from Lampi, this island is inhabited by sea gypsies alias Morken people. It is known for bird and wild life watching trips on the banks of the beautiful river that flows through the island.
• The Sisters
  • This group of islands 20 miles to the north of Lampi, is commonly referred to as “Langan” by the Morken people (sea gypsies) which means "fingers” in Morken language. Pure blue waters, the niche location and unique coral reeves are the main attractions of the island.
• Wa Ale Island
  • This tiny annexe of the Lampi islands is the most favored of all places for snorkeling due to its wide spread blue waters and coral reeves and it lies around 65 miles north west of Kwathaung. It's also well known for clean and clear sandy beaches and wildlife observation.(animals, birds, fish and other sea creatures)
• Salet Galet
  • Cozily placed between Lampi and Wa Ale island, this peaceful island is home to a small sea gypsy village and birds of the likes of sea eagles.
• Khat Yin Khwaalias Macloed
  • Housing the exquisite Burmese style “Myanmar Andaman Island Resort”, this island is famous for being a good fishing spot. You should definitely try out fresh catches of the day like big squid, giant lobster and crab. Like many other islands nearby this island too owns a rich growth of flora, fauna and coral reeves.
• Yea Aye Bird Nest and Limestone caves
  • This consists of a group of three islands made solely of limestone, situated close to the Domel islands. A huge cave made of limestone in the main island is famous for the edible-nests of “ Swiftest”, a bird which belongs to the sea swallow family. The cave can be easily explored by kayak.
• Kyun Pi Lar alias Gt.Swinton
  • Armored with a petite waterfall on the eastern side of the beach, and a silvery sand beach all around, Gt.Swinton lies just 15 miles north west of Lampi. A perfect spot for beach partying.
• Nag Mann Island
  • A favorite with the party loving tourists due to its pure white beach, the crystal clear ocean around and the greenish coral reeves providing space and ambiance for barbeques and parties.
• Horse Shoe alias Myin Khwar Island
  • This beautiful island Lying 22 miles to the south west of Kawthaung is famous for the biggest birds' cave and the stone rock which can be climbed by tourists.
• Say Tan Island alias Dunkin Island
  • Boasting of a pure white beach, which is often invaded by a group of chattering monkeys looking for food, this tiny island offers snorkeling and a good spot for overnight anchorage.
• Kyet Mauk Island alias Cocks and Combe Island
  • This island is well known for the large lagoon the size of a foot ball field in the middle which can only be accessed by snorkeling or Kayaking through the opening in the eastern pat of the island. An abundance of colorful shoals of fish and corals can be spotted there.
• Border Island alias Nga Khin Nyo Gyee
  • Hidden in a tiny sheltered bay ,this cozy circular island with sunny beaches and huge stony rocks offers plenty of snorkeling opportunities. It is a perfect spot to camp out night while enjoying a cool dip in the sea.

Facts:

• The name Mergui, which was used during the colonial times, has been changed to Myeik, which is pronounced as Beik.
• Traveling overland to the city of Mergui is not currently possible.
• Ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, jungle trekking in the tropical rain forest, sport fishing,watching birds and wild life (elephants, tigers, sea creatures ,deer, wild boar, and many others.
• Around 800 or so small islands can be found here ,out of which most are uninhabited and trips around these islands including the archipelago is expensive and requires careful planning.

 

Burmese women wear "Thanaka" on their face as a make up and suncream

Clothing of Burmese people

The existence of different stages of development and exposure to the outside world is best reflected in the vibrant Burmese clothing. Though the 'longyi' and 'Hta Mein' (round and long sarong like cloth reaching down to the ankles, made out of a fabric of beautiful design and color) are popular among both sexes in the country, Burmese people in western clothes is not a rare sight. You can also see a slight variation in clothing when traveling from one area to another within the country.

• Attire of Men
  • Their attire consists of a collarless shirt, a traditional over-coat and a masculine longyi (Pa Soe- a traditional lower garment). When wrapping the longyi, men tie a knot at right center front of the lower body.
• Attire of Women
  • Women wear a garment consisting of a blouse covering the shoulders and a feminine longyi (Hta-mein) which originates from the body wrapper worn by women during the Kobaung Dynasty (1752-1855). Unlike men, women wear the longyi or the hta-mein as a wrap-around skirt or folded and placed on left or right side of the waist.
  • Thanakha, Another uniquely Burmese habit is for the women and the children to wear a powdery facial paste made of ground bark called “thanakha”. Due to its cooling properties, this is considered as a substitute for sun tan and insect repellent.

Religions in Myanmar

With a minority of Christian, Hindu and Islamic followers which has led to ethnic clashes from time to time, and a majority of Theravada Buddhists, the country boasts of religious diversity. Buddhism has a central role to play in the life of an average Burmese, where many young boys willingly take up the robe for short periods of time to get a taste of a monastic life. Their pure devotion can be seen by the tens of thousands of stupas and pagodas that are scattered in and around the country.

• Buddhists - 89%
• Muslims - 4%
• Christians - 4%
• Hindus - 2%
• Animists - 1%

Ethnic groups in Myanmar

Myanmar boasts of 135 ethnic groups and sub groups, out of which Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan make up the main groups.

Ngapali (commonly pronounced as Napali) named after the Italian city of Naples, Myanmar's number one beach destination,featuring a pastoral 3 kilometer expanse of palm tree topped sandy beach, dotted with exotic resorts huddled among busy fishing villages, offers you numerous choices to sooth your body and soul.

Things to do:

• Cycling and Hiking
  • Cycle or just stroll along the sandy beaches to take in the life of fishermen living in their authentic thatched houses in the village of Jatetaw or skip along to the neighboring town of Thandew (Sandoway), to visit the local market and enjoy a round of haggling for fun. Remember not to miss out on visiting the local hill top Pagodas scattered in and around the fishing villages.
• Just sit back and relax
  • Bath in the Burmese sun's rays and enjoy the unspoilt wonder of rustling palm trees and breaking waves on a Bay of Bengal day away from the rush of making a living and metropolitan fumes.
• Kayaking
  • Enjoy the breath taking surroundings and the endless stretch of turquoise blue sea on a smooth kayak ride.
• Snorkeling
  • Introduce yourself to the marine life dwelling in and around the salty waters.
• Scuba Diving
  • Dive in deeper to take an in depth look at the life under water, the many an varied sea creatures swimming alongside you, and just let your body and soul float alongside these majestic creatures. To find more about water sports in Ngapali, Please go to www.ngapaliwatersport.com
• Enjoy a local dish of sea food cuisine
  • One of the highlights of Ngapali is digging in to its fresh, off the catch sea food dishes offering a wide variety of dishes from simple squid to snappers, that would tantalize your taste buds with new found authenticity. Make your meal tastier by eating it at one of the old wooden restaurants on stilts which will surely add the finishing touch of perfection to your meal.
• Boat Ridding and Sport Fishing
  • Cruise along the Thandwe river inland or the blue sea itself to get a sneak peak at the local methods of hauling fish in , techniques of fishing and the methods of drying fish while trying your luck at catching a fish or two all by yourself.
• Try your hand at Golf
  • Bizarre as it is this out of the way paradise does come with its own state of the art nine- hole golf course which is an ideal place to try your hand at golf.

Ngapali can be reached only by air and finding budget and mid range accommodation might not be easy in this somewhat up scale area.

To some of us out there who rarely see anything other than processed food, Myanmar would appear as a paradise for fresh food and abundant fruits. All dishes and drinks are concocted using the freshest hand-picked vegetables, fruits and seeds which add that extra touch of sparkle to any dish we bite in to.

Regional Dishes

• Southern region
  • White rice is usually accompanied by a generous collection of curries or soups made with fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish products.
• Mawlamyine, Ngapali and Ngwe-Saung
  • Delicious shell fish and a wide variety of sea food dishes are served with the fresh catch of the day at many sea side restaurants of these busy coastal villages. Suffice it to say that these delicacies would suite any type of budget and will definitely treat your taste buds to a new found aromatic tingle.
• Inle Lake
  • These river side villages boast of a local delicacy called Htamin Jin; a combination of rice, tomato, potato, boiled fish gently marinated in a source made with local herbs and spices.
• Northern and inland region
  • They enjoy a generous diet of chicken, fish and mutton as their staple dishes though it is not unlikely to come across dishes made with other meat products.
• Shan Capital, Taunggyi
  • Shan noodles (rice noodles) served in steamy chicken curry or soup is a preferred delicacy among these villages for which it is famed in and around the region.
  • Mohinga (rice noodles) served in mouthwatering fish soup is a typical breakfast (but can be found at any meal time) of this part of the country
• Myitkyina and other northern towns
  • Kachin Fish steamed in local herbs and spices is another specialty in this cold region.

Inspired dishes

• Indian Inspired
  • Danbaum, Burmese style biryani with either chicken or mutton served with mango pickle, fresh mint and green chili
  • Fried chapati, crispy and blistered, with boiled peas
  • Halawa, a snack made of sticky rice, butter, coconut milk
  • Hpaluda, similar to the Indian dessert falooda this is made out of a mixture of rose water, milk, jello, coconut jelly, coconut shavings, sometimes served with custard and ice cream
  • Nan bya, Burmese style naan buttered or with mutton soup
  • Palata, Burmese style paratha with egg or mutton
  • Samusa, Burmese-style samosa with mutton and onions served with fresh mint, green chilli, onions and lime./li>
• Chinese inspired
  • A sein kyaw made out of cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, green beans, baby corn, cornflour or tapioca starch, tomatoes, squid sauce
  • Hpet htohk made with meat, pastry paper, ginger, garlic, pepper powder, salt. Usually served with soup or with noodles.
  • Htamin jaw fried rice with boiled peas
  • Kawyei khao swè, noodles and curried duck soup with eggs.
  • Mi swan, soft rice noodles, it is usually served in chicken broth.
  • Panthay khao swè, halal noodles with chicken and spices, often served by the Muslim Panthay Chinese.
• Shan Inspired
  • Meeshay-rice noodles with pork and/or chicken, bean sprouts, rice flour gel, rice flour fritters, dressed with soy sauce, salted soybean, rice vinegar, fried peanut oil, chilli oil, and garnished with crisp fried onions, crushed garlic, coriander, and pickled daikon/mustard greens
  • Shan tohu, a type of tofu made from chick pea flour or yellow split pea eaten as fritters or in a salad.
• Mon Inspired
  • Durian jam – A type of jam made out of a local fruit
  • Nga baung thohk – Mixed vegetables and prawn, wrapped in morinda leaves with banana leaves outside.
  • Sa-nwin makin – dessert cake made from a mixture of semolina, sugar, butter, coconut

Facts

• Traditionally Burmese eat at a low table in the street or sitting on a mat made of bamboo.
• Burmese people eat with their right hand, Chopsticks and Chinese-style spoons are used for noodle dishes but forks and knives will be available for you wherever you go.
• Burma is a paradise for vegetarians with its plentiful fresh fruit and vegetable supply.
• Don’t expect English menus at small tea houses and way side stalls. Things will be of course easier once you learn some Burmese names of local dishes; if not, simply point at what you want.
• Since the amount of oil and salt added to some curries might not be up to our western taste, you can always request to add less salt and oil.
• Though adding a different tinge to your taste buds Burmese food preparation might not be of the same standard as it is in the West. It is wise to carry your medical kit with you, Dioralyte for rehydration and Loperamide for diarrhea.
• Restaurants and bars close up during the early hours of the night (9 p.m.) except in the main cities.
• Western food will be more expensive than other dishes and can be found in many main cities. But understandably the taste and the quality will be different from real Western food except at star hotels and restaurants.

Where to eat

• Way side treats at food stalls
  • An easy way to enjoy cheap local dishes ranging from rice noodles to banana pancakes is to stop over at one of the petite way side stalls located in and around every city and village. You get a variety of Western, Indian, Thai, Chinese and local dishes depending on your location.
• Tea houses
  • These traditional tea shop restaurants are a meeting place for the young, old and the able to discuss life, business or just to relax among one’s friends. These will not only offer you Myanmar Green tea (sweet, milky and plain) or instant coffee (not very tasty) with a small snack (samosa, a bite of noodles or rice simmered in fish or meat), but also the chance to meet up a few locals and just sit back and relax watching street life unfold in front of you.

Burmese climate can be best described as tropical, with strong monsoon influences, a considerable amount of sun, a high rate of rainfall during the rainy season, and high humidity.

Myanmar has three distinct seasons:

• Hot Season from March to May, average monthly temperature between 30°C and 35°C
• Rainy Season from June to October, average temperature between 25°C and 30°C
• Cool Season from November to February, average monthly temperature between 20°C and 24°C

When to travel to Myanmar

• You can travel to Myanmar all year round as its climate is not troubled by a harsh winter like in many of our countries.
• However the best time to travel is during the cool season (November to February) since you are less likely to be troubled by the scorching heat or the monsoonal rain, two reasons for this being the peak tourist season.
• For those of you out there who hate the hustle and bustle of the peak season it is better and even cheaper to book accommodation during the off peak period (March to October ),but be ready to be surprised by sudden heat and/or rain.

Clothing

• Since Myanmar is a tropical country, cotton and linen clothing (summer clothes) would be ideal for most of the year. Don’t forget to pack a warm jacket or a sweater as the evenings might get a bit chilly at times.
• A light raincoat and an umbrella might come in handy as out of season surprise downpours are not uncommon.
• If you are visiting Myanmar in the rainy season or if you are planning to visit the hilly northern region it’s best to bring some warm clothes with you.

Annual Rainfall

Humidity: Ranges from 82.8% to 66%

Annual Rainfall:

• Delta region: approximately 2,500 millimeters (Yangon 2700 mm)
• Dry Zone: less than 1,000 millimeters (Mandalay 840 mm)
• Coastal regions: over 5,000 millimeter

However when the Burmese military government took over, they renamed it 'Pyin Oo Lwin'. It is also known as 'Pyin U Lwin'. The main sources of income of the locals are rearing cows, farming vegetables and flowers, tending strawberry and pineapple orchards, growing coffee and Knitting sweaters. This petite town with its cool ambiance is well known among local and international tourists for its colonial charm and cool climate.

Getting in Pyin Oo Lwin

• By bus - It takes around two hours to get to Pyin oo Lwin from Mandalay and will cost you not more than K5000 exchange rate
• By train - It takes around two hours to get to Pyin oo Lwin from Mandalay and ticket prices differ according to the type of class you chose.
  • Ordinary Class - $3
  • Upper Class - $6
• By taxi - It takes approximately two hours (from Mandalay) to make the journey costing around K10,000 which can be shared among two or more people.
• By motorbike - You can hire a motorbike from a rental place in Mandalay -Motorcycle Rental mandalaymotorbike.blogspot.co.uk- and ride with freedom and ease to Pyin oo Lwin at your own sweet pace.

Things to do in Pyin Oo Lwin:

• Visiting Colonial Houses
  • The main attraction of this hilly region is its colonial churches, bungalows and cottages which are mostly situated at the southern end of the town.
  • The Governor's house which was built in 1903 got destroyed in 1943. Its perfect replica stands there today in the form of a high class hotel.
  • All saints' Anglican Church which was built in 1912 stands in witness to its colonial past.
  • Gandamar Myaing Hotel, Nan Myaing Hotel and Candacraig (Thiri Myaing) Hotel have replaced ex-colonial buildings that used to be known as 'Croxton” (a British mansion), 'Craddock Court” (a colonial rest house) and the guest house of the Bombay Burma Trading Company respectively.
• Pyin Oo Lwin Market
  • A 'must see' itinerary in your tour, this buzzing market in the center of the town neighboring Purcell Tower, displays authentic Burmese fresh produce and dry rations of the likes of wine, strawberry jam, coffee and woolen cloths (the specialty of Pyin Oo Lwin).
• Purcell Tower
  • Constructed in 1934 by the English Company, Gillete & Johnson Co. in honor of the silver Jubilee of the rule of the British King, George V, Purcell Tower stands erect to this day over looking the central market.
• Visiting religious sites
  • Chan Tak Buddhist Temple, this colorful Chinese temple can be found quite close to Thiri Myaing Hotel in the southern part of Pyin Oo Lwin. It was said to be a construction of the many Chinese immigrants who live there.
  • Maha Ant Htoo Kan Thar Pagoda, the origin of this Pagoda is as colorful as the temple. Legend has it that while transporting three marble images of Buddha from Mandalay to China, one toppled off the truck and the workmen could not lift it back inside the truck, causing them to leave it behind. A local monk had faith in its power and preached Buddhist doctrine to the locals by sitting atop the image for seven days. When people tried to move the statue after 7 days, they found it weightless and was easily moved to its current position in the town. From this day on wards the statue sits inside a beautiful Pagoda built around it receiving offerings from faithful devotees within and without the city.
• Visiting Caves
  • Peik Chin Myaung Cave (Maha Nandamu Cave), located in Wetwun village along the road to Lashio, 12 miles to the east of Pyin Oo Lwin, this limestone cave, with a 20 feet wide and 1600 long entrance, is said to be 230-310 million years old. It bears its present name, as a result of a past where Peik Chin plants grew in multitude near the caves. However its magnitude and strength lie in the sheer number of Buddha images and the pagodas of varying positions and sizes displayed in various niches and corners inside. When you go deeper within, you cannot but notice the underground springs flowing(locals believe that these waters have healing powers and bottle it up to take home as a home remedy for skin and eye irritations) to and fro and the icicles or rather stalactites which have formed due to centuries of dripping of water from the rocks and limestone. A stop over at this cave is a must for anyone visiting Pyin Oo Lwin.
• Visiting Waterfalls
  • Dattawgyaik Waterfall (Aniskan Falls), situated in Ani Sakhan, exactly at half way between Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin, this beautiful water fall consisting of three layers reaches a height of 122m and a depth of 91m, making the 45 minute climb from the trail-head to the bottom of the falls extremely steep and the 90 minute climb up the falls to the top equally steep yet refreshingly jubilant with its surrounding hills, the cooling dew drops and the distant echo of the water touching the depth below. If you plan to take plenty of photos we would advise you to travel in winter time as the amount of water is less making it possible to take clearer snapshots.
  • Pwe Kauk Falls, a favorite picnic spot among local families who lovingly call this falls the B.E falls. It was also called the Hampshire Falls by the British. This is situated just a bit away from Pyin Oo Lwin on the way to Lashio and consists of two falls.Out of these, the shallower one is preferred by many as a place for fun and frolic. The nearby market will give you a chance to savor local products like wine, strawberry jam, fruits and flowers while a short trek of an hour or so will lead you to a series of natural caves called U Naung Gu displaying Buddha images of ancient value.
• Visiting Botanical gardens
  • The National Kandwgyi Gardens, consisting of a rare collection of flora, of the likes of foreign species, orchids of different origin, dahlia and rose gardens, along with exotic fruits and trees, spanning originally along an area of 240 acres (out of which 70 acres are water and 170 acres are land) stands the National Kandawgyi Gardens also known as National Botanical Gardens just 1.5 km south of Pyin Oo Lwin. This was the brain child of Alex Roger who was a forest researcher. He founded this in 1915 with the help of Lady Cuffe a fellow botanist and used the Kew Gardens in England as a model. It was recognized by the Government of Burma as a declared Forest reserve with ample state recognition in 1924. Since 2000 it is regarded as a recreational garden where visitors are allowed to rest and relax among the well maintained paths and nooks while enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. The flocks of black and whit swans, shoals of pond fish, the aviary filled with horn-bills and other varieties of birds, swamp trails,The fossil museum, the petrified wood museum, the butterfly museum and the watch tower that gives panoramic views of the town make this place one of the top tourist attractions in Pyin Oo Lwin.
  • The National Landmark Garden, this lies in the immediate vicinity of the famous Kandawgyi Botanical gardens consisting replicated scale models of many popular land marks of each state in Burma laid out in a land measuring up to 50 acres.The objective of its 2006 launch was to let the visitors observe cultural constructions of the likes of Pagodas, Stupas and natural treasures of the likes of famous caves, hills at a single venue. This is also equipped with a theme park and a massive garden.

This small rustic town consists of a stretch of road that runs parallel to the sea ,dotted with small restaurants, wooden guesthouses and shops selling miscellaneous what-not from sun hats, solar cream to Buddha statues.

Things to do:

• Watch a perfect sun set
  • while you sit back And rest your tired feet lulled by the quiet break of waves on the shore, feel the beauty of being a live by witnessing one of the most fascinating sunsets of over the Bay of Bengal that Myanmar has to offer.
• Enjoy seafood dishes
  • Enjoy a variety of sea food delicacies including crab, shrimp, lobster and various types of fish in the varied restaurants in the city center at the northern edge of the beach.
• Snorkeling
  • Explore the small island at the southern end of the beach, accessible on foot when the tide is out, which offers you a brilliant view of the sea and its creatures. Snorkel among the coral reeves and visit the homes of brightly coloured shoals of fish.
• Boat rides
  • To get a better view of the sea and to look for clearer waters to snorkel, you can hire a boat with a guide and cruise the endless crystal clear waters.
• Motorbike rides
  • To explore further in land and to escape the endless beach scenery for a while, you could hire a motorbike and ride through rustic country roads and jungle treks to the Irrawaddy Delta city of Pathein.
• Visit the Elephant Camp in Padaung
  • Just about an hours ride from Ngwe-Saung will lead you to a camp of elephants where you can offer to feed and clean the elephants, watch the frolicking joy of the young ones and the reserved magnificent grandeur of the mature.

Yangon has a growing number of young art enthusiasts and you’ll be awed at their novel ability to create fresh paintings and art pieces. To learn about contemporary art in Burma please go to the link below - www.artasianyc.com

Ten traditional art forms

1. Panbe (the art of blacksmith). These artisans temper iron in the furnace to create items such as ox cart axles, ox cart iron, tyres, scissors, hammers, adze, pickaxes, knives, hatchets, axes, digging hoe , mattocks etc...

2. Panbu (the art of sculpture). Panbu meaning the person who produces figures and floral designs out of wood or ivory, these artisans are capable of making human and animal figures as well as floral designs.

3. Pantain (the art of gold and silver smith). This is the art of making items of gold or silver such as drinking bowls, receptacle bowls, prize-cups, shields and belts.

4. Pantin (the art of bronze casting). This is an enterprise producing materials of copper, bronze or brass. They would make triangular brass gongs, gongs, and brass bowls for monks, weights in the shape of brainy ducks, trays etc..

5. Pantaut (the art of making floral designs using masonry). This is a handicraft of making decorative floral designs in relief with stucco. The artisans create the figures of lions, dragons and floral designs with stucco.

6. Panyan (the art of bricklaying and masonry). This is an enterprise which constructs buildings using bricks, stones and cement. These masons build brick houses, Pagodas and bridges.

7. Pantamault (the art of sculpting with stone). Stone carving in simple terms, the artisans make Buddha image poles , pillars, leo graphs, elephants, deer, circular flat stones, pestle and mortars and tables.

8. Panpoot (the art of turning designs on the lathe). This is an enterprise of making wooden utensils turning on turners lathe .e.g. making shafts of umbrella, table legs, and legs of beds and turnery posts for Pavilions and railings.

9. Panchi (the art of painting). This is the art of illustrating living animals and inanimate objects using different colors. The artists paint the figures of human beings, animals, objects, scenery designs and cartoons.

10. Panyun (the art of making lacquer ware). This is a handicraft producing materials made of bamboo, wood and thick black varnish. e.g.; food bowls for alms, bowls for monks, and bowls of pickle tea, lacquer vessels, drinking cups, betel boxes, and cheroot boxes.

Other than these 10 fold art forms, Burmese make a daily living out of pottery, Mosaic, Tapestry, Lapidary, Gold foil, wall painting, silk weaving, bark painting and palm portrait. You will occasionally see street vendors selling such valuable items in the streets of the main cities.

Martial Arts

• Thaing. This is the form of martial arts which were introduced into Myanmar almost 2000 years ago.
• Bando. This is the ancient art of self-defense of Myanmar.
• Banshay. Banshay is a form of martial art, focusing on weapon use.
• Lethwei. This is traditional Boxing, which is a form of kickboxing originated in Myanmar.
• Naban. This is a term for the various grappling martial arts of Myanmar.
• Bando Yoga. This is the Yoga system practiced by ancient warriors of northern Myanmar.
• Minzin. This is a system of internal exercise similar to Chinese Chi Gong.

Music

Though traditional music in Myanmar might sound too loud, repetitive (especially when played on board long distance buses) and without harmony to many western ears, it has its own sense of melody. Burmese music is entwined with various folk and classical forms where drums, wind and string instruments are used in composition.

• Maha Gita. The complete set of Myanmar classical songs is called ‘Maha Gita’. It means great songs.
• Myanmar Orchestra. The musical collaborative called "Saing Waing” is similar to an Orchestra in western countries.

Despite its social isolation for many years, Burma has a thriving modern music scene where western styles like pop, rock, hip-hop and even reggae are admired and followed with their own upcoming young artists and music groups. To learn more about contemporary hip-hop in Myanmar please go to www.myanmarhiphopchannel.com

Theatre

• Pwe. This form of traditional entertainment involves showcasing religious stories, folk tales and legends using dance movements. The dancers are adorned with heavy make-up and colorful costumes. To find more about Pwe shows please visit www.minthatheater.com
• A-nyeint. This is an evolved version of Pwe where they combine dance and music with slapstick humor. The spectators are entertained with the addition of playful insults directed at them. Foreign spectators might find the performance amusing and the humor broader than they could ever imagine which in fact makes Anyeint worth checking out.
• Moustache Brothers, based in Mandalay and Zarganar are world renowned for their Anyeint performance. They were held as political prisoners during the military regime’s rule for making fun of the regime and indirectly challenging their dictators. To get the latest on Moustache Brothers please go to www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20528893
• Marionette Theater. Sometimes referred to as puppet, marionette shows use puppets to relate Buddhist stories, discuss social issues etc… It is a must see for anyone visiting Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan. Myanmar puppet shows were famous from the ancient times. They performed these shows using Myanmar style figures made out of wood with movable limbs attached to strings .These figures mimicking the day to day Myanmar characters were dressed in typical Burmese clothes. There were basically 18 characters in a band made up of human, animal, demon, mythological, spirit, and some additional characters. You can still see puppet shows in the main cities of the country hosted specially for tourists. To get more information about the latest happenings in Marionette Theater please check out the following links www.htweoomyanmar.com and www.mandalaymarionettes.com/aboutmyanmarmain.html

Deep religious devotion of Burmese people could be seen in the sheer quantity of Pagodas and Temples scattered in and around the country. Thus leaving no doubts as to why Myanmar came to be called “the land of million pagodas”

1. Pagodas (Stupas)

This solid structures cannot be entered and are said to contain sacred Buddhist relics that are hidden from view in containers buried at their core or in the walls. Clear examples of the classical model of the Burmese stupas (with a square base of several recessed terraces, a stairway on each side leading up to one or two octagonal terraces, on top of this a circular bell-shaped dome extending upward into a conical, ringed spire) can be seen in the great Shwezigon Stupa in Pagan and the Kuthawdaw Stupa in Mandalay. Of course you cannot miss the towering symbol of Buddhism, the ever popular shwedagon pagoda of Yangon which is another example of the richness of Pagoda architecture in Myanmar.

2. Temples

• Temples With an open central sanctuary. You can see hundreds of examples of this kind at Bagan. Larger temples of this type have a central shrine that can be entered from all four sides. At times you can find four Buddha images seated back to back at the center.
• With a solid core ringed by a corridor. These are square shaped structures with four entrances. You can find four images placed in a niche facing each entrance. These four images usually represent, the Great Events in the Buddha’s life – Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon and Death – or in some temples you’ll find four identical Buddhas representing the four previous Buddhas of our era. The fifth Buddha in some temples represents the future Buddha, Maitreya. You will find more than several temples of this type at Bagan.
• A combination of the two. You’ll find this type of architecture in most of the larger temples of Bagan. (e.g.: Nagoyan Temple).This type They usually have a square central sanctuary surrounded by a circumambulatory corridor with an entrance hall and porch on one side. You’ll see the primary Buddha image in the central shrine facing the entrance, and numerous smaller images filling niches throughout the temple.

You’ll see temples built inspired by:

• The Mon phase such as the The Nagayon temple, built by King Kyanzittha about 1090 AD
• Transitional phase (between Mon phase and Burmese phase) such as the Ananda Temple built by King Kyanzittha in 11l2 AD
• Burmese phase, such as The Thatbyinnu Temple built by King Alaungsithu, between 1150 - 1160 AD.
• Hindu culture. The Nathlaungkyaung is the only Hindu temple at Bagan dedicated to God Vishnu

3. Monasteries

• Single, enclosed, two-story brick building. You can easily find this type inside the compound of important temples or stupas in Bagan. A library occupies the center stage of the first floor with a corridor around it with doors opening to the timber pavilion and to the outside. The second floor is basically reached with the help of stairs built into the thickness of a sidewall and usually consists of a central room ringed by a hallway. A second staircase can be seen leading to the flat terraced roof.
• Multi cell monasteries. These have several small, single-cell rooms opening into a rectangular courtyard and are similar to those built in India at Nalanda, Ratnagiri, and Mainamati. These are often built to hold two-stories and the main shrine is enhanced with a circumambulatory corridor. Some of these have underground rectangular courtyards with a staircase directly leading to ground level. Monks’ cells can be seen in the open courtyard at times a well could be seen as an added structure. Many examples can be found at Pagan
• Other than visiting these historic monasteries you can also pre- arrange to visit a current Buddhist monastery in Myanmar to take a glimpse at the traditional lives of monks and nuns in Myanmar.

4. Colonial Buildings

Yangon or formerly called Rangoon by the colonial rulers provides you an opportunity to witness some of the massive colonial buildings of its time. Most of its colonial buildings were constructed during 1900 - 1920, and were mostly designed by architects who had never been to Yangon.

Among some of the sights that will fascinate you with their magnificent haughtiness mixed with the weather beaten look of standing through time, old crumbling colonial era tenement houses, the once proud secretariat building of Yangon, the Yangon Court House inspired by the Queen Ann style architecture, the supreme court of down town Yangon, would be hard to miss.

In particular a soothing walk through the Strand river front would lead you to a world of British Colonial architecture.

5. Royal palaces

In spite of the fact that you will witness some hastily renovated palaces (e.g.: in Mandalay, Shwebo etc…), most of these proud structures made solely of teak (expensive hardwood) have almost vanished out of sight due to Burma’s sometimes violent history and the only trace of some of these wooden buildings is the pattern of the post-holes that were dug to contain the supporting timber.

Burmese Economy at a glance

• Second largest producer of world's opium
• Rice is the main agricultural product
• Producer of 90% of the world's rubies and has reserves of similar precious stones like sapphires, Pearls and jade.
• Main exports are raw materials, natural gas, timber, vegetables, rice and precious stones. It mostly export to Thailand, India, China and Japan.
• Main imports are textile material, petroleum products, fertilizers, machinery, construction material and food-types.

Economic Reforms

As a result of the current government's initiative, it unified the exchange rates and floated the Kyat in April 2012 with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and privatized main state's assets while reducing commercial monopoly of a few corrupt businessmen by opening up the country for business competition. Furthermore, with the lifting of international sanctions, the government has released some of the restrictions on import goods and introduced reforms in the form of new land and investment laws which creates special economic zones, paving the way for foreign investments.

You’ll find that locals (mainly men) are fond of drinking and would happily sit down to a friendly round of beers with a foreigner. You’ll have no difficulty in finding a beer station or a restaurant serving local and foreign brewed beer and spirits at any time of the day and during the early hours of the night.

However you’ll hardly see any local women at any of these beer stations as it is still a new concept for women to mingle with men in the way we do in the west.

Myanmar Beers

Myanmar brewed larger beer selection is surprisingly good according to Asian standards.

• Myanmar Beer, the most favored among many foreigners visiting the country
  • Green label (5% alcohol), White label (7.7% alcohol)
• Mandalay Beer, Popular among locals as well as foreigners.
  • Blue label ( 5% alcohol), Red label (7% alcohol)
• Dagon Beer, The newest addition to Burmese beer collection.
• Spirulina Beer, Diet beer for the health conscious.

All these come in 330ml cans, 640ml and 750ml bottles, and on draught.

Spirits

• Rum is surprisingly cheaper than beer in Myanmar. Mandalay Rum and Myanmar rum are the most commonly available products.
• Whisky is also cheaper than beer in Myanmar. Grand Royal Whisky is widely available.
• Toddy (htan ye), you have to try this local brew, which is fermented from the sap of locally grown palm trees to get a real taste of the rural life of Myanmar. You’ll be definitely offered a swig or two as a friendly gesture whenever passing a toddy distilling spot on your trips through the country side.
• Wine is generally more expensive than any of the other brews.
  • Myanmar boasts of two of its own vineyards near Inle lake. A visit would refresh you not only with its fresh winery but also with its breath taking landscapes.
  • Western wine can be enjoyed at western style bars and hotels in and around main cities.

To find out prices please go to budget

Where to drink

• Beer Stations
  • These can be called the base of Myanmar drinking culture, where locals (rather only men) gather around wooden benches in the simple open air huts to chat, watch European football (surprisingly popular among locals) or just chill out while sipping a mug of local beer.
• Western style bars
  • Some beach resorts and hotels in the main cities like Yangon boast of some western style bars that stay open till late night. New bars and pubs are coming to life every month in the background of the booming tourism.

Night life

Due to unreliable electricity supply and years of social, political and economic isolation the concept of night life is still new (except in up end hotels and main cities). However things are changing at a rapid phase as people are becoming wealthier and are getting more and more exposed to the world outside their country.

To find out the latest developments in Burmese night life, please visit the following:

Burma Nightlife Where to Drink

Yangon International Airport (RGN) Arrivals

Yangon Airport Flight Status deals with questions such as:

• Is my flight departing from Yangon Airport on time?
• How long is the delay? Is it cancelled?
• At what time will I arrive at Yangon Airport?

Mandalay International Airport (MDL) Arrivals

Mandalay Airport Flight Status deals with questions such as:

• Is my flight departing from Mandalay Airport on time?
• How long is the delay? Is it cancelled?
• At what time will I arrive at Mandalay Airport?

Important: Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity after your planned date of leaving Myanmar.

Myanmar eVisa

The Myanmar government has launched a Myanmar eVisa. The Myanmar eVisa costs $50.

Note that the Myanmar eVisa is currently only valid for arrival at the 3 main airports in Myanmar (Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw), not yet accepted at the four Thailand/Myanmar land border gates (Myawaddy, Tachileik, Htee Kee and Kawthaung)