Travel to Burma
Burma's Information
| Land Area | 653,508 km2 |
|---|---|
| Water Area | 23,070 km2 |
| Total Area | 676,578 km2 |
| Population | 56,890,418 |
| Population Density | 84.09 / km2 |
| Government Type | Parliamentary Republic |
| GDP (PPP) | $307.00 Billion |
| GDP Per Capita | $6,000 |
| Currency | Kyat (MMK) |
| Largest Cities |
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Tourist facilities
are adequate in Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Ngapali beach, Yangon, and Taunggyi, but limited elsewhere.
Tourist facilities do not exist in the new capital, Naypyidaw, and there are reports of foreigners being deported after trying to visit Naypyidaw without permission.
Travel by foreigners is restricted in many areas of the country. Special permission is required for visits to certain areas. Visitors can expect to pay several times more than locals for accommodations, domestic flights, and entry into tourist sites throughout the country.
Visitors are encouraged to bring the necessary cash to cover their expenses for the duration of their visit, since traveler's checks and credit cards are rarely accepted, and ATM cards will not work.
Those difficult barriers aside, from its virgin jungles to snow-capped mountains to pristine beaches, Burma (Myanmar) is one of the most exotic destinations in all of Asia. Known as The Golden Land, the Land of Immortality and the Land of Gems, it is gold that's glorified and found everywhere, especially on pagodas and monasteries.
Major points-of-interest include: the Shwedagon Pagoda, gilded with more than eight tons of gold; the Sule Pagoda; Twante - known for pottery and cotton-weaving, and Bagan, known as the city of "over four million pagodas." Not known for its beauty, the historical old capital, Mandalay, remains the cultural center, with many historical sites, memorials and Buddhist edifices including the Golden Palace Monastery, Mandalay Hill and Kuthodaw Paya.
Note: There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia, including in Burma.
Bomb explosions have occurred throughout the country, including in Yangon (Rangoon), Naypyidaw and Mandalay. Areas frequented by tourists, including shopping centres, markets, hotels and public transport, have been targeted. Further attacks could occur at any time.
CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAUS:
GENERAL INTEREST:
- Calling Code: 95
- Electricity: 230V, 50Hz
- Drive on the: Right
- Times to Travel: November to February are the preferred months for travel to Myanmar. There is not a lot of rain and the temperatures are milder.
March to May is the hot period and temperatures can reach as high as 104° F (40° C).
The monsoon season is mid-May until October.
TOURISM SITES AND LINKS:
- Attractions in Myanmar
- Golden Image Travel
- Ministry of Hotels & Tourism
- Myanmar's Net Tours
- Myanmar River Cruises
- Myanmar Tourism Services Co.
- Myanmar Travel Information
- Pyin Oo Lwin (City of Flowers)
- Tourism Myanmar
- UNESCO Sites
TOURISM TRANSPORTATION:
- Air Bagan Airlines (Domestic)
- Air Mandalay Airlines (Regional)
- Myanmar Airports
- Myanmar Airways International
PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS - WARNINGS:
- NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all applicable health, passport and visa requirements. The people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
- Burma (Myanmar) Travel Advice and Warnings