How to get there

There are three Air accesses to Myanmar; Yangon-the former Capital, Mandalay-the third Capital and
Nay Pyi Taw-The administrative Capital of Myanmar. Moreover, it can be accessible from border area such as Tachileik from Thai border and Muse from China border.

Yangon Gateway

There are more than20 International Airlines fly to YangonInternational Airport such as; Myanmar Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways International, Thai Air Asia, Air Asia, China Southern Airlines, China Airlines, Silk Air, Jet Star, Dragon Air, Tiger Airways, Nok Air, Korea Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Indian Airlines,Condor, Air France, Blue Panorama, Air Bagan& Air Mandalay from Chiang Mai, etc.

Mandalay Gateway

There are several Airlines fly to Mandalay International Airport such as; Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways International, Silk Air, China Eastern Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, JAL, etc.

Bagan Gateway

We can arrange the charter flights on request for entering to Bagan directly.

Border-passes

As Myanmar is sharing the borders with China, Laos, Thailand, India & Bangladesh, some of the borders are open to foreign visitors. Please check the following. The rest of the borders are closed at the time of writing this manual.

From China (Ruili-Muse & Tar Law´-Kyaing Tong)

Originally built to supply the Chinese forces in its struggle against the Japanese, the famous “Myanmar Road” runs from Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to the city of Lashio. Nowadays the road is open to travelers carrying permits, from the Chinese side (Ruili) into Myanmar via Muse.

Three hour-drive (90 km) from Kyaing Tong is another Myanmar-China border, Mine Lar. This access will bring us to China-Xishaungbanna province. The permit has to be asked at both sides, Myanmar and China. The permits from Myanmar can easily be arranged but only if the travelers book the whole arrangements with local tour operators and travel agents in Myanmar.

From Thailand (Mae Sai – Thachileik)

The bridge spans the Sai River between Myanmar’s Tachileik& Thailand’s Mae Sai. The border check-point opens daily from 6 AM to 6 PM. We just have to cross the bridge on foot for five minutes then, the border check-points of both Myanmar & Thailand sit in each side.

From Thailand (Sangkhlaburi-Three pagodas pass, Payathonezu)

This is one of the most interesting and accessible of the border crossing points. Now there is also legal trade going on at Three Pagodas Pass- Payathonezu. Travellers have been allowed to go inside the country but the road is quite bad.

From Thailand (Mae Sot-Myawaddy)

This crossing begins a route from Myawaddy to Mawlamyine via Kawkareik along a rough road. The following details are required at one month in advance for border-pass.

Full Name
Date of Birth
Passport numbers with issued & expire dates
Nationality
Occupation
Sex

Airport Departure Tax

There is a departure tax of 10 USD per person payable on international departures only. The airport tax for domestic flight is Ks (Myanmar Kyats) 1000 per flight.

Passports & Visas

Myanmar requires a valid passport of minimum 6 months with Entry Visa is required for all visitors. A tourist visa allows a stay of 4 weeks, extendible of an additional 14 days. A business visa allows a stay of 10 weeks, extendible to from 3-12 months on a case-by-case basis. If the visa is expired by a day or two, it is possible to pay three dollars per day.

Online e-Visa application system has been available for tourists since 1st September, 2014.Please see Visa Information for more details.

Customs

You may bring in as much foreign currency as you want. However, foreign currency exceeding USD 10000 or equivalent taking in by a foreigner must be declared. Jewelries, electrical goods and video cameras must be declared at the airport.

Duty free allowance: 2 bottles of liquor, 2 cartons of cigarettes, 50 cigars; 250 gm of pipe tobacco,250 ml of perfume or eau de cologne.

Gems and jewelry purchased from authorized dealers (with vouchers) are allowed to be taken out. But antiques in museum quality are strictly prohibited.

Pre-Departure Preparations

A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is a wise idea.Aspirin or Panadol (for pain or fever), Antibiotics, Calamine lotion (to ease irritation from bites or stings), Bismuth preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium or Lomoti (for stomach upsets and diarrhea), Bandages (for minor injuries), Insect repellent, sunscreen, suntan lotion, chap-stick and water purification tablets are recommended to carry.Ideally antibiotics should be administered only under medical supervision and should never be taken indiscriminately.

Vaccine

No vaccinations are presently required. The classical routes are not the malaria zones such as Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay&Inle Lake. There is malaria only in the extreme northern part and some parts of very high mountains and thick forest. So, actually it is not really essential to take any anti-malaria pills but malaria prophylaxis is often recommended by travelers’ personal physicians.

Average Temperatures in the Main Destinations

Water

Please don’t drink the water and that includes ice as well as tap water. Take care with fruit juice, particularly if water may have been added. Milk should be treated with suspicion, as it is often un-pasteurized. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt is always good. Tea or coffee should be OK since the water is boiled. In general, the juices, the milk, the water, the tea and coffee offered at the hotels and the restaurants we recommend, are safe. Bottled water and mineral water are obtainable at any shops in most places.

What to wear

Throughout the year, it is advisable to wear summer clothing: thin cloths in light color. In December and January, warm clothes are recommended for visits to Northern provinces. In rainy season (July to September), it is advisable to bring raincoats.

What to bring

Sun hat, sun glasses, sun protection for your face and body, prescription medicines, insect repellent and an umbrella May to mid-October (rain or shine),a light warm sweater, when travelling Inle Lake area and to the Golden Rock. An antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches, extra pair of prescription glasses, a small flashlight and extra passport photos.

Seasons to visit Myanmar

Generally speaking, Myanmar is well access in all year round. Even though it has the effect of monsoon in June, July, August &September, it is not rainy the whole country. Only the parts, which are closed to the sea, such as Yangon and coastal regions have sometimes heavy rains but it does not happen in all these months. Since Mandalay &Bagan are in the dry-zone, even in monsoon period, there is very little rain. Since Inle Lake is hilly region, sometimes it rains and sometimes it does not. Nevertheless, the rains do not disturb your visit and sightseeing. The best period to come to Myanmar is from mid-October to end of March. April and May are the hottest months in Myanmar.

Things to buy

Shopping in Myanmar is better than ever now. Bartering is also quiet acceptable.In larger towns and cities the best bargains are usually found in the public markets. Each place has its own particular such as lacquerware in Bagan, textiles such as silk, cottons, etc., in Mandalay &Inle Lake (Shan bags can be found as well), wood carving, tapestries, marionette in Mandalay are main souvenirs from Myanmar. The rubies and jades are also famous but be aware before purchasing.Please don’t buy any antiques in museum quality. Simulated antiques, fine ceramics and copies of famous paintings are also possible to buy. Most of the souvenirs shops in the main towns accept the American Dollars. Very few shops accept Euros but not favorable. The most convenient currency to pay is in Kyats – local currency in all over Myanmar.

Import Restrictions

The following items are prohibitedin terms of the Sea Customs Act; Counterfeit coins and currencies,Pornographic articles,goods having counterfeit trade mark,all kinds of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,playing cards,goods bearing the imprint of the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,goods bearing the emblem of Buddha and pagodas of Myanmar.

Export Restrictions

Common types of items prohibited from exportation out of Myanmar are arms and ammunitions, pornographic articles, Antiques and all kinds of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The following items cannot legally be taken out of the country:Counterfeit coins and currencies,Pornographic articles,Piece goods without stamped measurement,all kinds of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,Antiques,wild life and endangered species, pre-historic implements and artifacts, fossils, old coins, bronze or brass weights, bronze or clay pipes, Kammawas or Parabaiks, inscribed stones, inscribed gold or silver, historical documents.
For Gems &jewelry, there is Burma rubies, sapphires, jade and pearls available at Myanmar gems shops. All gems and jewelry purchased should be made through the government licensed dealers, who can give a voucher or certificate for export.

Time

GMT + 6 ½ hours (one hour difference with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand)

Electricity

The voltage is 230 volt, AC 50 HZ. Most of the hotels and places have three-pin plugs. For those who have brought video camera, adapter is highly recommended. Most of the Hotels have their own Generators for emergency backup.Make sure to protect your electrical appliances from Over Voltage.

Safety

Myanmar is a very friendly and safe country in general. But basically, there is nothing on the road apart from 22:00 in the big cities and in the small towns or villages everybody goes to bed at 20:00 or 21:00.

Etiquette

It is recommended that you avoid kissing and hugging in public, pointing at things with your feet, sitting with your feet pointing to a Buddha image or a Shrine, improper use of or behavior toward a sacred thing like a Buddha image. Shoes and other footwear (including socks) must be removed when entering religious buildings and homes. Miniskirts, shorts and revealing clothes are prohibited when visiting temples and pagodas.

Language & Religion

There are over one hundred ethnic groups in Myanmar, all with their own languages and dialects. The majority speak Myanmar (Burmese), although English is widely spoken. 85% of Myanmar are Theravada Buddhist. The rest embrace Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or Animism.

Entrance fees

Entrance fees are collected at the famous Pagodas, Temples, Monasteries, Old Palace and Archaeological Zones. Tickets are available at the entrance of the respective places or sites.

Medical treatment

If you should get sick in spite of all the precautions, following hospitals are recommended:

SOS Int’l Clinic
Inya Lake Hotel,
37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road,
Tel : (95-1) 657922
• 24-hour emergency centre with an expatriate doctor who can arrange referrals if needed. Also well equipped with diagnostic and general surgery services.
• Head Doctor: Dr. Olivier Cattin

Asia Pacific Medical Centre
81 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 549152, (01) 553783,09-73056079

Australian Embassy Health Clinic & Dental Surgery
Unit 206, Golden Hill Tower, 24-26 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan
• Tel: (951) 558353

Range of family GP services from an Australian registered GP.
• There is a small pharmacy at the clinic.
• X-ray and Pathology services are also available.
• Head Doctor: Dr. Mark Hampson

Pan Hlaing Int’l Hospital
Pan Hlaing Golf Course Housing, HlaingThaYar,
Tel : (95-1) 664321~8