General Info
Myanmar is one of the largest country in South East Asia, stretching over 2,000 km from North to South. It is twice the size of Vietnam, over a quarter larger than Thailand, and Myanmar is bigger than England and France combined. Ethnically diverse, Myanmar is a nation of many races - some 130 ethnic groups make up its population of nearly 45 million. making for landscapes that are incredibly picturesque.
The country's great lakes, snowcapped mountains and unspoiled beaches are undoubtedly some of the most stunning, idyllic, and mystical places to be found anywhere on earth. Myanmar's physical beauty is enhanced by the spectacular pagodas and temples that can be found all over the country. These venues for contemplation and prayer radiate the obvious spirituality of the people.
http://www.nirvanatour.de/burma/burma.html
Events
January
Ananda Pagoda Festival: the town of Bagan dresses up its many pagodas as processions and cultural performances fill the streets. This is good time to visit the town of 3,000 pagodas, as things rarely get more animated here than they do at this time.
Independence Day: Yangon is the best place to fully experience this display of might and patriotism, which in itself is bizarre enough to be interesting.
February
Sea Gypsies Festival: there are more than 800 islands in the Mergui Archipelago of southern Myanmar. Thanks to their near total isolation, a diverse range of plants and animals have flourished here. Each year the local sea gypsy community prays for a good fishing season with colourful rituals and processions.
March
Pindaya Cave Festival: the beautiful caves of Pindaya come alive during this popular festival, celebrating their unique beauty and religious significance. Buddhist rituals and cultural performances are planned both around the caves and in town. This is one of Myanmar’s best events, so don’t miss it if you’re in the area.
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival: the famously stunning pagoda in Yangon takes on a buzzing atmosphere during its annual festival. Religious ceremonies and colourful processions fill the grounds as the capital’s population comes out to make merit.
April
Thingyan Water Festival: this fun water festival celebrates Myanmar’s New Year. The entire country stops working to splash each other with water and cool off from the oppressive heat of April. Every town has some degree of fun, with larger towns sporting parades, beauty pageants and concerts.
May
Kason Festival: on the first full moon after Thingyan, the Kason Festival happens. This auspicious event honours the Buddha’s birthday, the day he attained enlightenment and the day he died. Temples buzz with activity as monks and locals make merit and hold processions through towns.
July
Waso: this full moon day honours the Buddha’s first sermon, a major event in the annals of Buddhism. Waso also marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, when the monks retreat into their temples for the rainy season. Every temple in the country is full of activity at this time as fascinating rituals are carried out.
August
Wagaung: another of Myanmar’s full moon celebrations is also known as Maha Dok, after a poor man who became rich after making selfless offerings to the Kas-sa-pa Buddha. On this occasion, temples place huge alms bowls on their grounds and locals come to give a little extra of whatever wealth they have in the hope of gaining more in return.
Taungpyone Nats: one of Mandalay’s most energetic events is also known as Spirits Festival. For eight days, Taungpyone is the site of cultural performances and amazing spirit dances. As this site is only accessibly by water, the river is teeming with boats and people.
September
Tawthalin Boat Races: all over the country royal regatta festivals take place to commemorate boat races of the past. These races were once a major fixture in Myanmar’s cultural calendar and are now being actively revived by the government. Any town with a river will have lots happening along its water.
Buddha's Tooth Relic Festival: once each year, this sacred relic is brought out from its vault and paraded around the town of Paung-de on an elephant. Buddhists from all over Myanmar make a pilgrimage to the site to worship this relic, creating a truly amazing scene.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival: Inle Lake is the site of this popular festival where four sacred Buddhist images are pulled clockwise around the lake on a royal barge. One-legged rowers take three days to make the round, and leg-rowing boat races are held throughout the festivities.
October
Thadingyut Festival of Lights: this major event marks the end of Buddhist Lent, when monks are allowed to come out of their temples and rejoin society after retreat during the rainy season. Houses and streets in every town are brilliantly illuminated and pagodas are packed with people marking merit.
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival: this interesting event presents a life-sized elephant made from paper, which dances through the town of Kyaukse near Mandalay carrying a replica of the Buddha’s tooth. A colourful parade follows the elephant.
November
Hot Air Balloon and Fireworks Festival: if you are near Shan State, stop by the town of Taunggyi to witness Myanmar’s hot air balloon competition. This is the country’s most popular winter festival featuring handmade paper balloons that float through the skies, backed by fireworks.
December
Karen New Year: the Karen people celebrate New Year, which ties into their harvest cycle. Wearing traditional costumes, the Karen observe this occasion with folk dance and song.
http://www.hoteltravel.com/myanmar/guides/festivals.htm
Money & Costs
Currency
The monetary unit in Myanmar is the Kyat (pronounced 'chat'). Visitors are not allowed to bring in Kyat or take it out of the country. U.S dollars are the only widely use currency. The compulsory exchange to FEC's (Foreign Exchange Certificates) upon arrival is no longer required.
Exchange places for local currency can be asked your NXNE Guide, Driver or Ground Handling staff.
International credit cards and travelers checks are not widely used in Myanmar. Some major International Hotels accept payment by credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and Amex cards for their in-house guests and usually add a handling commission and also currency exchange charges.
Important note: Please be extremely aware that Hotels, Restaurants, exchange counters and banks will not accept torn, dirty and old U.S Dollar Bills. Please bring brand new bills and to carry US dollars in small denominations for miscellaneous spending.
Activitie
Swimming and other types of water sports are possible on the following beaches: Kanthaya Beach (located on the Rakhine coast); Maung-ma-gan Beach (located on the Taninthayi coast in the south and reached from Dawei); Ngapali Beach (located on the Rakhine coast); and Chaung-tha Beach (located west of Pathein).
Football can be seen at Aung San Stadium in Yangon and on small fields throughout the country.
This is encouraged by Myanmar Travels and Tours and there are a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which also offer trekking and safaris. The best parks are the Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (located northwest of Monywa); Hlawga National Park (near Yangon, good for birdwatching); Popa Mountain Park (extinct volcano covered in forests in the desert area of central Myanmar); Lampi Island (Myeik Archipelago) (which can be reached by boat trips from Myeik and Kawthaung); and Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary (located in Minbu).
http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Burma(Myanmar)/Activities
Culture
Environment
In Myanmar the principal environmental threat comes from cyclones and flooding during the monsoon season, and regular earthquakes. Deforestation for farming or illegal economic gain is the most persistent ecological effect of human encroachment. In 1985, 405 square miles were lost through deforestation. By 1994, two-thirds of Myanmar's tropical forests had been eliminated. However, the nation still had the world's eighth largest mangrove area, totaling approximately half a million hectares.
Little information is available about the long-term effects of industrialization on the natural environment, although evidence of industrial pollutants has been found in the air, water, soil, and food. Myanmar has 880.6 cubic kilometers of renewable water resources. Only about 89% of city dwellers and 66% of the rural population have pure water. Inadequate sanitation and water treatment are leading contributors to disease. Environmental concerns have been given low priority by the government.
Endangered species in Myanmar include the tiger, Asian elephant, Malayan tapir, Sumatran rhinoceros, Fea's muntjac, river terrapin, estuarine crocodile, and four species of turtle (green sea, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback). The Javan rhinoceros is extinct. Out of a total of 251 species of mammals, 31 are endangered; of 867 breeding bird species, 44 are endangered. Twenty reptiles in 203 species are threatened along with one type of freshwater fish. Myanmar also has 6 threatened species of plants in a total of 7,000. Threatened species include the banteng, pink-headed duck, freshwater sawfish, Sumatran rhinoceros, Siamese crocodile, hawksbill turtle, gaur, and sun bear.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Myanmar-ENVIRONMENT.html
Getting there & away
The only sure-fire way to get more than a few kilometers inside of Myanmar is to fly. Although Mandalay has a brand new state of the art international airport, as yet very few international carriers fly there. Almost all international flights land at Yangon's Mingaladon Airport. The name sounds a bit like a dinosaur, and that impression is reinforced by your arrival there, although a new terminal is under construction.
Airlines Serving Myanmar
Sanctions have kept most western airlines out of Myanmar, so getting there will most likely involve a transit in Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Thai Airways
The Thai flag carrier flies to Yangon daily from Bangkok. You can book tickets online through their web site.
Bangkok Airways
Thailand's second carrier also flies daily between Bangkok and Yangon.
Malaysia Air System
The Malaysian national carrier flies internationally between Kuala Lumpur and major cities around the world.
Silk Air
This Singaporean airline flies between Singapore and Yangon every day.
http://asiaforvisitors.com/burma/bu-gethere.html
Getting around
Transportation
DOMESTIC AIRLINES & FLIGHTS
Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways and Air Bagan are privately operated airlines flying throughout Myanmar. There is a 20 Kilo limit for baggage per person and excess baggage fees may be charged.
Sea Ports
Cruises docks at Thilawa Port, about one and half hours from Yangon. This port is the gateway to Myanmar. Another port, Nanthida, located on the Yangon River and boasts a unique combination of the old English colonial buildings along with modern day structures, markets and hotels.
(1) PORT / TERMINAL INFORMATION
Name of Port/Terminal: Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT)
MITT is located 25 km from downtown Yangon.
(2) PORT / TERMINAL INFORMATION
Name of Port/Terminal: Nanthida Jetty
Nanthida Jetty is conveniently located at the Hlaing River Bank, near the Strand Hotel (5- minute walk to downtown).
Passangers onboard Cruise Ships call at Yangon Ports will granted Visa on arrival.
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