Climate
The climate of
Myanmar is dominated
by a tropical
climate with three
general seasons. The
rainy season during
the south-west
monsoon from mid-May
to mid-October, the
cool season (winter)
from mid-October to
mid-February and the
hot season (summer)
from mid-February to
mid-May. The best
time to visit
Myanmar is from
October to mid-May.
Religion
The majority are
Buddhism; over 80
percent of the
people embracing it.
There are also
Christians, Muslims,
Hindus and some
animists.
Culture
Myanmar lies on the
cross-road of two of
the world's great
civilization- China
and India, but its
culture is neither
that of India nor
China. However a
blend of both
inspirations can be
seen in Myanmar
native
characteristics and
traits. The people
have preserved the
traditions of close
family ties, respect
for the elders, and
the reverence for
Buddhism. Myanmar
are contented and
cheerful even in the
face of adversities
and known for their
simple hospitality
and friendliness.
Entry Visa
Valid passport with
Entry Visa is
required for all
visitors to Myanmar.
Visa can be obtained
at any Myanmar
Embassy or Consulate
abroad. Two
application forms
and three passport
size photos will be
needed. Fee is about
US$ 15 in local
currency. Golden
Xylophone Travels
will provide the
clients with a
letter to be
supplied to the
embassy which states
that the tour has
been pre-arranged
and therefore is
considered an "EVT
Package Tour" which
will then be stamped
into the passport.
This will avoid the
necessity of having
to exchange US$300
into Foreign
Exchange
Certificates on
arrival at Yangon
International
Airport.
International
flights
Yangon has direct
air-links with
Bangkok, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur, Osaka,
Calcutta, Dacca and
Kumming. The Myanmar
Airways
International, Thai
Airways
International, Silk
Air, Biman, Malaysia
Airline System,
Indian Airlines,
Druk Air, All Nippon
Airways and Air
China operate
schduled flights in
and out of Yangon.
Currency and
exchange
The monetary unit is
the Kyat, which is
divided into 100
pyas. The official
exchange rate is 6
Kyats to US$ 1. For
the convenience of
the visitors,
Foreign Exchange
Certificate (FECs)
are issued by the
Central Bank of
Myanmar to use
during their stay.
It is compulsory for
a Foreign
Independent
Travellers (FIT) to
change on arrival a
minimum of US$ 300
with FECs 300. This
FECs are acceptable
likeUS$ by any
person in Union of
Myanmar. It is
printed on the note
as 1 FEC = 1 USD.
Customs
All foreign
currencies ( above
US$ 20000 ),
jewelleries,
electrical goods and
cameras must be
declared to the
Customs at the
Airport. Export of
antiques is totally
prohibited. Only
gems and jewelleries
purchased at the
licensed dealers, or
who can issue an
export permit are
allowed to be taken
out of the country.
Visitors may bring
in duty free 200
cigarettes, one
quart of wine and
one pint of perfume.
Health
Vaccinations are not
required for a
visitor to Myanmar,
but malaria
prophylaxis is
recommended and for
the travelling to
remote areas
travellers should
check with their
doctor regarding the
inoculation against
typhoid, hepatitis,
tetanus.
Airport tax
External airport tax
is US $ or FEC 10.
Time
GMT + 6:30 ( hours )
Electricity
220 Volt 50 HZ
Domestic travel
Domestic air
services have
greatly improved
over recent years.
However, railways,
bus and steamer
services are still
needed for the
convenience of the
visitors. The
clients of Golden
Xylophone Travels
will travel by
reliable Air Bagan,
Air Mandalay ( or )
Yangon Airways and
by air-conditioned
vehicles. In remote
areas,
air-conditioned car
or bus may not
always be available
and travellers
should be advised
that the conditions
of roads in Myanmar
are not the same.
For this season,
long distance travel
usually takes longer
than that might be
expected. Baggage
allowance on
domestic flights in
limited to 20 kg.
Excess luggage can
be left in Yangon
hotels for
collection on return
from upcountry.
Some useful advices
on traveling in
Myanmar
Light clothing is
recommended all
year-round, but a
sweater or jacket
may be needed in
hilly areas,
especially during
winter months. If
visiting during
rainy season
(May-September) an
umbrella or raincoat
will be required.
Adequate medicine
and torch lights
(flesh lights) may
be required. It is
required to dress
decently within the
precincts of
religious buildings.
Shoes and socks must
be removed at
pagodas and
monasteries.
Travellers are
advised to keep away
from touts who may
approach them to
exchange foreign
currency or to sell
gems of dubious
quality. Travellers
are also advised not
to drink tap water,
but purified bottled
water is available
everywhere. |
