Myanmar borders China, Thailand, Laos, India and Bangladesh. Tourism is not yet very widespread. Many parts of the country still seem very original, and some are not even accessible to foreigners. But it is precisely the culture, the many temples and pagodas, as well as impressive landscapes that make Myanmar a particularly exciting travel destination. See andyeducation for education in Myanmar.
| Capital City | Naypyidaw |
| Size | 676,578 km² |
| Resident | 51.419.420 |
| Official Language | Burmese |
| Currency | kyat |
| Time Zone | UTC+6:30 |
| Telephone Area Code | +95 |
Fast facts to know
- Traveling in Myanmar takes time.
- Some regions of the country may not be visited by foreigners or only with a special permit.
- Accommodation is often scarce and of poor quality, making spontaneous travel difficult.
- Myanmar is the largest country in Southeast Asia, but is also one of the least developed countries in Asia.
- Myanmar is considered a very safe travel destination.
- The land was once overgrown by dense forest, more than 50% has been cleared to this day.
- Poaching endangers many animal and plant species.
- The majority of the population works in agriculture. Parts of the harvest have to be handed over to the military.
- A visa is required for Myanmar. (Maximum length of stay: 28 days. Obtain an e-visa online at evisa.moip.gov.mm ).
- Myanmar is known as “The Land of Festivals”.
- Special vaccinations are not required, but malaria prophylaxis is recommended, depending on the area and time of year.
- About 89 percent of the population are Theravada Buddhists.
- The residents are very friendly and sociable.
- Kissing, hugging, or holding hands should be avoided in public.
- In greeting, the hands are placed against each other in front of the face and one bows at the same time.
- Shaking hands is not desired for hygienic reasons.
Exciting cities in Myanmar
- Naypyidaw
- Amarapura
- Bago
- Bagan
- bhamo
- Chin state
- dawei
- Kalaw
- Lashio
- Mandalay
- sagaing
- Yangon
- Monywa
History of Myanmar
- 11th century Foundation of the first Burmese empire by King Anawrahta.
- 19th century British rule follows after lost wars.
- Burma becomes part of British India.
- During World War II, Burma is occupied by Japan.
- After the end of the war, renewed integration into the British colonial empire.
- Independence granted in 1948.
- Ruled several times by military regimes until 1962.
- 1966 Expulsion of all Christian missionaries.
- 1988 several thousand dead after violent suppression of protests in the capital Rangoon.
- Establishment of a military regime under General Saw Maung.
- 1989 renaming to Myanmar.
- In 1990, after the NLD’s landslide victory in democratic elections, the regime declared the elections invalid and bloodily suppressed protests.
- 2005 Relocation of the capital to Naypyidaw.
- 2008 Parts of the country are devastated by tropical storm Nargis, around 85,000 dead.
- Since April 2011, a democratization process has started in Myanmar.
- Since 1982, the Rohingya have not been considered a native population group and are therefore repeatedly persecuted and expelled. After renewed escalation in 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya are fleeing.
- 2018 The International Criminal Court begins investigations into genocide against Myanmar.
Climate & travel weather in Myanmar
- Tropical climate, subtropical in the north-east.
- November to February: cool and dry.
- March-April: hot.
- May-October: rainy season.
- Danger of tropical cyclones in summer.
- Recommended travel time:
- November to February (mild & dry).
- Rainy seasons and hot periods with more than 40° should be avoided.
Ideas for trips in Myanmar
- Sunrise at Shwesandaw Pagoda in Bagan
- Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
- Temple of Mrauk-U
- Carriage ride through Inwa
- Balloon ride in Bagan
- Floating Gardens on Inle Lake
- U-Bein Bridge near Mandalay
- Golden Rock at Kin Pun
- Saddan Cave at Hpa-An
- Zinathukha Yan Aung Chanta Buddha
- Pagoda with Kyauk Ka Lat Monastery near Hpa-An
- Bago with its reclining Buddhas and pagodas
- Ananda Temple (Bagan)
- Indein Village Ruins (Taunggyi)
- Pagoda Forest Kakku
- Ghost mountain Mount Popa Daung Kalat
- Golden city of Mrauk U
- Pindaya Cave
Eating & Drinking in Myanmar
- Cuisine strongly influenced by China, Laos, India and Thailand.
- Cuisine varies from region to region.
- Rice as a staple food, but also sweet potatoes and cassava as filling side dishes.
- Eaten tropical fruits a lot and with pleasure, as well as fresh vegetables.
- Beef or pork is rarely eaten, fish, seafood and chicken are very popular.
- People in Myanmar like to eat spicy.
- Herbs and spices play an important role, perfect meal from ideal balance between sour, salty, spicy and sweet.
- Most people in Myanmar only eat with a spoon (do not put the fork to your mouth).
- In their own four walls, Burmese mostly eat with their hands.
- Tea and fruit juices are the main drinks.
- Better to do without ice cubes and already opened water bottles, hygiene mostly does not meet European standards.
- Typical dishes:
- Mohinga (fishy noodle soup).
- Thounq (spicy salad with fresh vegetables or fruit tossed in lemon juice).
- Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad).
- Shan noodles (sticky rice noodles).
- Pyin oo Lwin (Hot Pot of Pig).
- Falooda (ice cream with rose syrup).
- Tiger Prawn Curry.
- Chicken curry.
Particularly scenic
- Ngapali Beach
- Myeik Archipelago
- Inle Lake
- Ayeyarwady Delta
- Indawgyi Lake
Myanmar Fast Facts