What should you pay attention to when traveling to Myanmar?

1. Travel Season

The average temperature throughout the year in Myanmar is approximately 26-36°C. The whole year is divided into dry season and rainy season. The dry season is from October to April. The dry season is the prime tourist season in Myanmar. The weather is sunny. Tourists need to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats and other items. However, the weather is very hot at the end of the dry season, and only the plateau where Inle Lake is located is cooler. The rainy season is from May to early September. There is a lot of rain in southern Myanmar, so tourists are advised to bring rain gear.

2. Mobile phones and phone cards

Short-term mobile phone SIM cards can be purchased in Myanmar for about US$20-25. China Mobile's phone cards can answer and make calls in Myanmar after international roaming is activated, but they cannot send and receive text messages. China Unicom's phone cards can only be used after international roaming is activated for 3G numbers, but the fees for both are higher and the network is poor. You can use Wi-Fi and an Internet calling tool (such as WeChat or QQ) to replace the phone in cafes, restaurants and hotels, but the Internet speed is very slow. You can also make international long distance calls in Internet cafes (1000K-2000K/minute).

3. Accommodation

When traveling to Myanmar, the main destinations are Yangon and Mandalay, so accommodation is also in these two cities. Since the privatization of Myanmar’s hotel industry , hotels and hostels in Yangon have sprung up one after another, and price competition is fierce. There are many reasonably priced restaurants and hotels in the city, and food and transportation are very convenient.

Before going to Myanmar, please book a good hotel online. You can book in advance through Haoqiao.com. It is highly recommended. It is affordable and easy to use. It beats booking and agoda. I accidentally discovered it when I was searching on Baidu for a convenient place to stay in Pai County. When I made a reservation on BOOKING before, the Internet speed was very slow. I was tired of looking at the directions of various hotels. I couldn't figure it out and it made me dizzy. Later, I discovered Haoqiao.com on Baidu. I saw that they clearly classified the locations of hotels, which was so convenient. It was really useful for me as someone who has never been there.

4. Internet

Nowadays, Myanmar is not as difficult to access the Internet as the guide wrote a few years ago. Many restaurants provide free WIFI and order a delicious drink (about 1000kyat ) to enjoy WIFI, many hotels also provide free WIFI. Internet cafes are everywhere, and the Internet access is about 500k/hour.

5. Currency exchange

The unit of kyat is KYAT, abbreviated as "K" and pronounced as (jia). Burmese currency is mainly used locally, but US dollars can also be used, and RMB can be used at the China-Myanmar border. The exchange rate of the Kyat fluctuates frequently, and the exchange rate varies every day. You need to bring US dollars with you when going to Myanmar. The bank in the airport lobby can exchange for local kyats. Myanmar's banking industry is underdeveloped, and people usually buy gold to protect their value and avoid depositing money in banks. Due to long-term Western financial sanctions, Myanmar's domestic financial services lag behind, and most commercial trade and personal purchases are conducted in cash. The most commonly used foreign currencies are US dollars and euros. U.S. dollars must be new, unfolded, and have no writing on them. These requirements can be made when exchanging U.S. dollars at a domestic bank. RMB is basically useless in the local area. Local accommodation, tickets, and air tickets have to be paid in US dollars. Buses and other scattered expenses use Myanmar currency, and taxis can be used. Euros can also be exchanged in Myanmar.

US dollars can be exchanged for kyats in airport halls and banks, and hotels can also exchange them, but the exchange rate is lower. Now there is no need to go to the black market at Aung San Market to exchange money, the exchange rates at banks and airports are already very good. The face value of Myanmar's coins is too small and is basically not used, and the 10, 20 and 10,000kyat banknotes are also rarely seen. Usually 50, 100, 200, 1000, 5000 are more common. I really can't afford to hold on to bundles of money after changing money once. Myanmar people have strict requirements for high standards of US dollars. They need the version after 2006, no creases, no marks, no color difference, etc. The staff will examine every banknote as if it were a handicraft. Almost every new dollar that everyone handed over was returned, including the small bank logo stamp that many domestic bank girls said.

Notes on exchange:

Banks in Myanmar cannot exchange foreign currency on weekends. Cash is basically the method of payment in Myanmar. Tickets to hotels and attractions cost US dollars, but renting a car, shopping and eating in small restaurants require Kyat. Please be sure to bring enough cash. The U.S. dollars used must be the version after 2006, and should not have creases, paintings, or color differences (that is, it is best to be brand new, so be careful when exchanging money in China). Before leaving the country, large amounts of kyat must be exchanged for US dollars and cannot be taken away. Banks in Myanmar are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and you cannot exchange currency, and the exchange rates at nearby places where you can rent a car or book a hotel are slightly worse. Myanmar once issued "Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC)" to replace U.S. dollar cash. In theory, its citizens were not allowed to use U.S. dollar cash, but now FECs are rarely seen. Kyat currency cannot be taken outside Myanmar.

6. UnionPay

UnionPay cards can be used to withdraw money from CB Bank ATMs. You can find several machines in Myanmar and Mandalay, but Myanmar has to charge 5000K unilaterally. There is a handling fee. Calculate the exchange rate. It is not cost-effective to directly exchange U.S. dollars.

7. Credit card

The use of bank cards has not been popularized in Myanmar. Very few large hotels accept credit cards. There are some ATM machines that can withdraw cash using VISA cards. Basically, all other purchases require Pay directly in cash, so be sure to bring enough cash.

8. Tipping

There is no custom of tipping in Myanmar, so you don’t need to consider this, but restaurants will charge a government tax of 10%.

9. Visa and Entry-Exit

Myanmar has resumed its airport visa-on-arrival policy. Chinese citizens taking international flights to Myanmar from the airport port can apply for an arrival visa at the Myanmar entry port for domestic departure. No need Invitation letters and other documents. If you are entering Myanmar by land or water, you still need to apply for a tourist visa in advance in the country. Moreover, Myanmar’s tourist visa is only valid for one month and can be applied for at the Myanmar Embassy in Beijing, the Consulate General in Nanning, and the Consulate General in Kunming.

10. Important advice

Before setting off to visit scenic spots, it is best to ask the hotel attendant to write down the address of the hotel and the name of the scenic spot to be visited in Burmese to facilitate communication with the locals.

You can use a calculator to negotiate the price when shopping, but don’t not buy after you’ve negotiated the price.

Myanmar does not have a complete tap water filtration and treatment system. It is best to buy bottled or barreled water for drinking water.

Don’t litter (this is easy to say, but difficult for many people to stick to).

Try to bring your own toiletries and do not use the hotel’s disposable utensils.

When photographing locals, please ask for their permission first.

In Myanmar, the right side is the most valuable. It is best to use the right hand to deliver items and avoid using the left hand.

Burmese people believe that the head is the most sacred part of the body, so do not touch the heads of adults or children at will, and do not point at people with your fingers.

Short skirts, shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed when entering the temple, and shoes and socks must be taken off.

Do not hang women’s sarongs higher than the head, and do not hang underwear in conspicuous places such as balconies or courtyards.

1. Introduction to Myanmar:

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar (English: the Republic of the Union of Myanmar), referred to as Myanmar. It is a country in Southeast Asia and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It borders the Andaman Sea to the southwest, India and Bangladesh to the northwest, China to the northeast, and Thailand and Laos to the southeast. The capital is Naypyitaw.

Myanmar is an ancient civilization with a long history, formerly known as Hongsawady. After the unified country was formed in 1044, it experienced four feudal dynasties: Bagan, Bago, Taungoo and Gongbang. From 1824 to 1885, the British launched three wars of invasion and occupation of Myanmar. In 1886, the British classified Myanmar as a province of British India.

On January 4, 1948, Myanmar declared independence from the British Commonwealth and established the Union of Myanmar. In January 1974, it was renamed the Socialist Republic of the Union of Myanmar. In July 1988, due to the deterioration of the economic situation, demonstrations broke out across Myanmar.

On September 18 of the same year, military personnel headed by Defense Minister General Su Maung took over the power, established the "National Law and Order Restoration Committee" (renamed "Myanmar National Peace and Development Committee" in 1997), announced the abolition of the constitution, dissolved the People's Assembly and State authority. On September 23, 1988, the name of the country was changed from "Socialist Republic of the Union of Myanmar" to "Union of Myanmar". In May 2008, the new constitution of the Republic of Myanmar was adopted, stipulating the implementation of a presidential system. Myanmar held a multi-party national election in 2010 based on the new constitution. On February 4, 2011, the Myanmar Congress elected U Thein Sein as the first president of Myanmar. On March 15, 2016, the Parliament of the Union of Myanmar elected U Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's first democratically elected non-military president in more than half a century.

In 2005, the Myanmar government moved the capital from Yangon, the largest city, to Naypyitaw (formerly Pyinmana). Myanmar is a country mainly based on agriculture, with more than 60 people engaged in agriculture. The agricultural products include rice, wheat, sugar cane and so on.

2. Location and Territory:

Myanmar Myanmar is located in southeast Asia and the west of Indochina Peninsula. Its northern and northeastern borders are with Tibet and Yunnan, China. The border between China and Myanmar is about 2185 meters long. kilometers, of which the Yunnan-Myanmar section is 1,997 kilometers; the east is adjacent to Laos and Thailand, and the border lengths of Myanmar-Thailand and Myanmar-Laos are 1,799 kilometers and 238 kilometers respectively;

The west of Myanmar borders India and Bangladesh. Myanmar borders the Andaman Sea to the south and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, with a total coastline of 2,655 kilometers. Myanmar is shaped like a diamond, about 2,090 kilometers long from south to north, and about 925 kilometers at its widest point from east to west. Cape Victoria at the southern end of Myanmar is at 10 degrees north latitude, and the Myanmar-China border north of Putao at the northern end is at 28 degrees north latitude. Most of Myanmar is south of the Tropic of Cancer and is tropical. Maungdaw in the far west of Myanmar is near the 92nd parallel of east longitude, and the Mekong River at the eastern end of Myanmar is near the 101st parallel of east longitude. Yangon and Mandalay, the second largest city, are both on the 96th east longitude, and Myanmar’s standard time is based on 96th east longitude.

3. Terrain:

Myanmar covers an area of ??approximately 678,500 square kilometers and has a coastline of 3,200 kilometers. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south. It is surrounded by mountains to the north, west and east. There are high mountainous areas in the north, the Naga Hills and the Arakan Mountains in the west, and the Shan Plateau in the east. Kaikabo Peak, close to the Chinese border, is 5,881 meters above sea level and is the highest peak in the country. Between the western mountains and the eastern plateau is the Irrawaddy alluvial plain, with low and flat terrain.

4. Climate

Most areas have a tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 27 degrees. The extreme maximum temperature in Mandalay region exceeded 40 degrees. January is the month with the lowest temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is above 20 degrees; April is the hottest month, with an average temperature of around 30 degrees. Rainfall varies from place to place, ranging from 500-1000 mm in dry inland areas to 3000-5000 mm in mountainous and coastal rainy areas.

5. Minerals

Myanmar is rich in mineral resources, including oil, natural gas, tungsten, tin, lead, silver, nickel, antimony, gold, iron, chromium, jade, etc.

Oil is one of Myanmar’s important economic resources. Before the war, oil was Myanmar's largest mining industry, with a maximum annual output of about 1 million tons. Oil is distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Irrawaddy River in Ren'anqiang, Shaobu, Xingu, Ren'anjia, Lanyue, Minbu, Palanyong, Yodaya, Dandai, Bidaobin, Ren'anma, Yingdao, and Yanbieniao ( Langley Island) and the islands south of Sittwe. After the 1960s, oil was discovered one after another in Ayado, Myang, Pyay, Repeta, Man, Libando and other places. In the late 1980s, Myanmar implemented an open policy. The government successively signed contracts with nine oil companies from South Korea, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom to cause trouble in Motama, Mawlamyine, and the Arakan Valley. And the exploration of oil and natural gas along the Chindwin River has achieved gratifying results.

Non-ferrous metals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tin, tungsten, and manganese in Myanmar are widely distributed, ranging from northern Kachin State to Maliwen in southern Tanintharyi. , among which:

The gold is distributed in Mako and Xiadusai in Kachin State, near Banmao in Sagaing Province, and in the Mengmi and Gelu areas of Shan State.

Silver-lead ores are distributed in the southeastern part of Kachin State and along the Enmei Khai River, Boton in Shan State, Bolik and Kyauksi in Mandalay Province, and Koludu, Karen State. Dicharya, Dawei in Tanintharyi Province and other places.

The tin-tungsten mixed ore is distributed in Taunggyi, Shan State, Mochi, Kayah State, Strait, Karen State, Mawlamyine and Dawei and Moji in Tanintharyi Province.

Zinc and manganese are distributed in southern Shan State.

Antimony is distributed in the northwestern, northern and eastern parts of Shan State, Kayah State and Karen State.

Boton (Baotwin) in Shan State is a multi-metal mining area, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and antimony. Before World War II, there were nearly 3,000 underground workers in the mine. The mine was damaged during the war and was restored in 1951.

The Mochi Mine in Kayah State mainly produces tin and tungsten. Although its scale is not as large as Boton, its tungsten output ranks first in the country. Before the war, the mine produced more than 5,500 tons of tin and tungsten, accounting for 10% of the country's total. Half of the production is produced in Dawei and Moji.

Iron is distributed in the upper reaches of the Enmeikai River, northwest Shan State, and eastern Mandalay. In June 1961, the Myanmar Petroleum and Mineral Exploration Company and the German Bolangeyu Company discovered an iron ore with reserves of 63 million tons in the Binbai area near Taunggyi. The iron content of the iron ore was 53%.

Coal Myanmar’s coal resources are not very rich, but they are found in Dawei, Indi, Shwemao, Shan State Nandu, Gelu, some areas of Kachin State, areas east of Mandalay, and Rakhine There is coal in Bang Sittwe and the Moji area in Tanintharyi. In June 1961, coal reserves of 128 million tons were discovered in Gariva.

Myanmar is a famous gem and jade producing area in the world. The main producing area of ??gems is Mogok, which is rich in rubies and sapphires. In 1989, a new gemstone origin was discovered in Bingnong Village in Nandu, Shan State. The Myanmar government designated the area around Bingnong as a national exclusive gem production area. Jade mines are distributed in the northern part of Kachin State, and the main producing areas are Mengong, Kambaidi, Nongken, and Pagan. Diamonds are mainly produced in the area near Jingduo Village in Mengmi Township.

6. Forest

Myanmar is one of the countries with the most extensive forests in the world. In 1994, the total area of ??Myanmar's forests (including 43% closed forest and 30% open forest) was 34.42 million hm2, accounting for approximately 51% of the total land area, and the forest coverage rate was approximately 52.3%.

Myanmar is rich in forest resources. By the mid-1990s, 1,347 species of tall trees, 741 species of small trees, 1,696 species of shrubs, 96 species of bamboo plants, and 36 species of vines had been discovered. and 841 species of flowering plants. Among the 2,088 tree species, 85 are already used in wood production for various purposes.

7. Things to note when traveling to Myanmar

1. Myanmar is a country with a very unpredictable visa policy. It is best to call the embassy to confirm.

2. Burmese people attach great importance to soup, and soup is included in almost every meal. Sometimes they also drink some soup between meals. They think the soup is very nutritious and not greasy. In Myanmar, the most delicious fruits are all kinds of fruits, which are cheap and delicious. There are many unfamiliar fruits that are not delicious when eaten raw, but when cooked, they taste much better. For example, there is a fist-sized fruit called "Abucado", which is very greasy when eaten raw, but can be squeezed into juice. , add sugar and water, the taste is amazing. In addition to juice, Burmese people also love to drink tea, especially "Chinese tea". Many people keep a pot of hot water by their side from morning to night, ready to make tea.

3. Since Myanmar is a Buddhist country and there are many pagodas in Bagan, the custom here is that you must take off your shoes when visiting the pagoda, which shows respect for the Buddha. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a pair of slippers when traveling in Bagan.

4. Burmese people do not eat beef and worship cows infinitely, as if they are gods. In the past, cattle were not allowed to be whipped, let alone killed. Pedestrians and vehicles must give way to the "sacred cow" on the road, and they will also give delicious food to the "sacred cow". So, when dining in a Burmese restaurant, avoid asking about beef dishes.

5. In Myanmar, only women smoke. You might be intimidated by their big cigarettes.

6. Myanmar’s postal system is relatively developed. The price of sending a postcard from Myanmar to anywhere in the world is 50 kyats. If you want to send a larger package, you can go to DHL and send it to Anywhere but the United States.

7. Myanmar’s overall material and economic level is relatively low, and the health status is not very good. Especially in the daily diet, there are many raw vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to bring some commonly used medicines with you, such as antidiarrheal medicines and cold medicines. Medicine etc. The climate in the dry season is hot and there are more mosquitoes. If you go to Inle Lake, you need to bring some mosquito repellent to avoid getting sick. If conditions permit, try to drink bottled water.