Overview about Myanmar

Myanmar is now a hot topic in South East Asia. They are on the way to open the market, after a long time of  embargo. Myanmar is a special and interesting country with the extremes inside the country. I don't say much about their culture and special, because you may know why you want to come there before reading this entry.

The information about Myanmar in this blog is based on my trip to Myanmar in October with some other friends.

Shwedagon, Myanmar's landmark

Visa to Myanmar

Even when you're a citizen of SEA, you still need a visa to Myanmar. However, it's not difficult, (at least with Vietnamese as I tried already). You can apply visa by yourself with the following documents:

• Visa Application form (download here)
• 2 photos of you (3x4 cm)
• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Fee: 35$ 

You should apply it in Myanmar Embassy at least 10 days before your trip.

Interesting spots:

The most famous cities/provinces in Myanmar: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake (Heho). Each place has its own characteristics, I'm going to summary just some of them for your reference:

• Yangon: an old capital with the landmark Shwedagon 2500 years old, the oldest Buddha pagoda in Myanmar as well as over the World. But except for that, the remains of Yangon are not interesting at all.
• Bagan: A region of ancient and lively pagodas and temples. It's like Angkor in Cambodia. 
• Mandalay: full of pagoda, stupas, temples, monastery, monks and many of "the highest, the longest, the biggest..." of the World here. 
• Inle Lake: A very large lake in their highland and it's very very beautiful.

If you have time, a full trip within 10 - 12 days is the best.

If you don't have time and you have to choose one or two cities only, it's totally depended on your objectives and interests. However, in my opinion, Mandalay can represent for the Burma's spirit. They still have many ancient pagodas and architectures, as well as they're still lively in the real life of people here. Some of my friends commented that they didn't like Mandalay the most. They may be right because Mandalay doesn't have the the most beautiful landmarks of Myanmar.

My suggestion: You can fly to Mandalay and spend 2 days here, and then leave for Bagan (if you want to discover the history and ready with walking under the sunshine) or Inle Lake (if you love nature and wanna have some relaxes).

Transportation

In Yangon and Mandalay, you can call for taxi or hire a car with driver. In Bagan, you can hire car or horse to get around the areas, and in Inle Lake, you can walk. (I will write in detailed about the transportation within each province later).

To get in and out of the cities, you can have 2 options: flight or bus. All are convenience and good enough. (But the bus fare in Myanmar is still high). You can save time and money with night bus.

Domestic flights: The domestic airlines in Myanmar are quite good. Some of popular ones:

• Asian Wings Airway
• Air Bagan
• Air Mandalay

But the most inconvenient here is that you can't book it online! You have to contact with agency or your guide in Myanmar to book for you. Everything you can do before the trip is looking for the schedule and fares - but for reference only! This website may be useful: http://www.airmyanmar.com

Fare for one way ticket was around 70-90$ (in 2011).

Yangon domestic airport

Tip: We booked via email (without payment) with a guide named Saw (saww.myanmar@googlemail.com). He also offered us a full service in Yangon with a taxi from/to the airport, to the hotel and flight tickets. The guide was useful and he introduced us to another guides in Bagan.

Bus: It's easy to buy a bus ticket, you can ask your guide or agency/hotel to know where to buy tickets. They may help you to buy it, too. Bus fare is around 15,000 kyats (~17US$) for one way from Mandalay to Inle Lake, the other routines are similar.

Accommodation

Almost average hotels in Myanmar are quite old and you shouldn't expect much. The room rate was around 40 - 50US$ for a mid-range hotel. (But remember that you shouldn't expect much).

There was no way to book online at the time we traveled in October 2011, we booked via email for hotel in Yangon only. For the other cities, we just came and went around to pick the best one. (The names and addresses will be mentioned in the next entries about Myanmar).

Foods and Drink

There are many side-dishes in a traditional meal, but it's quite oily (may be the mix of Malaysian and Chinese food). An average meal should be around 3-5US$/1 person.

Prices of drinks (even water) is as expensive as food. So don't waste your water here.

Our first meal in Bagan. Is it too much for 3 gals?