|
Information For Visitors |
| Tourist
attractions |
|
Myanmar is endowed with a rich variety historic and
cultural sites and natural environments all of which
provide an endless array of attractions for tourists.
The allure of Myanmar culture are pagodas, temples,
arts and crafts, traditional villages and life-style.
It's natural environment highlights mountains covered
with tropical forests, cool clear lakes and unspoiled
beaches. Above all is the warmth and hospitality
of Myanmar people that visitors remember most. |
| Entry
Visa |
A valid passport, visa and onward tickets are required
of all visitors. Tourist and Business Visas
are valid for 28 days and it can be easily obtained
by Myanmar
Embassies and Consulates. Tourist visas
are not extendible; business visa may be extended
for another 28 days. Transit visa is valid for
24 hours. However, those who come to Myanmar
for business, educational or diplomatic purposes can
be obtained visas for longer stays. Children
over seven years of age, even when included on their
parents' passport, must have their own visa.
Three passport-size photos must be accompanied with
such arriving foreigners for visa applications and
three for submission to the immigration authorities.
For updated information (such as visa fees), contact
Myanmar
Embassies and Consulates nearest you. |
| Currency |
The unit of currency is the Kyat which is divided
into 100 Pyas. There is no limit to the amount
of foreign currency which may be brought into Myanmar
but all of it must be declared upon entry. Visitors
are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats.
It is required for foreign visitors to exchange a
minimum of $300 or other equivalent acceptable currency
with Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) 300 units.
FECs are issued in three One, Five and Ten US Dollar
denominations. They are exchangeable with US
Dollar or Pound Sterling only. Payments by FECs
are deemed to have been made in foreign exchange and
FECs can be freely used within the Union of Myanmar.
Myanmar currency should be purchased only from authorized
money exchangers at the airport, hotels or banks.
All major Credit and Charge cards (e.g., American
Express and VISA Cards) are accepted except the Master
Cards.
Visitors
with less than US$2,000 are not required to declare
at the Customs. |
| Customs |
The visitors are permitted to bring in the following
items duty-free: 400 cigarettes (or 100 cigars or
250 grams of unrolled tobacco), 2 litres of alcohol
and a 1/2 litre of perfume.
You will be required to fill out a customs form declaring
camera, jewelry, and other electronic appliances.
This declaration must be returned to customs officials
upon departure. If you bring handy phone, custom
will keep it until departure. Artifacts of archaeological
interest cannot be taken out of the country, nor can
any precious stones unless they have been purchased
from the official-selling shops. There is no
enforced restriction on the export of souvenir of
genuine tourist interest. Besides, all kinds
of narcotics and obscene literature, picture and articles
are also prohibited.
On arrival, after having customs declaration stamped
and if you have no goods to declare, you can pass
though the Green Channel. If you have any doubt,
use the Red Channel. |
| Airport
Facilities |
|
Yangon International Airport is located 20 km from
downtown Yangon. The Arrival Terminal is located
separately from the Departure Terminal and the Domestic
Terminal and simplified procedures ensure that on
arrival and departure, international passengers are
processed quickly through immigration and customs.
The airport tax is US$6 for international passengers,
payable in FEC
(Foreign Exchange Certificates). There is
no airport tax on domestic flights. Duty Free
shopping facilities available in both the Departure
and Arrival Halls of Yangon International Airport. |
| Limousine
Service |
|
A Limousine Service Counter is located in the Arrival
Hall. Major hotels provide transfer services,
and taxis are also available. Passengers are
advised not to use the services of touts for taxi
or other services. |
| Business
hours |
Most offices are opened from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Banks are opened to the
public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Most
restaurants closed by 9 p.m. However,
most drug stores are opened 24 hours.
The Myanmar Standard Time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich
Meridian Time (GMT). |
| How
to come |
|
Yangon has direct airlinks with Bangkok, Singapore,
Dhaka, Kunming and Mosow. Myanmar
Airways International, Silk
Air, Thai International,
Biman
Airlines, Air
China and Aeroflot
operate regular flights in and out of Yangon.
Note: The Airport Tax is US$10.
|
| When
to come |
|
In Myanmar, the rains begin in May and are most intense
between June and August. This is a time of high
humidity - especially intense the coastal and delta
regions. In October, the rains let up, and the
cool season begins to peer. Therefore, the best
time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season which
runs from November to February. The morning
and evening are cool and fresh. |
| What
to wear |
|
Dress in Myanmar is casual and light clothing is recommended
all year round. Quick-drying clothes are a good
idea for visits during the rainy season or
Thingyan (Water Festival). A light sweater
will be useful during the cool season and a heavy
sweater needed when traveling to the northern or hilly
areas. Sandals or slippers are convenient, as
the dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe
decent apparel and no footwear (i.e. removal of shoes
and socks). Sunglasses are a practical accessory
to pack. |
| What
to bring |
|
A small torch (flashlight) is a good idea, as it makes
it easier to find your way back to your bungalow at
night if you are staying at the beach or at a remote
guest-house. A few other handy things include
a compass, a plastic lighter for lighting candles
and mosquito coils. Sun block and mosquito repellent
are available, although they can be expensive and
the quality of both is generally substandard.
|
| A
little advice |
- Tipping
is not a common practice in Myanmar. However,
if you wish to show your appreciation for some
small service of a waiter, a porter or a driver
a gift such as a ballpoint pen or a cigarette
lighter or something like that will be easily
accepted.
- Beware
of unauthorized people who offer their services
as guides.
- Visitors
are advised to use the hotel car service
at their hotel if they do not know their way around
or cannot speak the local language.
- Health
Certificate of immunization against cholera
or small pox is required according to the health
regulations, if a visitor is coming from an infected
area.
- Electricity
: 230 Volts AC
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