Tourist Information

Location
Myanmar shares a total of 5858 km of international borders with Bangladesh and India on the North-West, China on the North-East, Laos on the East and Thailand on the South-East. It has a total length of 2832 km of coastlines. The country stretches 2090 km from North to South and 925 km from East to West at its widest points. The official name is the Union of Myanmar.

Climate
Myanmar has a tropical climate with three general seasons, the rainy season, the cool season and the hot season. The rainy season is from mid-May to mid-October; the cool season from mid-October to mid-February to and the hot season from mid-February to mid-May before the rains begin. The best time to visit Myanmar is from mid-October to mid-May during open season.

Electricity
When you plan to bring some electronic devices, make sure that these work with our domestic power A.C 220 - 250V 50Hz.The Power Line is 440V.


Public Holidays (2008)
 

Date	Description
4 – January (Friday)	Independence Day
12 – February (Tuesday)	Union Day
21 – March (Sunday)	Full Moon Day of Tabaung
27 – March (Thursday)	Armed Forces Day
11 - to - 20 April (Fri - to - sun)	Thingyan Festival
1 - May (Thursday)	Labour Day
19 – May (Monday)	Full Moon Day of Kason
17 – July (Thursday)	Full Moon Day of Waso (or) Dhamma Sakya Day
19 – July (Saturday)	Martyr's Day
14 – October (Tuesday)	Full Moon Day of Thadingyut
12 – November (Wednesday)	Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone
25 – December (Tuesday)	Christmas Day

Duty-Free Shops
For visitors’ convenience, there are Duty-Free Shops in the airport arrival and departure lounges. Allowance is 2 Litres of liquor, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars and ˝ litre of perfumes.

Airport Departure Tax
Departure tax is US$ 10 per person. It is advisable to reconfirm International flights going out the country. The flights schedules may change due to weather conditions.

Customs
On Arrival
Foreigners and non-residents can bring into Myanmar any foreign currency not in excess of US$ 100 or its equivalent without making a declaration. All foreign currencies above permitted amount, jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the airport.

On Departure
Exports of antiques and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems, jewellery and silverware purchased at the authorized shops with appropriate receipts are allowed to be taken out. The following items are illegal to take out of the country:
• Prehistoric implements and artifacts
• Fossils
• Old coins
• Inscribed stones
• Historical documents 

Driving license
International Driving Permit required which must be presented to the authorities to endorse or issue a Visitor license.

Medical Treatment
If any tourist gets sick in spite of all the precautions, many hospitals can cater for foreigners medical needs.
Some are as follows :

Health & Insurance
Health officials require certification of immunization against cholera, and against yellow fever if you have arrived within nine days after leaving or transiting an affected area. Proof of smallpox vaccination is no longer required.

Tourist Centres
Tourist information is available at the Arrival Hall of Yangon International Airport.
Yangon Office        : at 77-91 Sule Pagoda Road (Tel: 95-1-252859)
Bagan Office          :  (Tel:95-62-70217)
Mandalay Office   : at Mandalay Swan Hotel (Tel: 95-2-22540)
Taunggyi Office    : at Taunggyi Hotel (Tel: 95-081-21611, 95-081-21302)

Currency
Myanmar currency is known as " Kyat " which comprises 100 pyas.
Notes :
Kyat 1000, Kyat 500, Kyat 200, Kyat 100, Kyat 90, Kyat 50, Kyat 45, Kyat 20, Kyat 15, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1.

Coins :
Kyat 100, Kyat 50, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1, Pya 50, Pya 25, Pya 10, Pya 5, Pya 1.
Visitors are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats. Visitors can change their dollars into FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate which is equal to US Dollars), and then can change their FEC legally into Kyat at the real market rate at licensed money changer shops.

Vaccination
Most traveller will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and polio, as well as medications for malaria prophylaxis and travelers’ diarrhea. Other immunizations may be necessary depending upon the circumstances of the trip and the medical history of the traveler. Insect repellents are recommended, in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites. All travelers should visit their personal physician 4-8 weeks before your trip. The sun can be remarkably hot and a hat and high-factor block cream is advisable.

What to Wear
Light, casual cotton wear because of hot weather
A cardigan or light jerkin, when visiting northern Myanmar in the cold season
An umbrella during the rainy season
Sandals or slippers
The dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe decent apparel, no footwear is allowed when visiting pagodas and monasteries.

What to Bring
Insect repellent
Sun block, sunglasses, hat, umbrella
Personal medical kit

Domestic Airline Offices