Myanmar

From the traveltalk.dk family – started in Denmark in 2018

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Myanmar (Burma)

This country has many names: Myanmar (formerly Burma); its official English name is the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

A large country

Myanmar shares its borders with India, Bangladesh, Laos, China and Thailand. Myanmar is about the size of France and England combined, making it one of the largest countries in South-East Asia. As the crow flies, the country stretches 2,000 km from the Tenasserim peninsula in the south (towards Thailand) to the Himalayas in the north, bordering China’s Yunnan province, Tibet and India.

The former Burma therefore lies right at the heart of South-East Asia, which also explains the strong interest shown by the British and other colonial powers, a significant part of the country’s history.

Discover the forgotten and beautiful country

It is no tourist cliché to say that Myanmar has many places and sights well worth visiting: Bagan and Mrauk U hold Buddhist ruins, temples and statues. The beautiful Inle Lake in the eastern hills is known for its various local tribes, the indigenous ethnic peoples, many of whom make their living fishing from large rowing boats.

Mt. Hkakabo Razi (5,881 metres)

Far to the north of Myanmar, where the Himalayas begin, lies Mt. Hkakabo Razi (5,881 metres), South-East Asia’s highest mountain, with rich flora and fauna. In contrast, the Mergui Archipelago consists of no fewer than 800 unspoilt islands! Myanmar has a long, unspoilt coastline with white sandy beaches such as Ngapali and Ngwesaung. If you are seeking traces of the royal period, visit Mandalay, which holds the finest artistic treasures. Yangon, on the other hand, has a greater number of buildings from the colonial era and the most beautiful gardens from that time. The so-called Central Dry Zone is a 960 km wide area where most of the population lives.

Myanmar in brief

Capital: Naypyidaw

Currency: Kyat

President: Htin Kyaw

Population: 53.9 million (2015)

Continent: Asia

Official language: Burmese

Fly with Singapore Airlines

Book a hotel in Myanmar

Money, language and safety

Myanmar is one of the cheaper countries in the region, but prices have been unstable due to economic developments. The kyat is the local currency, and it is useful to carry small notes, as many places cannot change large banknotes. Payment cards are only accepted at selected places, particularly the larger hotels and a few shops, so cash is therefore the safest option. Bring clean, undamaged US dollar or euro notes, and check which currencies you can exchange in the country.

The official language is Burmese, but English is spoken in tourist areas and by many people in the hotel and transport trades. Outside the larger cities, communication can be more difficult, and a simple phrasebook or translation app can help.

Political instability has marked the country since the military coup of 2021, and parts of Myanmar have been affected by armed conflicts. Several countries have issued travel advisories recommending against travel to certain areas, particularly in the northern and eastern border regions. Read the latest advice from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel, and keep up with the news during your stay. Avoid demonstrations, and be aware that internet and phone connections may be interrupted or restricted for periods of time.

Where to stay and what to eat

In Yangon and Mandalay you will find everything from large international hotels to small guesthouses. Bagan has a mix of boutique hotels and simple rooms close to the temples, while around Inle Lake there are typically guesthouses and small hotels by the water. On the coast, the choice ranges from simple bungalows to more established resorts. Do not assume that every place has a stable internet connection or reliable hot water.

Burmese cuisine is characterised by fresh greens, fish, lentils and curry. Mohinga, a clear fish soup with rice noodles, is often regarded as the national dish and is especially served in the morning. Laphet, fermented tea-leaf salad, is a distinctive taste experience that many travellers remember. Shan noodles are another classic, especially in eastern Myanmar, and are served with chicken or pork in a light broth.

Chicken curry, lentil soup and vegetables stir-fried with garlic and chilli are good choices if you want to try everyday home cooking. Street kitchens are often the best places to eat, but choose busy ones, as the food is then fresh.

Getting around the country

Flying is the quickest way to cover long distances. Between the larger cities, such as Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Heho near Inle Lake, there are domestic flights. Many routes operate only a few times a week, and cancellations and changed timetables do occur, so it is wise not to make a rigid plan that depends on a single flight.

Night trains are an experience in themselves. The trains are old and slow, and the journey often takes longer than you expect. Comfort levels vary considerably, and it may be a good idea to choose an air-conditioned compartment if one is available. Many travellers nonetheless feel that it is part of the charm.

Buses cover most routes and are often cheaper than flying. If you choose the bus, expect long journeys on uneven roads, and journey times can vary considerably with traffic. A trip from Yangon to Mandalay can take a whole night.

A hired car with driver is a practical solution in areas with few public connections. It is popular on the stretch between Bagan and Inle Lake. You should be prepared, however, for the roads to be poor in several places and for the drive to take a long time.

How to enter the country

Most travellers fly into Yangon, the country’s largest city and main airport. There are direct routes from several Asian metropolises, and several of them are occasionally from Bangkok and Singapore. It may be worth checking the routes in advance, as the choice changes.

For most nationalities, including Danish, a visa is required to enter Myanmar. An electronic visa scheme has been used in the past, but the rules have changed several times in recent years. Always check the current requirements with the official authorities, and read up on passport rules, which require a certain validity period and a blank visa page.

It is also possible to travel overland. There have been border crossings into Thailand, China and India, but access has changed with the political situation, and some borders have been closed to tourists. Always check the current status before planning an overland journey, and expect the route to change along the way.

When is the best time to travel?

Myanmar has three distinct seasons, and they do not all suit the same purpose. The cool, dry period from November to February is the most pleasant time in most parts of the country. Days are warm, but nights are fresh, and rain is almost absent.

From March through to April, temperatures climb sharply, and in the dry zones around Bagan it can become very hot in the middle of the day. Many travellers therefore avoid this period, unless they are after the traditional New Year festival in April, when water fights are held in the streets.

The monsoon arrives from June to October. Rain often falls as heavy showers in the afternoon, and some roads and paths in the mountains can be difficult to get through. On the plus side, the landscape is green and there are fewer visitors.

Bagan is best in the dry season, when you can see its many temples from a balloon or by bicycle without becoming exhausted. Inle Lake is likewise at its most beautiful in November and December, when mist hangs over the water in the early morning. The coastal areas of Ngapali and Ngwesaung have the best weather from November to April, while the lake and beaches during the monsoon can be unsettled and the weather changeable.