myanmar culture and tradition
Double rooms with a private bathroom are nearly always more than USD 20, in Yangon you get a double room without bathroom for USD 20. Public displays of affection such as prolonged kissing are shunned. Hopping across the Thai border into Myanmar's border towns is easy, but crossing into or out of Myanmar proper by land still varies by border (see below). Check for more up to date rates!). Seafood is more common along the coastline, while preserved meats are more common in inland areas. Myanmar Culture and Tradition – A Quick Guide. When changing money, be sure that, after any money is counted, it is not touched by anyone until the deal is sealed. They will not stop you. The MMK symbolisation is placed before the amount with no intervening space. In order to ensure you arrive back to your entry point you are being escorted by one of the officials and your passport is held by him until you get stamped. HIV is a major problem in Myanmar. Trains in lower Myanmar (Yangon - Pathein and Yangon - Mawlymaing) are little communities of their own with hawkers selling everything imaginable. The licenced guides at Schwedagon Paya in Yangon can arrange to have a driver with a car meet you at your hotel. You can get a visa from the Myanmar Consulate at 57K Ballygunge Circular Road in Kolkata. Myanmar is considered to have three seasons. An interesting book on the author's travel through Burma that uses Orwell's experience as a template. If you use the Lonely Planet 2011 guide book expect to multiply the listed prices by 3 or even 4 (November 2013). It is a custom for clinics to often list their doctors' qualifications under their names, and it will be made clear if a doctor has a foreign degree. Although, old-style USD 1 are still commonly traded. A general rule of thumb is that you can always find somebody who speaks English, but it might take a while, especially off the beaten track. with a branch heading off into the delta region town of Pathein. The price per ticket is 4500 Kyat (ordinary class)(August 2014). Food is inexpensive at most restaurants (costing from MYK500-3000 per item at most local restaurants, but can go as high as MYK8000 at posh restaurants), but there are upscale restaurants in Yangon and Mandalay for upmarket food. There is only one price and one service, which is the next day service. One of the best diving spots is located near Ngwe Saung Beach in Ayeyarwaddy Region. of over 100 countries (see #11 for the full list), https://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Myanmar&oldid=2676413, Pages linked to a data item for a disambiguation, Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% (mostly Hindu), 220V/50Hz (American and/or Central Europe plug). Important for Yangon: Yangon international airport serves all domestic flights from the new domestic terminal building. It provides a safe and comfortable environment for all travelers to indulge in a healthy and relaxing massage after a day's walk along the nearby streets of busy Chinatown. Myanmar as the golden land is famous for its rich cultures and traditions and the lovely cultures are renounced as the Asian heritage. This year, however, most troupes have seen bookings for their performances disappear because of restrictions to slow the … Great natural beauty combines with magnificent temple architecture. Onward travel into the country is possible from each of them, see the Thailand section below. The US dollar is the most preferred currency at currency exchanges, though you can readily also exchange euros in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle lake. Popular tourist destinations such as Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Inle Lake and Bagan are open to foreigners. There are a number of tricks and scams running around Myanmar trapping tourists who are carrying US dollars. Hygiene in Myanmar may seem terrible to the average Western traveler but it is possible to stay healthy with some basic precautions such as prophylactic medication, care choosing food and water, and antibacterial ointment. Ensure that the visa sticker, and arrival form have both been signed by the immigration officer before leaving the Embassy. Here are three vibrant genres of traditional Mexican music explained. Local pharmacies and supermarkets are plentiful, stocking all sorts of Western medicines, and there is no concept of a prescription. Though some are timid, many are hostile and almost all have some kind of infectious disease, a phenomena that owes itself to poor public sanitation. Those who want to see the making of the wooden sculpture can go to Aung Nan Handicraft Workshop. (For comparison, average private room rates across the country were USD 3-5 in 2006). This ceremony usually celebrates during the school holidays, mostly in summer holidays at March & April before the water festival. They will examine your passport further, make phone calls and have a consultation with each other what should they do in your unique situation. One very important note to all this is for women, who should not dress in revealing clothing in this fairly conservative culture. Like other former British colonies in Asia such as Singapore and Malaysia, Myanmar inherited the British common law and homosexual activity can be punished under the section 377 of the national Penal Code. Surprisingly, Burma has a mixture of both right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, with the majority being right-hand drive but driving is generally done on the right side of the roads. Copyright © 2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. A window near the front of the bus is always the best option. The private airline companies are usually on time, and even depart early (10-20min), so be on time. There is no real point in coming very early (before 15:30), because the Embassy is completely closed, so you will not be allowed to wait inside. The terms of this "Panglong Agreement" were enshrined in the 1947/1948 constitution of the new Union of Burma. Many Indian, Chinese, and Shan dishes are served throughout the country. It sounds extreme, but ending up in a country where you cannot access whatever savings you have, and having a good portion of your budget rendered useless (until you get to more relaxed changers in Bangkok) can really put a dampener on your plans. Kyat officially cannot be exchanged abroad, although money changers in places with large overseas Burmese populations such as Singapore will often exchange anyway. While dual-pricing is common in many countries for negotiated items, Myanmar is unfortunately taking it to another level by incorporating the practice into hotel literature and airline websites. Should they refuse to offer this option, walk out and make contact to the local police. Except at the top-end, some type of breakfast is always included in the price of the room. Actually, this is not the case and tracking back to Yangon for a bus ticket up north is not necessary at all. Singapore dollars can also be changed at some of the larger banks. Several years ago, there were isolated bombings: 26 April 2005 in Mandalay; 7 May, 21 October and 5 December 2005 in Yangon; 2 January 2006 in Bago. The 8 […] Even if you aren't punished, you might have to suffer some antagonism and a long, uncomfortable investigation at the local police station. Myanmar - Myanmar - Cultural life: Buddhism has been a part of Myanmar’s culture since the 1st century ce and has blended with non-Buddhist beliefs. Most airlines fly small planes, typically ATR-72. As in most developing countries, the railway system is not up to European or American standards, but, while the cars' motions may make the journey seem exceptionally dangerous (swaying back and forth while crossing a river has scared many Westerners), rail travel is a perfectly viable way to see the country. Burmese movies and music is almost always played all night throughout the journey, so bring ear plugs if you want to get sound sleep. Few even have toilet seats. Myanmar has some nice and beautiful isolated beaches, some are seasonal beaches (closed during the monsoon season). Just fill up the form, two photo, a photocopy of passport and return ticket and of course RM140. International mail out of Myanmar is reportedly quite efficient; it is oftentimes used by the government and the military. However, statues are arranged so that won't happen unless you get acrobatic about it. A tourist visa is valid for (3) months from the date of issue. occasionally, this should be construed as both pleasant and a compliment as opposed to a form of harassment. Yangon (ရန္ကုန္), Myanmar's largest city, is by far the most exciting place in the country to be right now, as former political exiles, Asian investors and foreign adventurers flock in. If you turn up at a temple in inappropriate dress, you can always rent a longyi for a pittance. Five years of primary education, beginning at age five, are compulsory; in some remote rural areas, however, formal schooling may not be available. Also it's worth emphasising that buses are *heavily* air-conditioned - they aim to maintain +18 celsius inside, and it might be quite uncomfortable to sleep. Displaying tattoos or other images (t-shirt) of religious figures may be considered disrespectful or even illegal. If you're prone to car sickness or don't enjoy long car rides, consider flying between places you might otherwise travel overland. Attach one extra photo (they supply paper clips as well) and the copy of the photo page from your passport. Traditions of Myanmar History. That being said with many of the more far flung places, and places restricted to foreigners it is better to arrange your internal visa in advance. The United States on Tuesday declared the military roundup of civilian leaders in Myanmar a coup, and said it would look for ways to impose more sanctions or other penalties on the country's military and officers. They will kindly ask you to follow to their office to get it sorted out. Attending these festivals will only add more colors to your Asian holiday, so make sure you tick off as many of these as possible! A normal SIM card usually comes with little to no credit, and needs to be "topped off". It is advisable to avoid kissing and engaging in other intimate acts in public. - Myanmar / Culture & Tradition - The Thadingyut Festival, also known as the Lighting Festival of Myanmar, is held on the full moon day of the Burmese lunar month of Thadingyut . It is formed of needlework to create a variety of pictures and patterns so delicate and detailed that it requires skill, artistry, and patience. As of Sep 2015, liberty has increased drastically with the gradual democratization of the country and the election coming next month. Alcohol. Nowadays the tapestry is widely used as ornaments such as wall hangings, marionette dolls, traditional and royal dresses worn on special occasions. Bus drivers are among the worst dangers, although this is somewhat less of an issue since 2010 due to new, very harsh penalties imposed on bus drivers involved in accidents. It is questionable whether the seemingly common practise for the immigration officials not to be very diligent about getting your passport stamped at some of the crossing points but certainly noticing its absence at a passport control point when you have made your way onward to the country is constituting an actual scam, maybe a sort of 'game' in which someone will always eventually fall for it would describe it better. You are free to walk around, go to shops and interact with the locals. This makes flying by far the most comfortable option for travelling long distances. Greetings. Some areas are also home to various ethnic Indian communities who continue to speak various Indian languages. Men are okay to touch monks' robes. Buddhism has a history of more than 2,500 years in Myanmar. There are also privately owned airlines serving the main domestic routes in Myanmar. Myanmar Culture & Tradition. While then opposition NLD party called for decriminalizing homosexuality before, it had not pushed forward the legislation to repeal the section 377 since it came to power in 2016. Milk tea is often served with samosas and other condiments which you will be charged for if you eat, and passed on to others if you do not eat them. It is generally more comfortable to simply reserve a seat. The youngest Arab woman to summit Mount Everest, Raha Moharrak will bring her sense of curiosity and expertise in adventure travel to Myanmar, a beautiful country brimming with ancient traditions and fascinating culture. There have been very few instances of a tourist being mugged and only the rare pilferage. Thanaka. As of July 2013, tourist Visa applications are completed in one day (perhaps more at busy times) and cost MYR110. There are a lot of nightclubs, including those attached to the five star hotels (eg Grand Plaza), and also local entertainment centres (eg JJs, Asia plaza). The music of Myanmar (or Burma) (Burmese: မြန်မာ့ဂီတ) shares many similarities with other musical styles in the region. The Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur issues 28-day tourist visas. They will process the visa on same day! Tap water in Myanmar is not safe to drink. Otherwise it's possible to fly between Mandalay and Kunming, if going to China there's a Chinese consulate that issues visas in Mandalay. Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrant cultural tradition. Street food can go as low as USD 0.30 for two small currys with two Indian breads, USD 1 for a normal (vegetarian) dish. It is useful to specify the 2+1 configuration when inquiring about these buses. Internet cafes exist in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan, but are getting rarer. This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Mandalay is slightly cooler in the cool season, with temperatures falling as low as 13°C, while temperatures in the hot season can go as high as 37°C. Myanmar is renowned for the Burmese people’s festive spirit, and each year, there are festivals that happen all across the country. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has made a special arrangement with Ministry of Foreign Affairs to allow the approval letter to be applied online. VIENTIANE In practice, this law is rarely if ever enforced, and it is unheard of for a foreigner to get into trouble with the authorities for neglecting this rule. It is written using the Burmese script, based on the Pallava Grantha script[[12]]. Despite recent developments, Myanmar is still a conservative country and visitors should keep that in mind. For foreigners, including men, wearing Tanaka is acceptable, and any souvenir shop would help you for free or for nominal fee if you want to try it. Beware of alcoholic drinks served in the far northern states. If you want an inside look at how the poorest citizens travel long-distance, pickup trucks are the way to go. Pharmacy clerks are familiar with chemical names and it will be helpful if you can say the name of the medicine you want, such as Paracetamol or Lomotil instead of just "painkiller" or "diarrhea pill". By far, the most common issue that tourists have with Myanmar's trains is the constant rocking and shaking. NO Visa on Arrival are valid on any land borders. Always inspect all notes when making a purchase and request that the vendor swap any notes you think you will have trouble using later (this is perfectly acceptable behaviour for both vendors and customers, so don't be shy). When praying or paying respects, it is important to ensure that the *soles* of your feet do not point towards the Buddha or anyone else. Major tourist hotels in Yangon and Mandalay can have near-uninterrupted electricity supply, but can cost anywhere from USD80 to USD300 per night. Firstly, you may meet very sloppy border control which will let you enter to the country without making any markings to your passport unless you are diligent finding the right place and making sure you get stamped correctly (see esp. Unlike most of the developing world, in Myanmar, there are ATMs in nearly every big town, especially in all the major tourist areas. There are three major mobile service providers: MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor. Other religions which exist in smaller numbers include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. You should have copies of your flight, hotel booking and they will ask you to fill out a form, paste a passport photo, write a letter explaining your intent, and Rs. 8) Luminous Journeys [11]. Hotels, with a few exceptions, are usually clean though, at the budget end, sheets and blankets may be threadbare and the rooms may be poorly ventilated. Luce, G.H. Accessing internet on the smartphone is more popular locally. This airline however has a number of convenient flights, such as late evening flight from Bagan to Mandalay, and is known to fly to nearly all destinations.