Banks: 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:30 to 18:00, daily
Anyone travelling to Myanmar should be aware that the military government has a poor human rights record. As a great deal of tourism infrastructure is sponsored by the regime, package tourism directly patronises the government.
Illegal drugs, specifically opium, are trafficked heavily along the border with Thailand. While this region is mostly off-limits to tourists, with the exception of a border-crossing area, visitors should be careful to avoid outlying areas.
Violent crime against tourists is virtually non-existent and even pick-pocketing and other forms of petty theft are practically unheard of. All the same, it is wise to keep an eye on your valuables and refrain from flashing large amounts of cash in public areas.
Locals are expected to keep quiet on political topics. While it is likely that you’ll encounter someone who would like to share their viewpoint, pushing the topic could put that person in peril. As a measure of discretion, it is best to let locals lead any discussions of this nature.
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 hertz
Quality healthcare is difficult to come by in Myanmar. Visitors are advised that public hospitals provide a very low standard of service, and anyone in need of serious medical attention should consider transferring to Bangkok, Thailand, where medical infrastructure is state-of-the-art.
If there’s no time for a transfer, there is an international privately-run clinic in Yangon (International SOS Clinic) which offers the best healthcare in the country and has an emergency room open 24 hours. If the illness isn’t serious, local pharmacies are often manned by someone well-versed in English who can offer assistance.
Tap water in Myanmar is not safe to drink. Purchasing bottled water with an intact seal from a reputable store is the safest policy. The purity of ice is difficult to gauge, so you may wish to avoid it.
It is advisable to check in with your healthcare provider regarding vaccinations before setting out for Shan State. There are no immunisations required for entry into the country, though it is in travellers’ best interest to make sure hepatitis, tetanus and typhoid vaccines are up to date.
As much of Shan State is relatively rural, mosquitoes can be a persistent nuisance. Wearing long pants and long sleeves combined with the use of an insect repellent is your best line of defence against mosquito-borne illness. You also may wish to consider an anti-malarial regiment if you plan on trekking in the backcountry.
The official language of Myanmar is Burmese. However, within Shan State there is a wide variety of dialects and different languages spoken. Those involved in tourism typically speak varying degrees of English. It is important to hire a competent guide for treks or other extended outings. When trekking through various villages, you’ll want a guide who is well versed in the numerous languages you’ll encounter.
The official currency of Myanmar is the kyat, though US dollars and euros are often accepted (at times even insisted upon) by hotels, ferries, museums and travel agents. Thai baht is only taken in border-crossing areas. Banknotes are issued in K1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 45, 50, 90, 100, 200, 500 and K1,000.
Cash is a crucial commodity in Shan State. You’ll want to carry kyat for small purchases such as snacks, goods from street vendors, and bicycle hire while reserving US dollars and euros for more expensive transactions. There are no ATMs in Myanmar, making cash management crucial.
Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) were previously required for all tourist transactions, though the government has since lifted this restriction. In the event that you come across one of these notes, its value is pegged to the US dollar and many venues still accept FECs. As a rule, credit cards are not accepted. The only exception is a handful of top-end hotels.
Exchanging foreign currency can be tricky. It’s most convenient to do all of your banking in Yangon, though it is best to avoid government-run banks. Exchange rates are widely variable, and the best rates are usually those offers at hotel front desks or travel agents. Make a point to check the most recent exchange rates so that you know what rate is considered reasonable.
Customs officials in Myanmar are, for the most part, very friendly and easy-going. Restrictions are relatively lax, with only a few stipulations. Visitors are expected to leave all antiques in the country. Aside from the usual prohibited items such as firearms, electronic devices aren’t particularly well-received.
Everyone entering the country of Myanmar must fill out a customs declaration form. Anything that could flag you as a journalist (mobile phone, laptop, or radio) may get you some negative attention. It’s important to be forthright about these items. Cash exceeding US$2,000 must be declared.
When visiting a religious site or temple, visitors are expected to dress modestly. Wear long pants and sleeves and avoid tight-fitting clothing. Visitors are also expected to remove their shoes before setting foot on temple grounds. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove your shoes well before you enter the actual temple, for example, before climbing the steps that lead to a pagoda.
If you spend much time using public transportation, you’ll most likely find yourself in a public transport pickup truck at some point. While men sometimes ride on top of these trucks, it’s considered very rude for women to do so.
In Myanmar, the head is the most sacred part of the body. Correspondingly, feet are opposite in the spectrum. Touching a person’s head is considered rude and using feet to point or touch something is also offensive. Be careful not to step directly over another person. When handing something to a local, try to use your right hand with your left hand tucked behind the crook of the right elbow.
While tipping is not a well-established practice, a modest round-up is always appreciated.
Dining Etiquette
Burmese food is typically served with rice and usually consists of a curry, a soup and pickled vegetable of some sort. Burmese restaurants don’t usually serve beef and pork. Instead, traditional dishes usually feature fresh seafood, mutton or chicken.
Burmese food is not particularly spicy. Instead of adding a lot of chillies, cooks tend to work with spices that hint at Indian influence. Turmeric, tamarind, onions, ginger and garlic are heavily used. For those who prefer food with more heat, chilli paste of some sort is usually available on the table.
If you find that you don’t have an appreciation for Burmese cuisine, don’t despair. Shan State has plenty of Chinese and Indian restaurants that can add some variety to your dining schedule.
Since visa requirements can be fairly fluid, it is a good idea to check in with your closest Myanmar embassy before finalising travel arrangements.
Tourist visas are issued for 28 days, and all western tourists must arrange a visa before arrival. Most citizens of Asian nations are granted a visa upon entry. Other than tourist visas, there are a few other classes of visa that may apply to western travellers including business and meditation visas.
It’s often convenient for travellers to arrange a visa to Myanmar while staying in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Thailand. Travel agencies in both of these cities can work with the local embassy to arrange a visa fairly quickly. Many times, visa requests are rejected if the applicant specifies they are a journalist or photographer as their occupation.
The headquarters for Myanmar Travel and Tours (MTT) is in Yangon, with a satellite office at Inle Lake. As this is a government-run organisation and information available at MTT offices is skewed toward promoting government hotels and tours. Website: www.myanmars.net/mtt.
Paradise Inle resort was a lovely place to stay. The bungalow was spacious and the staff were excellent. It was also located in a very beautiful part of Inle Lake. The only downside was that it was an...
