Novice on the terrace of Shwesandaw Paya.....Palm Climber.....Padaung Long-necked Lady

 

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FACTS ABOUT MYANMAR

About Myanmar
Special Events of Festivities
Myanmar Destinations
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Myanmar Flights
Frequently Asked Questions

 

TOUR PACKAGES

Home
Yangon & Environs
Experience of Mandalay
Glimpse of Bagan
Discovery of Southern Shan State
Great Explorer of Myanmar
Wonderful Experience of Myanmar

Myanmar Pristine Dive
Discovery of Ancient Rakhine
Yangon Optional
Mandalay Optional
Bagan Optional
Trekking Optional

Post Myanmar Tour
Thailand Options
::
Chiang Mai (2-D/1-N)
:: Bangkok (2-D/1-N)
:: Phuket (2-D/1-N) 
:: Pattaya (2-D/1-N)
Vietnam Options

:: Saigon Stopover (3-D/2-N)
:: Hanoi Stopover (3-D/2-N)
:: Hidden Charm of Vietnam (6-D/5-N)
Cambodia Options

:: Unveiled Angkor (3-D/2-N)
:: Legend of Angkor (4-D/3-N)
:: Phnom Penh- Siem Reap (7-D/6-N)
Laos Option

:: Timeless Laos (6-D/5-N)
Special Combined Program

 

 

MYANMAR ELITE PROFILE

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Terms & Conditions
Reservation
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MYANMAR ELITE TOURS
Bldg 218, Flat 4th Floor (mid), Bo Myat Tun Rd. Botahtaung Township, Yangon
Union of Myanmar


Tel:  +95 1 294 977
Fax:
+95 1 294 977
Mob: +95 9 516 4335  
 
Email to Myanmar Elite Tours    
URL: http://www.myanmarelitetours.com

Office Hours
Monday - Saturday
9:00am - 5:30pm

 

MYANMAR IN A NUTSHELL

 

... a beautiful, winking wonder that blazed in the sun, of a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple spire.....   described by Rudyard Kipling (circa 1898)

MYANMAR, formerly known as BURMA, is recognized by the world as THE GOLDEN LAND. It is enriched with significant cultural tradition, great natural beauty and an amazingly eventful history more than 2,500 years of Buddhist civilization.
 
 

OFFICIAL NAME & LOCATION:

Myanmar, also called Burma, or officially UNION OF MYANMAR, is a country lying along the eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea in south-east Asia. To be more accurate, Myanmar lies between Latitudes 4’31’ and 28’31’ North and Longitudes 92’10’ and 101’11’ East.

AREA:    

The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometers (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south. It is a land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyaewaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated.

FRONTIER LINE:  

The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometers. The total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometers (1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometers (1,309.8 miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometers (831.8 miles); Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometers (147.9 miles) and Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometers (168.7 miles).

COASTLINE:

Myanmar's coastline extends 2832km from the mouth of Naff River in the west to the southern tip of Taninthary Division near Ranong, Thailand. Further south, over 800 continental islands dot the littoral sea, forming a mostly uninhabited island group called the Myeik Archipelago.

CLIMATE:   

The location and topography of the country generate the "dry and wet monsoon climate" pattern. Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create

Summer months - February through mid-May;

Rainy period - from mid-May through late October and

Winter seasons - November through January. Daily extremes of temperature are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring rain, and although it is always heavy in the coastal areas during monsoon season, it seldom creates hardships. The favorite months to travel are October through January when the days are not so hot, averaging in 32 Celsius and nights are in 20 Celsius.

 

RELIGION:

While the majority of Myanmar, around 87 per cent, practice Theravada Buddhism, there are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists. However, there is complete freedom in religion among Buddhists or non-Buddhists in Myanmar. An appreciation of Buddhism may probably help foreigners who want better understanding of the Myanmar temperament. 

POPULATION & PEOPLE:

As of 2005 the population is estimated to be about 54.3 million according to the census made on world population day on July 15 2005. Though ethnologists have identified 135 different ethno linguistic groups, the eight major races are Bamar, Shan, Mon, Kachin, Kayin, kayah, Chin and Rakhine. There are still a good number of Indian and Chinese people.   

HABITAT:

Myanmar is endowed with a rich diversity of habitat types arising largely from its unusual ecological diversity. It is home to 135 different ethnic groups including 8 major races, nearly 300 known mammal species, 300 reptiles and about 100 birds species, and a haven for about 7,000 species of plant life. Myanmar has abundant and varied flora and fauna. You will be enthralled by the history and culture of this beautiful country.

THE LAND OF HUMAN ORIGIN:

MYANMAR is one of the earliest homes of mankind, probably the land of human origin or the cradle of humanity. Teeth and bits of jaw from a tiny, squirrel-sized animal that lived 40 MILLION YEARS ago in what is now Myanmar (Burma) suggest primates originated in Asia, not Africa as was believed, researchers said. A team of researchers from France, Japan, and Myanmar say the little animal, which they have named BAHINIA PONDAUNGENSIS, was probably the ancestor of modern apes, monkeys and humans. Jean-Jacques Jaeger of the University Montpellier-II in France and colleagues found the fossils in a layer of red clay, along with a complete lower jaw from a more advanced primate called Amphipithecus. 

 

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HOW TO GET IN:
 
UNQUESTIONABLY, the best way to enter into Myanmar is by air to Yangon. Chiang Mai to Mandalay is also possible by Myanmar Airline (Air Mandalay) once or twice a week, depending on low/high tourist season.

Land Crossings: FROM Ranong (Thailand) to Kawthaung (Myanmar) or Mae Sai (Thailand) to Tachilek (Myanmar) or Ruili (China) to Mu Se (Myanmar) is apparently legal. But you will need a prior arrangement for your visa to fly to Yangon and maybe Mandalay. However the possibility of land crossings can be changed from time to time and it is always best to check with embassy first before you plan to enter into Myanmar.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:

YANGON has direct air-links with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Jakarta, Dhakka, Calcutta, Kunming, Doha, Paro (Bhutan), Taipei, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Vientiane. 14 International Airlines including Myanmar Airways International operate scheduled flights in and out of Yangon, but some don't. Some are Thai Airways International, Silk Air, Biman (Bangladesh), Air China, Phuket Airlines, Silk Air, Malaysian Airlines, Druk Air, Austrian Airlines, Indian Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, . Myanmar Airways International operates six flights a week to Bangkok, thrice-weekly to Singapore and twice-weekly to Hong Kong.
 

Airline Code Routes Inbound Outbound
Air China CA Kunming - Yangon Wed/Sun same
  MU Kunming - Mandalay Mon/Wed/Fri same
Air Mandalay 6T Chiang Mai - Yangon Sun same
    Chiang Mai - Mandalay Thursday  
Bangkok Airways PG Bangkok - Yangon Daily same
Biman (Bangladesh) BG Dhakka - Yangon - Bangkok Wed/Sun same
Druk Air (Bhutan) KB Paro-Calcutta-Yangon-Bangkok Mon/Thu Tue/Fri
Indian Airlines IC Calcutta - Yangon Mon/Thu same
Lauda Air OS Milan - Yangon - Phuket    
    Vienna - Yangon - Phuket    
Malaysia Airlines MH Kuala Lumpur - Yangon Tue/Fri same
Mandarin Airlines AE Taipei - Yangon Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat same
Myanmar Airways Intl' 8M Hong Kong - Yangon Mon/Fri same
Delhi - Yangon Tue/Thu/Sat Mon/Wed/Fri
Kuala Lumpur - Yangon Thu/Sun same
Singapore - Yangon Mon/Wed/Fri same
Bangkok - Yangon Daily. 2 on Tue/Thu/Sat same
Phuket Airlines 9R Bangkok - Yangon Mon/Wed/Fri  
Silk Air MI Singapore - Yangon Daily. 2 on Wed/Sat same
Thai Airways TG Bangkok - Yangon 2 daily same

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AIRLINE OFFICES IN YANGON (Rangoon)

Intl' Carrier Destination
Air China (CA): No.B 13/23, Shew Kainayei Housing, Narnattaw Road, Quarter N0.7, Kamayut Township

Kunming

Air Mandalay (6T): 146, Dhamazedi Rd, Bahan Township

Chiang Mai

Austrian Airlines (Lauda) (OS): La Pyayt Wun Plaza Suite 808 37 Signal Pagoda Rd. Dagon Township Vienna
Bangkok Airways (PG): 0305, 3rd Floor, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Township Bangkok
Biman Bangladesh (BG): 106/108, Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Township Dhaka, Bangkok
Druk Airlines (KB): 52, Phyapon Street, Sanchaung Township Bangkok, Dhaka, Paro, Calcutta
Indian Airlines Limited (IC): 127, Sule Pagoda Rd, Kyauktada Township Calcutta, Bangkok
Malaysia Airlines (MH): 335/357, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Pabedan Township

Kuala Lumpur

Mandarin Airlines (AE): 353/355, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township Taipei
Myanmar Airways International (8M): #08-02, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Township Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Delhi
Phuket Airlines (9R): 1168/71, 25th - A Fl, Lumpini Tower, Sathorn, Rama IV Rd, Thungmahamek, Bangkok Bangkok
Silk Air (MI): #0202, 2nd Fl, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Township Singapore
Thai Airways International (TG): #1101, Ground Fl, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Township Bangkok, Chiang Mai

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS:

 Air Mandalay (6T): #146, Dhamazedi Rd, Bahan Township Tel: (Head Office) 501 520, 525 488 (Airport) 720 309, 652 753~54  Nyaung U, Mandalay, Heho, Thandwe, Sittway, Tachileik, Kyaing Tong
 Yangon Airways (HK): #166, level 5, MMB Tower, Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp. Tel: 383 106, 383 107 Nyaung U, Mandalay, Heho, Tachileik, Kyaing Tong, Sittway, Thandwe, Kyauk Phyu, Myitkyina, Kaw Thaung, Myeik, Dawei
 Air Bagan (W9): #56, Shwe Taung Gyar St, Bahan Township. Tel: (Head Office) 513 322, 513 422, 513 266 (Airport) 653 343, 653 347 Nyaung U, Mandalay, Heho, Kyaing Tong, Tachileik, Pathein, Myeik, Myitkyina, Putao, Dawei, Kaw Thaung, Kalay, Monywa, Sittway, Thandwe
 Myanmar Airways: #104, Strand Rd, Kyauktada Township. Tel: (Head Office) 274 874, 277 013, 273 828 (Airport) 662 692 Nyaung U, Mandalay, Lashio, Kyaing Tong, Tachileik, Myitkyina, Putao, Myeik, Dawei, Kaw Thaung, Sittway

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ELECTRICITY:

Myanmar uses 220V, which can occasionally be up to 300V and drop to 100V when it is on. The short power cut is not uncommon even in capital Yangon. March through May the electric power is supplied in rotating system from quarter to quarter in and around Yangon. Most of the popular tourist destinations still have rationing. However all the major hotels have their own generator.

TELEPHONE INFO:

                       Country Code: 95.

Yangon Area Code: 1 follow the 6 digit no
Mandalay Area Code: 2 follow the 5 digit no
Bagan Area Code: 61 follow the 5 digit no 
Inle Area Code: 81 follow the 5 digit no

OVERSEAS CALL:

Available at hotels roadside telephone booths or shops.

INTERNET/EMAIL AVAILABILITY:

Myanmar Post & Telecommunication Department and Bagan Cybertech provides internet and email services using their proxy servers. There are now many places with computers for surfing and emailing in Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan in addition to the major hotels in popular tourist destinations. However, some web sites cannot be viewed and some web-based mails (yahoo, hotmail etc.) cannot be logged on or email client programs like Outlook Express, Eudora etc. cannot be used.

TIME:

Myanmar Time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+6:30)

BUSINESS HOURS:

Government Offices: 09:30 to 16:30 hrs
BANKS: 10:00 to 14:00 hrs
Companies: 09:00 to 17:00 hrs

CURRENCY:

Myanmar currency is Kyat. (Pronounced as chat) 
Notes: Kyat 1000, Kyat 500, Kyat 200, Kyat 100, Kyat 50, Kyat 20, Kyat 15, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1.
Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC): 20 units, 10 units, 5 units, 1 unit.

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MEDIA:

Radio Myanmar - Radio Myanmar is on air in English from 08:30 to 09:00 hrs in the morning, 13:30 to 14:00 hrs in the afternoon and 21:00 to 22:00 hrs in the evening.

TV Myanmar - TV programs start from 07:00 to 10:00 hrs in the morning and again 16:00 hrs to midnight and satellite News can be watched at 18:00 and around 21:00 hrs in the evening. On every weekends, TV Myanmar extend its programs also in noon starts from 11:00 to 15:00 hrs.

Myawaddy TV - This TV station transmits in the morning from 07:00 hours to 8:30 hrs and in the evening from 16:00 hours to midnight. Like TV Myanmar, it also transmits noon program from 11:00 to 14:00 on weekends.

NEWSPAPERS -  The New Light of Myanmar is the only newspaper in English. Two local newspapers in Myanamr are -- "Myanmar Alin" (The New Light of Myanmar) and "Kyemon" (The Mirror).

NAME CHANGES:

In post 1989, all the colonial names given to country, people, towns, rivers, streets etc. are renamed phonetically closer to Myanmar pronunciation. Here's to name some:

(Old) Colonial Name (New) Myanmar Name (Old) Colonial Name (New) Myanmar Name
Burma/Burmese (Country/People) Myanmar Pagan (Town) Bagan
Arakan (People/State) Rakhine Pegu (Town) Bago
Karen (People/State) Kayin Prome (Town) Pyay or Pyi
Akyab (Town) Sittway or Sittwe Rangoon (Town) Yangon
Allan (Town) Aung Lan Sandoway (Town) Thandwe
Amherst (Beach) Kyaikkami Syriam (Town) Thanlyin
Ava (Town) Inwa Tavoy (Town) Dawei
Bassein (Town) Pathein Tenasserim (Town/Division) Tanintharyi
Fort Hertz (Town) Putao Irrawaddy (River) Ayeyarwady
Henzada (Town) Hintada Salween (River) Thanlwin
Hsipaw (Town) Thibaw Sittang (River) Sitthaung
Kentung (Town) Kyaing Tong Fraser (Road) Anawrahta Lan
Martaban (Town) Mottama Godwin (Road) Myoma Kyaung Lan
Maymyo (Town) Pyin Oo Lwin Merchant (Road) Khonthe Lan
Mergui (Town) Myeik Strand (Road) Kannar Lan
Moulmein (Town) Mawlamyaing or Mawlamyine Lewis (Street) Seik Kan Thar Lan
Myohaung (Town) Mrauk U Scott (Market) Bogyoke Zei

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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL EVENTS OF FESTIVITIES (2008)

Public (Gazette) Holidays

Date

Name

Significance

January 4