Travel to Asia

20. Religion

The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced.

21. Telecommunications

Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon and Mandalay.

22. Travellers Cheques

Travellers Cheques may be very time consuming to transact. You must bring the original purchase agreement for the traveller’s cheques with you as proof when cashing your cheques.

23. Visa Requirements

All visitors (above 7 years age) require visa to enter Myanmar at Yangon or Mandalay airport. Visa can be obtained at a Myanmar embassy. FIT visa (entry tourist visa as officially called) holders, except children younger than 12 years, need to exchange 200 US$ into 200 FEC money on arrival. Package tour visa (entry visa as officially called) holders do not need to exchange money. Package tour visas required confirmed tour booking with a local tour operator (local tour operator need to send the letter).

For the tourists who enter and exist at a land border checkpoint the entry visa (border pass) is issued at the checkpoint. Tourists need to exchange US$ 100 (or more) into FEC money. The amount depends on number of days stay, the places of visit.

Entry at an airport and exist at a land border checkpoint (or vice visa) need special permit (plus, maybe, package tour visa). Entry at a land border checkpoint and exist at another land border checkpoint also need such permit. There are some areas in the country going to where need compulsory use of local guide.

24. Travel Inside The Country

There are improvements in the roads and bridges, as well as the domestic flights over the past 10 years. However they are far from perfect. It is hard to predict how many hours it will take between two cities at any time. Road damage and repair works taking place that hinder the speed of driving are not uncommon. Bridges may be officially finished, but they may not be ready to actually open to the traffic. There may be announcement of passenger ships running between Yangon and the southern Thaninthayi ports of Dawei, Myeik, Kaw Thaung, etc.; but in fact they could not actually provide you a tentative schedule.

There are three domestic carriers: Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Myanmar Airways. Most foreign travellers would fly only the first two. They are safe and offer good in-flight services. They usually publish flight schedule which they could follow less than 100%. Besides they do not have on-line connected booking system. Booking is almost entirely done by telephone calls to the sales agents who in turn call again to the airlines.

Train and bus time tables should be asked when you physically arrive there. They tend to change without prior notice. Going to many far away places need special permit that makes the travel expensive.

Anyway compared to the past, the present travel situation in Myanmar has been improved allot. The inconveniences and the subsequent low volume of tourist arrival make the country one of the most wanted destinations for ones who wants to see the really traditional Asia.