Welcome to Myanmar

You’ll find yourself delighted and smitten with Myanmar, a Buddhist land of sacred stupas, traditional villages and nature adventures. Among the top attractions: the Shwedagon Paya, the 4,000 stupas of Bagan and the Golden rock at Mt. Kyaiktiyo.

Ride through the city streets in a trishaw, stopping by one of the thousands of teahouses that celebrate this British colonial custom. With one foot firmly in the 21st century, Myanmar retains its simplistic appeal. Sail down the Ayeyarwady river one day, hike through the forest to meet a minority village in the Shan Hills the next, all the while making connections you never thought possible.

Unique Facts

• Notice the one-legged angling style of the Burmese fishermen. They use one leg to row their boat so they can use both hands to hold their fishing nets. Check it out at Inle Lake in the Taunggyi District.
• Speaking of Inle Lake, there are endemic species here not found anywhere else, including 20 snail species and 9 fish species.
• Ancient Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it served as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom of Myanmar from the 9th to 13th centuries.
• Myanmar is one of the world’s top quality producers of jadeite. Most of it is uncut and used for jewelry and other high-quality products.

Language

Myanmar’s official language is Burmese.

When To Go

The best time to go to Burma is November to February.

Airports

Vientiane International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccine for all travelers when visiting Myanmar: Measles, Polio and routine vaccinations. Most travelers should receive Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. Some travelers should receive the Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C, D, F and G. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Myanmar Kyat

Getting Around

The roads in Rangoon are generally in poor condition and are heavily congested with cars, bicycles, animals and pedestrians. Most roads outside Rangoon have one or two lanes and are often unpaved and unlit. Avoid driving at night.

Many of the larger cities offer city buses, motorcycle taxis, trishaws, horse and ox carts, taxis, tuk-tuks, small four-wheeled taxis and modern pick-up trucks. In smaller towns, expect more motorcycle taxis and trishaws.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license and international driving permit are required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Rangoon
110 University Ave
Kamayut Township,
Rangoon, Burma
Telephone: (95) 1-753-6-509
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (95) 1-753-6-509
Fax: (951)-751-2124
ACSRangoon@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Ministry of Tourism
Office Building No 33
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism
Nay Pyi Taw
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Tel: +95673406458/+95673406247/+95 673 406 129

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 192
Police: 199
Fire: 191

Safety and Security

The crime rate is relatively low in Myanmar as compared to other countries in the region. Crimes typically involve home burglaries and petty crime.