Myanmar Travel Guide

One might wonder to know that 45 million people speak 111 languages in Myanmar. Majority of Myanmars speak Myanmar language.

Business Hours

• Government Offices 09:30 to 16:30 hrs. - Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
• Banks 10:30 to 14:00 hrs. - Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
• Shops 10:00 to 21:00 hrs. - Mon. through Sat, some open on Sunday too

Medical Tratment

If any tourist gets sick in spite of all the precautions, many hospitals can cater for foreigners medical needs. Some are as follows :

• SOS Assistance
  Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
  Tel : (95-1) 667877, 667879
• Kandawgyi Clinic
  Natmauk Road
  Tel : (95-1) 530083
• Pacific Medical Centre & Dental Surgery
  81, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
  Tel : (95-1) 548022

What to Eat?

Mohingar (Fish soup & vermicelli)

Mohingar is typically synonymous with Myanmar as is pizza to Italy, hot-dog to USA, tea to the British, sukiyaki to the Japanese, pau to the Chinese and chapati to the Indians.

Ohnno Kaukswe (Coconut Noodle)

It is another interesting Myanmar food. Most of the Monhingar shops also sell Ohnno Kaukswe. It is a mixture of coconut and chicken cooked together, then served with noodles. Then we sprinkle some onion, chilli powder, lemon juice and is ready to eat.

Akyaw (A variety of fried vegetable)

Another common snacks for the local Myanmar people. It is usually sold in the early morning and in the evening and can be easily found on the street. It is a variety of fried vegetables. First, the vegetables are cleaned, then pasted with rice mixture. Then fried. These snacks are a bit greasy but very delicious with different kind of tastes. It is a vegetarian food.

Shan Soaked Noodle

Shan noodle is a common food from the Shan State, the northern part of Myanmar. The Shan Noodle is made of sticky rice mixture. Pork curry or Chicken curry is cooked with Shan essence, then poured onto the Shan Noodle. It can be in the form of a soup or in the form of a mixture. Although it is a typical Shan food, it is popular among all the locals, especially in Yangon and Mandalay.

Laphet (or) Pickled Tea Leaves

Laphet is a Myanmar traditional food. Usually served at different ceremonies. From the Shan State, the tea leaves are picked and preserved with oil and salt until a certain time. When its ready to serve, pickled tea leaves are served together with akyaw or dried fried beans.

Festival in Myanmar 

The Myanmar calendar subscribes to both the solar and lunar months, thus requiring an intercalary 30-day 13th month every second or third year. Therefore, the full moon days may change from one month to another in the usual calendar. The Myanmar months and the respective festivals are as follows.  

January (Nadaw/Pyartho)

• Kachin Manao Festival (Kachin)
• Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
• Naga New Year (Sagaing)

February (Pyartho/Dabodwei)

• Full Moon Day of Dabodwei (Countrywide)
• Htamane Festival (Countrywide)
• Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay)
• Salone Festival (Tanintharyi Division)

March (Dabodwei/Tabaung)

• Shwe Dagon Pagoda (Yangon)
• Kakku Pagoda Festival (Inle)
• Full Moon Day of Tabaung (Countrywide)
• Shwe Umin Pagoda Festival (Shan State)

April (Tabaung/Tagu)

• Mann Shwesettaw Festival
• Thingyan Water Festival (Countrywide)
• Thanakha Grinding Festival (Rakhine)
• Full Moon Day of Tagu (Countrywide)
• Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda Festival (Bago)
• Myanmar New Year Festival (Countrywide)

May (Tagu/Kason)

• Full Moon Day of Kason (or) Bo Tree Watering Festival (Countrywide)

June (Kason/Nayon)

• Pariyatti Sasana Examination

July (Nayon/Waso)

• Full Moon Day of Waso

August (Waso/ Wakhaung)

• Taungpyone Festival

September (Wakhaung/Tawthalin)

• Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival (Shan State)
• Manuha Pagoda Festival (Mandalay Division)

October (Tawthalin/Tadingyut)

• Full Moon Day of Thadingyut (Countrywide)
• Dancing Elephant Festival (Kyaukse)
• Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival (Mon State)

November (Tadingyut/Tazaunmone)

• Matho Thingan (Yangon)
• Kahtein Thingan Offering (Country wide)
• Hot-air balloon Festival (Shan State)
• Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone

December (Tazaunmone/Nadaw)

• Kayin New Year Festival

Dos and Donts in Myanmar

Typical Character

• Friendly, helpful, honest, but proud.
• Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected.

Speaking

• When addressing people, don't leave out U (which stands for Mr) or Daw (which stands for Ms/Mrs).
• Speak slowly and clearly.

Manners

• Not always necessary to shake hands.
• Don't hug or kiss in public.
• Don't touch any adult on the head.
• Don't step over any part of a person, as it is considered rude.
• Accept or give things with your right hand.
• In Myanmar, unlike the Indian continent, nodding means YES, and shaking head means NO.

Eating

• For hygiene reasons, eat only in decent restaurants. When not available, always eat heated food.
• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Don't drink tap water.
• Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven't been opened yet.
• Let the oldest be served first.
• Chinese food is common and suggested.
• Myanmar food are often complained as 'oily'.
• To try good Myanmar food, go to decent restaurants in Yangon area, where they cook Myanmar food according to international standards.

Shopping

• When buying gems, sculptures, or any expensive souvenir, make sure it comes with an export permit.
• Buy arts from authorized dealers only and get a certified receipt.

Safety

• Don't leave expensive items in your room. Use safe deposit box.
• Beware of cheats, swindlers, imposters.

Health

• Stay away from narcotic drugs.
• Carry some medicines for diarrhea.
• If sick, don't worry. All doctors are English literate.
• Health insurance is not available.

Traveling

• Accept that facilities may not be the best.
• On trains, keep windows shut.
• Speed or distance descriptions are in miles, not kilometers.
• Carry toilet paper in your bag.

Visiting

• Most Myanmar do not wear shoes in their homes. Take off when visiting.

Moving About

• Don't jay walk. Watch where you walk and what you step on.
• If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on the right side.

Religion

• At religious places, remove footwear, but to remove headwear is not necessary.
• Avoid shouting or laughing.
• Avoid being a nuisance when taking photographs.
• Treat Buddha images with respect.
• Tuck away your feet. Don't point it toward the pagoda or a monk.
• Don't play loud music in these areas. Note that Buddhist monks are not allowed to listen to music.
• Do not put Buddha statues or images on the floor or somewhere inappropriate.
• Don't touch sacred objects with disrespect. Hold them in your right-hand, or with both hands.
•  Leave a donation when possible.
• Show respect to monks, nuns, and novices (even if they are children).
• Don't offer your hand to shake hands with a monk.
• Sit lower than a monk and elders.
• Don't offer food to a monk, nun, or a novice after noon time.
• A woman should not touch a monk.