Baron Travels & Tours from Myanmar (formerly Burma)

Myanmar, formerly Burma, lies in mainland South East Asia, flanked by two great civilizations of the world, China and India. It has borders with Thailand, Laos, China and India. In the south is the Andaman Sea.

With a total land area of 676577 sq km and a population of about 53 million, Myanmar is twice the size of Vietnam and about the size of the United Kingdom and France combined. The Ayeyarwady River flows from north to south, dividing the land area, with the Shan Plateau and the Chin Hills on either side of it. The valley of the Ayeyarwady is very fertile. It plays a very important role in the historical, cultural and economic development of the country. Mt. Khakaborazi, 5889 metres high, is near the border of India. Myanmar's coastline is 2832 km long, and Ngapali Beach is a world-class beach resort, famous for sun, sea and sand. Myanmar is endowed with natural resources of timber, gems, oil, natural gas and mineral deposits. The metropolis Yangon is the gateway to Myanmar.

Myanmar is blessed by nature with vast, green forests, un-spoilt and pristine beaches and a variety of natural resources. Dotted with scenic landscapes and glittering pagodas, Myanmar is a real paradise for tourists. Myanmar is dubbed as the Golden Land not only because of the wealth of natural resources and golden pagodas, but also of the hospitality, generosity, cordiality, warmth and smiles of Myanmar people.

The People

Myanmar (Burma) has about 135 ethnic groups, the major ones being the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar (Burmese), Mon, Rakhine and Shan.

Most of the people live in the central region, comprising the Mandalay Division, the Magway Division, and the lower Sagaing Division, and the rest live in the lower Ayeyarwady Delta and the Sittaung Valley. The Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan mainly live in the States named after them. In these hilly regions, it is cool in the mornings and evenings the whole year.

More than 89% of the people are Buddhists, who comprise mainly the Myanmar, Mon, Shan, Kayin and Rakhine. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also followed. The Chin and Kachin have been converted to Christianity. Mainly Indians embrace Islam and Hinduism.

The Culture

Myanmar culture had come into existence many centuries before Bagan, which was established in the 11th Century. Hence, the culture of Bagan and Myanmar culture are synonymous. The study of Bagan culture means that of Myanmar culture. Buddhism was initiated in Bagan through the endeavours of King Anawarahta. Therefore, Bagan is the ideal place for study of Myanmar archaeology, Buddhism and culture.

Myanmar culture is unique and is made of religion, literature, fine arts, painting, woodcarving, architecture, astrology and astronomy, of among other things, which are unique in the world. A tourist should not miss the golden chance of exploring Myanmar culture during their short visit here.

The Annals of History

Myanmar has long and exciting annals of history. She has lost and regained her independence and sovereignty three times. Apart from some skirmishes among the feudal lords, Myanmar people have been living together, in weal and woe, sharing joys and sorrows, from time immemorial up to the present day.

Unfortunately, the British annexed the whole of Myanmar in the year 1885 and ruled over for about seventy years. The Japanese ruled over Myanmar for three years, from 1942 to 1945. However, the entire mass of Myanmar people joined hands, resisted and drove them out successfully and won their long-lost independence and sovereignty on the 4th of January 1948 through Nu-Atlee Agreement.

The Climate

Myanmar enjoys monsoon or tropical climate with three distinct seasons - the summer, from mid-February to mid-May, the rainy season, from mid-May to mid-October and winter, from mid-October to mid-February. Tropical fruit and fresh vegetables are available throughout the year. The peak tourist season is from October to end of April.

Religion

There is freedom of worship in Myanmar. The majority of people embrace Theravada Buddhism and the minority follows Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.

Mode of Dress

Myanmar is the land of 135 ethnic groups who dress according to their races. Even the Bama, who make up about 80% of the population, dressed traditionally in the times of Myanmar Kings. The males wore lop nodes and females wore beehive nodes for special occasions, which is one of the 60 styles of hair node. Today both males and females wear modern styles of dress, which includes long and short sleeved shirt and long and short trousers. Males and females also wear the traditional “longyi”, a skirt. Males wear short hair. For special occasions, they wear Gaungbong (headgear) and Taikpon (coat). Some conservative old tribal people wear their own traditional dress in their regions. As the ethnic groups are so many that it is impossible to describe each tribe's dress in this short note. Normally, all wear the same modern dress in towns, cities and Yangon.

Immodest attire is frowned upon Myanmar’s Buddhist environment, especially at pagoda environs. Every visitor to a pagoda must abide by pagoda etiquettes.

Lower Myanmar enjoy tropical season whereas upper Myanmar, especially the Chin, Kachin, Mon and Shan State, enjoy cold season all year. Therefore, visitors need to bring thick, warm clothes if they would like to visit upper Myanmar. If they would like to visit lower Myanmar, only light cotton or woolen dress is recommended all year round.

Economy

Myanmar is an agricultural country but striving to become an industrialized one. Myanmar produces mainly paddy, timber and mineral resources, including precious stones such as ruby, jade, emeralds, and sapphire, among others. Myanmar has been practicing Open Market Policy since 1990, and business companies have mushroomed. Tourism is an important industry with much potential.

Now-a-days, tourists visit Myanmar for a variety of reasons. Therefore, we are seeking new friends worldwide to do tourism business with us. We guarantee honesty, sincerity and service plus to our clients. We are a financially strong company, with a team of well-trained staff. We assure you of tourist satisfaction.

Currency

The legal currency in Myanmar is the Kyat (They are 1 kyat note, 5 kyat note, 10 kyat note, 20 kyat note, 50 kyat note, 100 kyat note, 200 kyat note, 500 kyat note and 1,000 kyat note). But visitors may use FEC or US$. Traveller's cheques or credit cards are difficult to use at the moment, so we recommend you to bring US Dollars in cash.

Electricity

Health Certificate

Overland Entry Routes

Overland visitors can enter Myanmar from China via Muse in Shan State, from India via Tamu in Chin State and from Thailand via Mae Sai-Tachilek, Three Pagoda Pass and Mae Sot-Myawaddy Pass. If you would like to visit Myanmar from these overland routes, you should inform us at least 45 days in advance, so that we could get the necessary permits for you.

Embassies & Consulates in Myanmar

AUSTRALIA (Embassy of Australia )

88, Strand Road, Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel : (95-1) 251810, 251797, 251798
Fax : ( 95-1 ) 246159
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:30 ( Mon - Fri )
13:00 - 16:00

BANGLADESH (Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh)

11B, Taw Win Road, Bahan Township, Yangon
Tel : (95-1) 515275, 526144
Fax: (95-1) 515273 Office Hours: 08:30 - 13:00 (Mon - Thu)
14:00 - 16:00
08:30 - 12:30 (Fri)
14:00 - 16:00

BRUNEI (Embassy of Brunei Darussalam)

51, Golden Valley, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 510422, 526985
Fax: (95-1) 512854
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 16:30

CAMBODIA (Royal Embassy of Cambodia)

25(3B/4B), New University Avenue Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 549609, 540964
Fax: (95-1) 541462
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12-00 (Mon - Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

CHINA (Embassy of the People's Republic of China)

1. Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 221280, 221281
Fax: (95-1) 227019
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:30 - 16:30

EGYPT (Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt)

81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 222886, 222887
Fax: (95-1) 222865
Office Hours: 09:00 - 15-00 (Mon-Fri)

FRANCE (Embassy of France)

102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 212523, 212178,212520
Fax: (95-1) 212527
Office Hours: 08:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:30 - 18:00

GERMANY (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany)

9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Street, Bagan Township, Yangon
Tel : (95-1) 548951, 548952, 548953
Fax: (95-1) 548899
Office Hours: 07:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Thu)
                    13:00 - 16:30
                    07:30 - 12:30 (Tue)
                    13:00 - 14:30
                    08:00 - 14:00 (Wed)
                    07:30 - 13:30 (Fri)

INDIA (Embassy of the Republic of India)

545-547, Merchant St., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 243972, 240633
Fax: (95-1) 254086
Office Hours: 09:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 17:30

INDONESIA (Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia)

100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 254465, 254469
Fax: (95-1) 254468
Office Hours:   08:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Thu)
                    13:30 - 16:00
                    08:00 - 11:30 (Fri)
                    13:30 - 16:00

ISRAEL (Embassy of Israel)

15, Kha Boung St., Hlaing Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 515115
Fax: (95-1) 515116
Office Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 (Mon-Fri)

ITALY (Embassy of the Republic of Italy)

3, Inya Myaing Rd., Golden Valley, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 527100, 527101
Fax: (95-1) 514565
Office Hours: 08:30 - 16:30 (Mon-Fri)

JAPAN (Embassy of Japan)

100, Natmauk Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 549644, 549645, 549646
Fax: (95-1) 549643
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 17:00 (Wed)

KOREA (Embassy of the Republic of Korea)

97, University Avenue, Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 527142-3
Fax: (95-1) 513286
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

LAOS (Embassy of the People's Democratic Republic)

A1, Diplomatic Quarters, Taw Win Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222482
Fax: (95-1) 227446
Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 16:00

MALAYSIA (Embassy of Malaysia)

82, Pyiaungsu Yeiktha Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 220248, 220249. 220251, 220230
Fax: (95-1) 221840
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:00

NEPAL (Embassy of Royal Nepalese)

16, Natmauk Yeiktha Lane, Tamwe Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 545880, 557168 Fax: (95-1) 549803
Office Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 (Mon-Fri)

PAKISTAN (Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan)

A-4 Diplomatic quarters, Pyay Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222881, 222882 Fax: (95-1) 221147
Office Hours: 08:00 - 15:00 (Mon-Fri)

PHILIPPINES (Embassy of the Republic of Philippines)

50, Sayasan Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 558149, 558150, 558151
Fax: (95-1) 558154
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 (MON-FRI)
13:00 - 17:00

RUSSIAN (Embassy of the Russian Federation)

38, Sagawa Rd., Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 241955, 254161
Fax: (95-1) 241953
Office Hours: 09:00 - 15:00 (Mon-Fri)

SINGAPORE (Embassy of the Republic of Singapore)

328, Dhammazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 559001
Fax: (95-1) 559002
Office Hours: 08:30 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

SRI LANKA (Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)

34, Taw Win Road, Dagon Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 222812 Fax: (95-1) 221509
Office Hours: 08:00 - 15:45 (Mon-Fri)

THAILAND (Embassy of the Royal Thai)

No. 73, Manawhari Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 224550, 224507
Fax: (95-1) 225929
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 (Mon-Fri)
14:00 - 17:00

UNITED KINGDOM (Embassy of Her Britannic Majesty)

80, Strand Rd., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 380322, 370863, 370864
FAX: (95-1) 370866
Office Hours: 08:00 - 13:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:30 - 16:30
08:00 - 13:00 (Wed)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Embassy of the United States of America)

581, Merchant St., Kyauktada Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 379880, 370965,
Fax: (95-1) 256018
Office Hours: 08:00 - 12:30 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:30

VIETNAM (Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam)

317/319, U Wisara Rd., Kamaryut Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 524656
Fax: (95-1) 524285
Office Hours: 08:00 - 11:00 (Mon-Fri)
13:00 - 16:00

YUGOSLAVIA (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

114/A, Inya Rd., Kamayut Tsp., Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 532665, 532822
Fax: 532831
Office Hours: 08:00 15:00(Mon-Fri)

UNDCP

#11-A, Malikha Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 666903, 660556, 660390
Fax: (95-1) 651634

UNHCR

UNICEF

6TH & 7TH Floor,
Yangon International Hotel
Tel: (95-1) 212086, 212087, 212090, 212091
Fax: (95-1) 212063

WHO

Yangon International Hotel
330, Ahlone Rd., Dagan Tsp, 7th Floor, Yangon
Tel: (95-1) 212606, 212607, 212608, 212609
Fax: (95-1) 212605

UNDP/UNFPA

6, Natmauk Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 542910, 542919
UNIC - Tel: 292622, 262619
Fax: (95-1) 292739, 544531

FAO

Seed Division Compound
Myanma Agriculture Service
Gyo-gone, Insein Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 641672, 641673
Fax: (95-1) 641561

International Rice Research Institute

Seed Division Compound
Myanma Agriculture Service
Gyo-gone, Insein Rd.,
Tel: (95-1) 663590
Fax: (95-1) 642340

CONSULATES IN MYANMAR

BANGLADESH (Consulate of the People's Republic of Bangladesh)

CHINA (Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China)

Comer of 22nd Street & 63rd Street, Mandalay. Tel: (95-2) 34457, 34458 Fax: (95-2) 35944

Myanmar Embassies Abroad

AUSTRALIA

22, Arkana St., Yarralumla, Canberra A.C.T 2600, Australia
Tel: (61-2) 62733751, 62733811
Fax: (61-2) 62734357

BANGLADESH

Nel (3), 84 Rd., Gulshan Model Town, Dhaka-1212
Tel: (88-02) 601461, 601915
Fax: (88-02) 8823740

BRAZIL

Shis Ql., 08 Conjunto 04, Casa 05, Lago Sul, 71620-245, Brasilia-Df, Brazil
Tel: (55 61) 3643145, 2483747
Fax: (55 61) 2481922

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

14, Lot 2185, 46292 Simpang 212, Jalan Kampong Rimba Gadong 3385.
Tel: (673-2) 450506, 450507
Fax: (673-2) 451008

CAMBODIA

181, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Boeung Keng Kang 1, Khan Chamcarmon, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855-23) 213663, 213664
Fax: (885-23) 213665

CANADA

85, Range Rd., Suite 902-903, Sandringham Bldg Ottawa, Ontario Kin 8J6.
Tel: (613) 2326434, 2326446
Fax: (613) 2326435

CHINA

6, Dong Zhi Men Wai St., Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Tel: (0086) (10) 65321425, 65321488, 65321584, 65321624, 65326838
Fax: (0086) (10) 65321344

3, 3rd Fl., Camella Hotel, No. 154, East Dong Feng Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, P.R.C.
Tel: (086) (871) 3176609
Fax: (086) (871) 3176309

EGYPT

FRANCE

GERMANY

HONG KONG

Rm-2424- Sun Hung Kai Center, 30 Harbour Rd., Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 28277929, 28279843
Fax: (852) 28276597

INDIA

3/50. F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
Tel: (0091) (11) 6889007, 6889008
Fax: (0091) (11) 6877942

INDONESIA

109, Jlhaji Agus Salim, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia.
Tel: (62-21) 3140440, 327684
Fax: (62-21) 327204

ISRAEL

26, Hayarkon St., Tel-Aviv 68011 Israel
Tel: (972) (3) 5170760, 5170761
Fax: (972) (3) 5171440

ITALY

Viale Gioacchino Rossini, 18, INT.2, 1st FI., 00198, Rome.
Tel: (0039) 068549374, 0685863343
Fax: (0039) 068413167

JAPAN

8-26, 4-Chome, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo 140.
Tel: (81) (03) 34419291, 34419292, 34419293, 34419294
Fax: (81) (30) 34477394

KOREA

723-1/724-1, Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul, 140-210, Republic of Korea.
Tel: (82-2) 7923341, 7969858, 7967814
Fax: (82-2) 7965570

LAO

Ban Thong Kang, Sok Palaung. Vientiane, Lao.
Tel: (856) (21) 314910, 314911
Fax: (856) (21) 314913

MALAYSIA

10, Jalan Mengkuang, off Jalan Ru, 55000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: (603) 4560280, 4570680
Fax: (603) 4568320

NEPAL

Chakupat, Patan Gate, Lalitpur, Kathmandu.
Tel: (0097) (1) 521788, 524788
Fax: (0097) (1) 523402

PAKISTAN

201, 10 Street, Sector E-7, Islamabad.
Tel: (0092) (51) 2822460, 2828828
Fax: (0092) (51) 2828819

PHILIPPINE

4th, Fl., Xanland Centre, 152, Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Markati City.
Tel: (0063-2) 8129587, 8172373
Fax: (0063-2) 8175895

RUSSIA

41, UL.B. Nikitskaya (Gertsena), Moscow.
Tel: (007) (095) 2910534
Fax: (007) (095) 9563186

SINGAPORE

15 St., Martin's Drive, Singapore.
Tel: (0065) 7350209, 7351672, 7356576
Fax: (0065) 7356236

SOUTH AFRICA

319, Murray Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria.
Tel: (27-12) 3420706, (27-12) 3420796
Fax: (27-12) 3422039

SRI LANKA

108, Barnes Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
Tel: (94) (1) 681197, 672197
Fax: (94) (1) 681196

THAILAND

132, Sathorn Nua Rd., Bangkok.
Tel: (662) 2332237, 2337250, 2340320, 2344698
Fax: (662) 2366898

UNITED KINGDOM

19(A), Charles St., London Wix 8Er
Tel: (0207) 4998841, 6296966
Fax: (0207) 6294169

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

2300 S St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Tel: (202) 3329045, 3329044, 3329049
Fax: (202) 3329046