Myanmar is one of the most impressive countries in South Asia. Endlessly rich in cultural treasures and mysterious buildings, Thailand's northern neighboring country is becoming increasingly popular for adventurous backpackers and individual tourists.
Myanmar has only been accessible to tourists for a few yearsnot yet overcrowded and very pristine. This allows you to experience untouched nature, white sandy beaches on deserted islands and the unspoiled cultural life of the locals, which is hardly influenced by tourism.
The country's population is considered to be extremely hospitable and warm. Here, travelers are not seen as annoying tourists, but are treated as friends. Communication is genuine and characterized by great curiosity.
However, you should be aware that Myanmar's tourist infrastructure is still in its infancy. This country cannot be compared with perfectly developed Thailand. Of course there are also in Myanmar exclusive accommodation, public transportation, western food, cabs and travel guides. However, this is to a much lesser extent and generally not as easily accessible or constantly available as in neighboring countries.
Most travelers to Myanmar are looking for unadulterated adventure amidst an ancient culture and the last untouched natural paradises on earth.
Popular travel destinations in Myanmar
Yangon
Yangon is the former capital of Myanmar and is not only the economic capital, but also one of the country's cultural highlights.
Most trips to Myanmar start and end in Yangon, as this is where the country's international airport is located.
Walks through Yangon are very interesting, even if not exactly idyllic. A typical South Asian city, with all the chaos, hustle and bustle, traffic and protection that such a city usually entails.
No matter where in Myanmar you travel to Yangon, it will definitely be quieter. So throw yourself into the hustle and bustle for a few days and enjoy all the new impressions.
The absolute must-see in Yangon is the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. The equally fascinating and huge pagoda is not only the landmark of the entire country. It is also one of the most important shrines in the Buddhist world. Its golden towers rise almost 100 meters into the tropical sky.
Bagan in Myanmar
Bagan is one of the most visited places in the whole of Myanmar and should definitely not be missing from your travel list. Bagan is the city of 2000 pagodas. These are spread evenly across the flat landscape, which is dotted with a few trees, and rise into the sky in an almost surreal way. Especially at sunrise and sunset, they are immersed in the most beautiful play of colors and probably offer one of the most spectacular photo opportunities in the world. The most popular of them, the Shwesandaw Pagoda, offers the best view of the surrounding countryside. The view from here is truly spectacular. You should definitely get there early enough to secure one of the top spots on the pagoda, at least in high season.
Mandalay
Alongside Yangon, Mandalay is one of the country's major cities.
In contrast to Yangon, however, Mandalay is much less chaotic and much clearer. Culturally, however, the city has at least as much to offer. The many temples and pagodas in particular are worth a visit and day trips to the equally interesting surrounding area are also easy to do from here.
The Kuthodaw Pagoda, located in the north of the old town and consisting of 729 white stupas, is particularly worth seeing. Just as worth seeing is the nearby Kuthodaw Pagoda, right at the foot of Mandalay Hill.
After visiting the two pagodas, you can visit Mandalay Hill. From up there you have a breathtaking view over the city.
Inle Lake / Inle Lake
The popular Inle Lake is located in the heart of Myanmar. The lake is particularly famous for its inhabitants, who have fully adapted to life on the lake. You will find the famous one-legged rowers, floating villages and floating gardens and a fascinating landscape. To get an initial overview, you should take a boat trip on a fishing boat. Between all the human life on the water, there is a large network of waterways that lead past countless craft businesses on stilt houses in the middle of the lake. The people here are extremely friendly and unobtrusive. The mainland around the lake also offers good sightseeing opportunities. The lake is a feast for the eyes, especially for photographers, before sunrise. At this time, thick wafts of mist often drift over the water and immerse everything in a mysterious world of wonder.
Mrauk U
The place with the funny name Mrauk UThe city is one of the most important archaeological sites in Myanmar and has existed since 1433.
It is located in the far northwest of the country and should not be missed on any trip to Myanmar. This remote place is a sunken royal city that fascinates visitors with countless ruined temples, ancient pagodas and an impressive landscape.
Not only the landscape is very original, but also its inhabitants. You can still meet them here, the women with the large water jugs on their heads, which they used to fill up at the well. Incidentally, the correct pronunciation of the place is: Mjau U.
Myanmar, Burma, Burma - what is it really?
Myanmar is still referred to on the map with (Burma) in brackets at the back. In Germany, Burma is also often used when referring to Myanmar.
In westernized, English-speaking countries such as the USA or Australia, Burma is still the common name for Myanmar. But what is it all about?
The various names, as well as the actual country name, are derived from the country's largest population group. This population group is called Myanma and is colloquially pronounced Bama.
In English, Myanmar was therefore spelled Burma for many years. This slightly different spelling was used to simplify pronunciation. Bama and Burma sound almost identical in the English dialect.
The German form of Burma was called Burma because the U in Burma sounds more like an implied German I in English. The missing R of the actual name of the Myanma(r) people was added at the end to simplify the pronunciation and to put the emphasis on the second A.
But what was the correct name for the country? Myanmar, Burma or Burma?
First of all, one and the same country is meant. Until the end of the 1980s, the term Burma was commonly used in English and Burma in German.
Myanmar is a former British colony. From the 1920s onwards, attempts were made to unite the population groups and call them either all Myanma or all Bama.
The words kept alternating for several years. In 1989, the military junta decided on the uniform name Myanma and the country was officially renamed the Union of Myanmar. But why is the name Burma still in brackets after the word Myanmar? The reason for this is that not all countries in the world wanted to accept the new official name - Union Myanmar.
The USA, for example, refused to adopt the new name as a sign of its disapproval of the military regime within the country. The United Nations, on the other hand, adopted the new name. As a result, Myanmar is still officially called Burma in some countries.
Myanmar, Burma and Burma are therefore the names for one and the same country.
Myanmar is the current official name of the country. Burma is the former official name in English-speaking countries and is still used by some countries today. Burma was only used in German-speaking countries and is no longer an official name for Myanmar.
Country & People in Myanmar
Myanmar is almost twice the size of Germany with a land area of 67,6577 km².
It borders Thailand to the south, Laos to the east, China to the north-east, India to the north-west and Bangladesh to the west. The entire south-western side lies on the Indian Ocean, more precisely on the Andaman Sea and the Bengal Sea.
The population is around 53 million. The former capital, and still the country's largest city, is called Yangon and has a population of 5.2 million. The actual capital Naypyidaw, which translates as City of Kings, is now the second largest city and has a population of around 1.2 million.
As a multi-ethnic state, there are 135 different ethnic groups in the country. The Myanmar group makes up the largest proportion of these, at 70 percent. For a long time also called Burmese.
Almost 88 percent of the country's population belong to Buddhism. Burmese, also known as Burmese, is the official language in Myanmar. This language also has its very own script. English is now widely spoken, especially by people working in tourism. However, English is not yet widely spoken in many parts of the country. You should definitely have a good command of hand and foot communication.
Best time to travel to Myanmar
Myanmar is located in the tropics of South Asia and therefore has a tropical monsoon climate. The country can theoretically be visited all year round. It never gets cold, quite the opposite. Most of the country has hardly any temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Humidity is generally high. There are two seasons. The dry season, from the end of November to the beginning of May, and the rainy season, from the end of May to mid-October. The dry season is further divided into the cool season, from the end of November to the end of February, and the hot season, from the beginning of March to the beginning of May. Due to Myanmar's terrain, the characteristics of these seasons vary somewhat. The mountainous region in the north of the country is a particular exception.
The most pleasant and also most popular time to travel is from mid-October to the end of February. These months are in the cooler dry season and average temperatures across the country range from around 18 to 32 degrees. Due to the location, the thermometer in the city of Mandalay can sometimes drop below 13 degrees, especially in the evenings. However, such cool temperatures are rather rare. The thermometer usually stays above 20 and below 30 degrees. While October is already largely dry in Mandalay, the last foothills of the monsoon can still be felt in the area around Yangon or Ngapali Beach. From November onwards, however, the entire country is covered in dry cloths. The higher up certain areas are, the colder the average daily temperature will be. The cooler season is perfect for hiking. Those planning lots of activities will find the right conditions now.
After the cooler dry season comes the hot dry phase, from the beginning of March to the beginning of May. The average temperatures here are between 25 and 38 degrees. They rise the closer it gets to the rainy season. Myanmar is also worth a visit during the hot dry season. However, the extreme heat can be a real problem for sensitive people. Anyone who has ever tried to climb a mountain at 38 degrees and 90 percent humidity will know the difference. The hot phase is well suited to those seeking relaxation or adventurers who are not sensitive to heat.
The hot dry phase is followed by the rainy season, which is no longer quite so hot. As soon as the monsoon sets in, it cools down by a few degrees. However, frost and cold are not to be expected. The rainy season at least offers temperatures between 24 and 32 degrees. It doesn't necessarily rain around the clock, but several times a day, briefly and extremely heavily. The humidity rises rapidly. Insects breed particularly well due to the humidity. If you are not afraid of torrential rain, humidity and hordes of mosquitoes, you can even enjoy the rainy season. The most beautiful tropical thunderstorms and colorful cloud formations are the reward for all the inconvenience. Not to mention the very low level of tourism at this time of year.
Visa for Myanmar
German tourists require a visa to enter Myanmar. You can apply for this at the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Berlin. As a vacationer, you can also apply for the visa online. It costs 50 USD, which you have to pay by credit card. After applying, the visa will be sent to you by email.
The tourist visa is usually only issued for a single entry and exit. It allows you to stay in the country for 28 days.
You must have a passport to enter the country. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your trip. A return or onward flight is also necessary, otherwise the airlines will not even let you board at your home airport.
Please note that the entry requirements can change regularly. You can find the latest information on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. However, there may also be delays in the forwarding of information. Make sure you check the latest regulations before you leave.
Travel to Myanmar
There are no direct flights from Germany to Myanmar. You therefore have to take a detour via its neighboring countries.
From Germany, most airlines first fly directly to another Asian country, for example Singapore. From there, you change to a plane to Myanmar. Theoretically, however, you can also fly directly to Myanmar from many other Asian countries. In addition to Singapore, these include Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Taiwan, South Korea, Qatar, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
You can fly there directly from these locations. All other countries must fly to one of these countries to get to Myanmar.
So you can easily combine your trip with a stopover in another interesting country.
According to Skyscanner, the shortest journey, including transfer times, takes from 15 hours upwards. Entry via neighboring countries, such as Thailand or Laos, is also possible. The visa requirements are the same by land.
Vaccinations & first-aid kit for Myanmar
Myanmar's medical standards are far behind those in Europe.
The training of medical staff is often inadequate. English is rarely spoken. Hospitals also often lack modern technical equipment. Not to mention hygiene.
Travelers to Myanmar should take health precautions before entering the country. This starts with taking out good travel health insurance, which must also include repatriation.
Every traveler should also have their own first-aid kit. If you regularly take medication, you should bring sufficient quantities for the entire duration of your trip. However, it is not only your own medication that is important, but also a certain supply of medical necessities that are not readily available in the country.
These include, among others:
- Plasters and bandages
- Disinfectant for skin and objects
- Pain and fiber medication such as paracetamol or iboprophen
- A clinical thermometer
- Remedy for travel sickness
- Remedy for diarrhea and constipation
- Tablets or mouthwash for sore throats
- Nasal spray, cough suppressant
- A broad-spectrum antibiotic
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Strong insect repellent, preferably with the ingredient DEET
- Electrolytes
- Prophylaxis against tropical diseases such as malaria
- Depending on the exposure, it is advisable to carry clean syringes and needles with you
Not only accidents can make a visit to the doctor necessary, but also tropical diseases, which are usually transmitted through insect bites, animal bites or inadequate hygiene. Insects are particularly active in the rainy season, but can also be found in the dry season.
Myanmar regularly experiences cases of malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus infections, chikungunya fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, bird flu and tuberculosis.
You should therefore make sure you have adequate insect protection during the day, in the evening and at night.
Long, loose, light-colored clothing, good insect repellent and a mosquito net at night are an advantage.
To reduce the risk of rabies, keep away from wild animals and feral pets. Especially those that appear particularly tame. Never eat raw, unheated, unpeeled fruit or vegetables.
Rinse raw fruit with bottled water after peeling.
Never drink water from the tap and use bottled water for brushing your teeth.
Wash your hands regularly and disinfect every toilet seat before you sit down.
The WHO recommends the standard Vaccinations which are also recommended in Germany.
However, there are also vaccinations against rabies, Japanese encephalitis and tuberculosis. You can discuss with a tropical medicine specialist whether these are suitable or even necessary for you.
10 phrases and words you should know
Even if the Burmese make a great effort, English is on average rather poor or non-existent.
It is therefore extremely important that you know a few words so that you can make yourself understood on the spot.
Here are the 10 most important phrases you should know:
- Good afternoon and good evening - Mingalarbar
- Goodbye - Tat tar
- Excuse me - Ngar taung pan par deh
- Thank you - Jay to tin bar deh
- Please - Ya bar deh
- How to get to...? - Bae lo twar ya ma lae ?
- Hospital - Sayyon
- one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten - tit / nit / thone / lay / ngar / chauk / khone / shit / koe / tasae
- The bill please - Bill pay cash
- Call a doctor - Sa yar win khaw pay par
How safe is Myanmar as a travel destination?
The touristic Regions Myanmar are considered safe.
Pickpocketing is not uncommon and the security situation in the country has worsened since the beginning of 2019.
Fierce conflicts are being fought between rebel armies and the Myanmar military, particularly in parts of the north of the country, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Many people are currently on the run, meaning that the borders with China have already been closed. Heavily armed rebel groups operate in many border regions and do not shy away from acts of violence.
Parts of Chin State, Sagaing Region, Shan, Mon, Kayin, Karen and Kayah States are affected by minefields.
Travelers are strongly advised not to stay there. Rakhine State, which is also home to the wonderful town of Mrauk U, is affected by ethnically motivated clashes and fighting. You should also avoid traveling there for the time being.
Curfews may have been imposed in some parts of the state. Border regions may no longer be visited by tourists at all. Only with authorized, special permission. Politically motivated bomb attacks are also not uncommon. These regularly result in injuries and fatalities. Tourists should avoid large gatherings of people and demonstrations at all costs. These are often broken up very violently by security forces. Even protests and demonstrations that seem peaceful at first can turn violent in the blink of an eye. Myanmar is currently (as of 2019) not a particularly safe country to travel to.
Even if tourists are not the direct target of attacks, they may well find themselves involuntarily in the line of fire. Before you travel, you should definitely find out about the security situation in the country.
Natural disasters are another security risk. Myanmar is located in the seismically active zone. This means that you can expect earthquakes at any time. Earthquake-proof buildings are rare in Myanmar. Find out in advance about the correct behavior during an earthquake. It can get very stormy in the coastal regions, especially during the rainy season. Tropical cyclones and heavy thunderstorms are not uncommon.
Even if some adventurers are happy about stormy weather, be aware that Myanmar cannot initiate the same evacuation and emergency measures that you are used to in a western country. Stay away from certain regions if there are storm warnings.
Travel guides and tours in Myanmar
Are you looking for travel guides / guided tours through Myanmar? Maybe we have something for you here.
Useful links
Official tourism website of Myanmar https://tourism.gov.mm/de/