MYANMAR
Myanmar sits at the crossroads of Asia’s great civilisations of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand. One of South East Asia’s largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range.
To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world. What can the casual visitor therefore expect upon arrival, and why should one embark on such a journey in the first place?
Myanmar offers all the traditional delights of Asia in one fascinating country. Virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, combined with a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years. Spectacular monuments and ancient cities attest to a vibrant culture that is still home to 135 different ethnic groups.
The country’s tourism infrastructure boasts five star properties, intimate boutique hotels and family guest houses in all the major centers, as well as stunning mountain and beach resorts. Myanmar also boasts one of the lowest tourist crime records in the world, so visitors can rest assured their holiday will be carefree from start to finish.
Wherever you go in Myanmar, whether it be cruising down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in style, drifting over the ancient city of Bagan by hot air balloon, or searching for that elusive tiger on the back of an elephant, there is always a feeling of adventure. With two modern internal airlines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations off the beaten track are gradually being opened. From mountain trekking and rafting in the far north to world class diving in the Mergui Archipelago. But above all, Myanmar offers the warmest welcome in Asia.
GEOGRAPHYLocation: Southeast Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Area: 677 000 square kilometres (261 228 square miles). Terrain: A land of hills and valleys rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountaion barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated. CLIMATE AND SEASONSTropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April). Myanmar has three seasons. *Cool Season - October through February with average temperatures 20-24 C *Hot Season - March through May with average temperatures 30-35 C *Wet Season - June through September with average temperatures 25-30 C The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season. However, even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and in Shan State is quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February. Ver 2.0: Myanmar is a year-round destination and has three main seasons. The hot season runs from March to mid May, the rainy season from mid May to early October, and the cool season from mid October until the end of February. Each season has its own attractions, and even during the rainy season there are many days of clear blue skies, and the landscapes are green and lush. PEOPLE
Nationality: Burmese. According to Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs there are 8 Major National Ethnic Races in Myanmar, which all comprises different ethnic groups: the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin , the Mon, the Bamar, the Rakhine, and the Shan. LANGUAGE
Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects.
The majority of the people speak Myanmar (Burmese) and English is widely used. RELIGIONThe majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced. FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYSTry to arrange your journey to coincide with a festival. These unique celebrations - such as the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival around Inle Lake - offer a perfect chance to visit villages and join the locals as they celebrate their festivals throughout the year. Click on this link for the latest events. HANDICRAFTS AND SOUVENIRSMany different arts, crafts and antiques are available throughout Myanmar. Handcrafted lacquerware, mostly produced in Bagan, comes in all shapes and sizes. Embroidered cottons and wood carvings also make good souvenirs. Myanmar is of course renowned for its precious stones, particularly rubies. You should only buy from government licensed shops, which must issue an official receipt. MYANMAR TIMEGMT + 6.5 YANGON 0700 hours on Monday Government offices are open from 8.00 to 17.00 (with a one-hour lunch break) from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are holidays. In local regions, offices are open from 7:00 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 17:00 Banks are open from 7:30 or 8:00 to 15:30 Banks are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Private shops are open from 8:00 or 8:30 to 21:00 or 22:00 VIAN tour working hours:
Monday to Friday: from 8:00 to 17:00 (with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00 .)
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