Archive-name: travel/myanmar-guide/part2
Url: http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar
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MYANMAR (BURMA) - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide
Myanmar is also known as Burma. The country has a long and varied
history, from kingdom to outpost of the British Empire to independent
country (see also the book below).
The main tourist spots are Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Inle Lake,
and of course the huge temple area of Bagan (Pagan).
Places
Bagan
Bago
Inle Lake
Kalaw
Kekku
Kyaik-Tiyo
Lashio
Mandalay
Sagaing
Taunggyi
Yangon
General Information
Geographical Information
Climate
People
Politics
Events
Visa
Embassies
Border Crossing
Travel Permits
Money
Mail
Telephone
Internet
Hotels
Food
Health
Literature and Other Information
Associated with Amazon.
Country Guides
Maps
Travel Reports
Language
History and Politics
Culture
Magazines
Novels
Movies
For recommended books, please check out the web version at
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar
Transportation
Flying
Trains
Boat
Bus
Car
Copyright (c) 1995 - 2003, Peter M. Geiser
http://www.pmgeiser.ch
http://www.pmgeiser.com
http://www.mineralwaters.org
http://www.dussy.ch
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BOOKS
For books, please have a look at the online version at
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar
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MAIL
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/general/mail.htm
Post offices are open Mo to Fr, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Basic overseas postage is MMK 4 to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan; and MMK 5 to USA or UK. There are
special Air Letters for USD 3.50.
Letters to Europe take about 10 to 14 days.
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TELEPHONE
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/general/telephone.htm
Myanmars international telephone code is 95.
Overseas calls are possible through operators at a Central Telegraph
Office or at major hotels. Some hotels also have IDD, the prefix is
0.
Some rates for one minute:
Bangkok USD 3.66
Australia USD 8.50
Europe USD 15.00
Some area codes (to dial you need the prefix 0):
Bassein 42
Magwe 63
Mandalay 2
Meiktila 64
Moulmein 32
Pegu 52
Prome 53
Sittwe 43
Yangon 1
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INTERNET
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/general/internet.htm
Internet access in Myanmar is not exactly common, the best choice is
to get an independent provider that lets you access the internet all
over the world for the price of a local phone call.
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HOTELS
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/general/hotels.htm
Accommodation is from about USD 2-5 for a room in a simple guest house
to over USD 50 in a luxury hotel.
Guest houses in Yangon start at about FEC 7, in other cities from
FEC 3.
While the official government hotels may offer more luxury than
privately run small hotels, you also support the government with the
money you pay. Consider staying in privately run accommodation
instead.
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FOOD
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/general/food.htm
The basic diet is rice and curry. There are numerous forms of fish
paste with salad. Soup is taken wogether with the rice and other
dishes.
Food costs amount to about USD 6 per day. This amount soon increases
to about USD 10 to 20 if you drink a few beers.
A cheap dish (curry or fried rice) is about MMK 70 to 100.
A good Burmese meal is about MMK 200 to 350 (without drinks).
Chinese food ranges from MMK 200 to 500 per dish (you'll eat more than
one dish per meal.)
A bottle of Mandalay Beer is about MMK 240 (market) to MMK 350
(restaurant).
The most popular Myanmar dishes are 'Mohinga' (rice noodles with fish
gravy) for breakfast and 'Ohn-No Khaukswe' (noodles with coconut
curry).
Desserts include Sanwin-Ma-Kin (sweet cakes made with semolina, sugar,
egg, butter and coconut), banana cakes, Kyaukchaw (sea weed jelly) and
jaggery.
Almost every town also boasts Chinese restaurants (mainly Cantonese
and Fukinese). Indian food like Kababs and Birani are also popular.
European food is only available at bigger hotels.
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HEALTH
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/general/health.htm
This section intends to give some advice on health issues in South
East Asia. It does not cover all possibilities and in case of problems
you certainly still should visit a qualified medical doctor. This is
especially true for vaccinations.
Depending on the country you are travelling, medical facilities may
not be widely available. This is true especially for Cambodia, Laos
and Myanmar. China and Vietnam does have a wide variety of medicines,
but you may not be familiar with them. In case of serious troubles
consider leaving the country and going to a place with good facilites
(e.g. Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.)
Chinese people are very aware of health problems. The Chinese medicine
is world famous and obtainable even in the smallest villages and also
many of the surrounding countries (e.g. Vietnam). However, Western
medicine is not very widely available.
Doctors and hospitals normally expect immediate cash payment.
If you regularly need some medicine, bring enough of it with you since
chances are that you will not get the same or a replacement for it. It
is also recommended to bring one or two clean needles in case of an
emergency.
Be carful not to drink water directly from the tap. Although it is not
a problem anymore in big cities like Shanghai, depending on your
resistance it is better to be safe than sorry. Especially in China,
even the smallest guest houses in the remotest villages there are
thermos bottles with boiled water. It is used to drink tea. However,
if you follow the rule of "cook it , boil it, peel it, or forget it",
you can eat and drink from any restaurant or street stall and
ridiculous things (at least for people with an average stomach) like
bringing your own chopsticks is really not necessary.
AIDS
AIDS is a serious threat in many countries.
According to recent figures by UNAIDS, the United Nations program,
about half of Cambodia's prostitutes are HIV positive. The total
figure of the population with the disease is estimated at 120'000,
with the most explosive growth in Asia. Aids iis also increasing
rapidly in other countries.
Malaria
The four essential steps when dealing with malaria are:
Awareness: know about the risk of malaria.
Bites by mosquitoes: prevent or avoid.
Compliance with appropriate chemoprophylaxis.
Diagnose breakthrough malaria swiftly and obtain treatment promptly.
Malaria (from Italian 'mala aira', bad air) is a life-threatening
disease and a major health risk for travelers visiting tropical
countries. It occurs when small parasites are passed from one person
to another by the bites of certain mosquitoes (Anopheles). The
parasites use red blood cells to breed and finally cause their
decay. This decay causes fever and eventually a lack of oxygen which
can, in case of a malaria cerebral, cause brain damage. Depending on
the type of malaria these fever shocks appear every three (malaria
tertiana) or four (malaria quartana) days. Death rate of malaria can
be up to 2%.
There have been many discussions on how to best deal with it and even
the doctors have not yet agreed on a single opinion.
Probably the best paper describing malaria and its prevention and cure
is from the PHLS Malaria Reference Laboratory of the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and can be found at:
http://www.phls.co.uk/publications/CDRreview/cdrr1097.pdf
Dr. Arlene Goldman published an excellent guide to the various drugs
used in malaria treatment and lists region with malaria resistance.
The URL is
http://www.publinet.it/pol/malaria.htm
Bilharzia
The parasitic infection bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is caught by
contact with river water. You do not have to drink the water or swim
in the river, just getting wet may be enough. The microscopic
parasites in the water burrow into your skin and cause a damage to the
liver and other organs. It is a chronic debilitation disease. The most
dangerous region is in south Laos (south of Pakse) and in Cambodia.
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MAGAZINES
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/literature/magazines.htm
http://www.magazineoutlet.com/magoutlet/partners.asp?affiliate_key=00931001
National Geographic, July 1995.
The author, grown up in Burma, revisits the places of his childhood.
National Geographic, June 1974.
A detailed article on the Lake Inle and the regions main inhabitants, the
Intha.
Order your free issue from Magazine Outlet (hint: click on the cover to the left).
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NOVELS
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/literature/novels.htm
Lewis, Norman. Golden Earth.
Orwell, George. Burmese Days.
Set in the colonial times, this novel gives an interesting account of
these times.
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FLYING
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/transport/plane.htm
Maynmar has five international airports, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan,
Nyaung-O, and Heho.
There are direct flights between Yangon and Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur,
Singapore, Jakarta, Dhaka, Kunming, Moscow and Vientiane.
The airlines serving Yangon are Myanmar Airways International, Thai
Airwais International, Silk Air, Biman, CAAC and Aeroflot.
Some addresses of airlines in Yangon:
Aeroflot Airline, 182 (B), Dhamma Zedi Road.
Air France, 69, Sule Pagoda Road.
Biman Airline, 106, Pansodan St.
China Airline, 104, Strand Road.
KLM, 104, Strand Road.
Myanma Airways International, 123, Sule Pagoda Road. Tel 89772,
89773, 89774.
Myanma Airways, 104, Strand Road.
Nepal Airlines, 104, Strand Road.
North West Orient Airlines, 36, Shwebontha St.
Silk Air, 537, Merchant St.
Thai Airways International, 441/445, Maha Bandoola St.
There are two domestic airlines, Air Mandalay Ltd. and Yangon
Airlines.
Myanmar Airwais International now has Boeing 737-400 machines and are
quite nice.
It seems to be a hassle to get tickets, so it might be wise to pay a
tout USD 2 to buy the tickets for you.
Between Yangon and Bangkok are two flights each day, one in the
morning and one in the afternoon. The return ticket should cost you
about USD 170 or FEC 98 for a single with Myanmar Airways
International and USD 250 with Thai Airwais International.
Air Mandalay operates two flights per week between Yangon and Chiang
Mai.
Since 12 February 2000 there is a direct flight between Mandalay and
Bangkok. It is operated by Angel Air.
There are flights by Bangkok Airways between Chinag Mai and Mandalay.
Upon arrival at Mandalay you have to pay a USD 24 visa fee and a
USD 71 "service charge for landing".
There is a direct flight between Hong Kong and Yangon twice a week.
UB238 Hong Kong - Yangon dep 17:40, arr 19:25
UB237 Yangon - Hong Kong dep 12:00, arr 16:40
The departure tax in Yangon is USD 6.
Flight Schedule
The schedule was effective from 7 Dec 94 to 31 March 95, and has now
been greatly expanded. Make sure you check for latest timetables.
Aircraft: ATR 72-210 QC: 80 Seats
Days Flight Dep Arr Meals
From Yangon (RGN) To
Bagan NYU 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6T 001 07:45 09:00 Breakfast
Mandalay MDL 1 3 6 6T 003 12:10 13:40 Lunch
From Mandalay (MDL) To
Heho HEH 1 3 6 6T 002 09:20 14:45 Lunch
Yangon RGN 1 3 6 6T 004 10:15 11:45 Lunch
Yangon RGN 4 7 6T 006 10:15 11:45 Lunch
Yangon 2 5 6T 008 13:40 15:10 Light Meal
From Bagan (NYU) To
Mandalay MDL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6T 001 09:20 09:50 Refreshment
From Heho (HEH) To
Yangon RGN 1 6 6T 002 14:55 16:10 Light Meal
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TRAINS
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/transport/train.htm
Some distances of railways between major cities:
Yangon to Myitkyina 1'162 km (722 miles)
Yangon to Mandalay 620 km (385 miles)
Yangon to Lashio 901 km (560 miles)
Yangon to Mawlamyine 287 km (178 miles)
Yangon to Pyay 259 km (161 miles)
There are three trains between Yangon and Mandalay every day, at 5 pm,
at 6:30 pm and at 7 pm. A one way ticket in the upper class cost about
USD 32 to 38, depending on the train. The newest report states that
there are four trains, all costing USD 32:
Dep. 6:00 17:00 18:30 19:30
Arr. 21:10 7:00 8:30 10:35
The trains from Mandalay to Yangon leave daily:
Dep. 6:00 15:15 17:30 18:30
Arr. 21:30 5:20 7:30 10:00
There is a train to Molmeyn.
From Mandalay to Bagan, there is a daily overnight train service.
The train between Mandalay and Myitkina is USD 27 for upper class.
There is a special counter for tourists in Yangon, Mandalay and Thazi.
Of course, at this counter you have to buy the specially priced
tickets.
In smaller cities it is possible to buy tickets in ordinary class. The
train between Myitkina and Mandalay is then only USD 1.
The express trains between major tourist spots are very comfortable
with new, reclining seats). The ordinary coaches look more like made
for animal transport.
Do not forget earplugs if you want to sleep during a night ride, since
very loud Burmese music is played.
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BOAT
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/transport/boat.htm
Myanmar has many rivers with lots of transportation.
Ayeyarwady River 1'550 km (963 mi)
Chindwin River 792 km (492 mi)
Thanlwin River 89 km ( 55 mi)
Kaladan River 177 km (110 mi)
Saing Tin River 129 km ( 80 mi)
Sittoung River current too strong
There is a luxury cruise ship running between Mandalay and Bagan on
the Ayeyarwady Princess. There are also numerous regular boats. The
government boat is FEC 11, the privately run boats are FEC 17. The
boats leave at 6 am (for one FEC, the hostel will provide for
transport to the ferry terminal). The trip takes about 10 hours.
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BUS
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/transport/bus.htm
Ordinary buses are old, cheap, convenient, uncomfortable, and
extremely crowded. There are more expensive and comfortable express
busses. Still, due to bad roads, the average speed is still below
50 km/h. If you would like to get some sleep, say during a night trip,
don't forget earplugs; loud action movies will be shown.
Express busses between Yangon and Mandalay cost about MMK 1000 one
way.
The Bagan Express leaves Yangon at 4 pm and costs MMK 1000.
The Bagan Express to Mandalay leaves Bagan every day at 4, 6, and 9
am. It costs MMK 400.
The Bagan Express to Taunggyi leaves Bagan every 2 days at 5 and at
7 am. Price is MMK 700. There are Tiger Head pickup trucks. They
charge MMK 1000 in front and MMK 500 in the back. They leave at 4 am.
The are modern express busses between Yangon and Mandalay. Arrow, Leo
and Trade Express have a bus at 5 pm daily, for MMK 1000. Asahi Yoko
departs at 5:30 and costs MMK 950. All of them arrive around 7 to 8 am
the next morning.
An express bus from Taunggyi (Lake Inle) to Yangon costs MMK 1800. It
leaves dayli at around noon and the ride takes 17 - 18 hours on bad
roads.
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CAR
http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar/transport/car.htm
A minivan complete with driver and guide should be about USD 80 for a
ten day trip from Mandalay to Rangon.
Other quotes that have been reported: A large car for up to three
persons is about USD 50 per day, a minivan for a maximum of 7 persons
is USD 70 per day. This includes a driver and fuel.
A 17 day trip in a Toyota LandCruiser for 8 people complete with
driver costs USD 600 for 17 days.
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MYANMAR (BURMA) - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide
Copyright (c) 1995 - 2003, Peter M. Geiser
http://www.pmgeiser.ch
http://www.pmgeiser.com
http://www.mineralwaters.org
http://www.dussy.ch
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