The country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbours, is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local elements. Burma's diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics, history and demographics in modern times, and the country continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions. The military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Burma remains under the tight control of the military-led State Peace and Development Council.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar


People of Myanmar

Although isolated, subjugated and poor, the Myanmar people are as proud of their country and culture as any nationality on earth. Locals gush over ancient kings, pwe (festivals), mohinga (noodles with chicken or fish) breakfasts, great temples and their religion. For the majority, Buddhism is the guiding principle and life centres on the monastery. A typical Burmese values meditation, gives alms freely and sees his or her lot as the consequence of sin or merit in a past life.

The social ideal for most Burmese citizens is a standard of behaviour commonly termed bamahsan chin (or ‘Burmese-ness’). The hallmarks of bamahsan chin include showing respect for elders, acquaintance with Buddhist scriptures and discretion in behaviour towards the opposite sex. Most importantly, bamahsan chin values the quiet, subtle and indirect over the loud, obvious and direct. Burmese also love a good laugh, and puns are considered a very high form of humour.

Several festivals and events centre on Yangon, although some of the more political ones may shift to Naypyidaw in time. Independence Day on 4 January includes a fair at Kandawgyi Lake; Buddha’s birthday in April or May is a big event at Shwedagon Paya; Martyr’s Day commemorates the assassination of Bogyoke Aung San on 19 July; and Tazaungdaing sees speed-weaving competitions at Shwedagon Paya in October or November.

Passport holders from Asean countries, China, Bangladesh and Russia do not need to apply for visas to visit Myanmar. All other nationalities do. A tourist visa’s validity expires 90 days after issue and only allows a 28-day, single- entry visit. It costs US$20. You’ll need three passport-sized photos for the process.

There are also 28-day business visas (US$30) and 28-day special visas (US$30) for former Myanmar citizens (which can be extended for three to six months once in Yangon for US$36). A multiple-entry business visa is US$150. There are also meditation visas (US$30) for those travelling for this purpose.

Travel agencies along Bangkok’s Khao San Rd specialise in getting quick tourist visas for Myanmar. Rates depend on turnaround times, which always aren’t met: visa in one day 1800B, two days 1600B and three days 1100B. The process at the Bangkok embassy can take a couple of days. It may be easier to plan ahead and arrange the visa in a ‘quieter’ capital, such as Phnom Penh or Vientiane.

Visitors from Thailand can get very short- term ‘visas’ that allow minimal travel in border regions of Myanmar.

Applications

Myanmar’s embassies and consulates abroad are scrupulous in checking out the backgrounds of visa applicants. Consider declaring another profession if you’re a journalist, photographer, editor, publisher, motion-picture director or producer, cameraperson or writer. Otherwise you’re likely to be rejected.

Extensions

At the time of research, it was possible to extend a tourist visa by an additional 14 days (only) beyond its original 28-day validity in Yangon only. The process costs US$36 and usually takes about two to five days. A travel agent can help navigate the bureaucracy for a total of US$50. You’ll need two copies of your passport and visa, two passport-sized photographs and a recommendation letter from MTT. The process cannot be started in advance or from elsewhere in Myanmar.

Another option, if you want just a few more days, is overstaying your visa. Check with a Yangon agent before your visa’s up, but at research time there was generally little hassle to overstay if you were leaving from the Yangon or Mandalay airports. Be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes with some paperwork, and to pay US$3 per day overstayed, plus a US$3 ‘registration fee’. Try to have correct change handy. Apparently, it’s possible to overstay by up to six weeks without major incident; many travellers have reported overstaying a week or more.

When departing overland to Thailand on an expired visa, it’s best to enlist help from a travel agency before popping up at the border. In one case, an extra US$35 fee was lopped onto the US$3-per-day penalty to cross to Ranong, Thailand.

Immigration officers at Yangon airport are friendlier than some of their stone-faced contemporaries around the region. Even customs officers appear relatively cheerful. Officially, visitors must declare foreign currency in excess of US$2000, as well as electronic goods such as laptops, iPods, radios and cameras. However, we found checks to be pretty lax on our last visit. Technically, antiques cannot be taken out of the country, although this is not often enforced.

Import regulations:

Free import:
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 1/2 lb. of tobacco;
- one quart of alcoholic liquor;
- one pint bottle of perfume or Eau de Cologne.
Additional Information on regulations::

All jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to customs at the airport. Video cameras will be kept in safe custody at the airport and will be returned on departure.

Ref: http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/MM-Myanmar-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

Weather Information for Yangon

Weather Information for Mandalay

Ref: http://www.worldweather.org
Remark: Climatological information is based on monthly averages for the 30-year period 1961-1990.

Air

All international flights arrive at sleepy Yangon airport (RGN), except direct flights from Chiang Mai to palatial Mandalay airport (MDL). The most common route is via Bangkok, a good place to pick up cheap tickets to Myanmar. From there a one-way ticket to Yangon starts at US$90, cheaper still with an Air Asia budget fare. Flights also connect Yangon with Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming and Singapore.

It is important to reconfirm outgoing flights from Myanmar for all airlines other than Thai International Airways (THAI) and SilkAir. You do not need to show onward tickets to enter Myanmar.

DEPARTURE TAX

The official departure tax is US$10, payable in US dollars only, not kyat.