Brief about Myanmar

Capital : Naypyidaw

Currency : Burmese Kyat (MMK)

Population : 56 millions

Language : Burmese

Religion : Buddhism

Timezone : (GMT + 06:30 ) Yangon 

Electricity : Type C (European 2-pin), Type D (Old British 3-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth), Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)

Dialing Code : + 95

Geography

Myanmar sits at the crossroads of Asia's great civilizations of India and China , and looks out onto the vast Indian next to Thailand. One of the South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Hialayan mountain range. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the wold - 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 is 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 six modern arilines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations of 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.

Myanmar is the largest country on the main land in the South East Asia border by Thailand, Laos, China and Bangladesh, Southern and southwestern part is bordering by Andaman Sea.

Population, Races and Ethnic Groups

Although, as many as 135 different ethnic groups are residing in Myanmar, Myanmar are the majority alongside with Mon, Shan, Kachin, Chin, Rakhine, Kayin and Kayah etc. MOre than 55 million people are living in a total area of 676,577 sq km.

How all those 135 different ethnic groups with their own language, beliefs and culture can mingle and live peacefully in Myanmar is an interesting point for foreign visitors to find out when visiting the country.

Religion

The majority of the people of Myanmar (almost 80%) are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practice.

Entry points for Foreign Visitors

Currently, the main entry point for international visitors is the business hub, Yangon by scheduled and Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar also has Mandalay International and the new capital, Naypyitaw, has new airport but there are only very few scheduled international airlines flying there so far.

Border crossings at Muse by the China border, Tachileik and Kawthaung by the Thailand border are also allowed for visitors with pre-arranged border crossing permission and visa.

Arrival by Ocean cruises at Yangon international Thilawa port is also another entry point by sea port.

Myanmar Visa

A visa is required in advance. Tourist visa for Myanmar can be obtained from any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate world-wide. Travelers who plan to arrive via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong can obtain their tourist visa from those respective embassies. Tourist visa are valid for a stay of up to 28 days.

Visa on arrival can be pre-arranged for the visitors for both tourists and business visa and can be obtained at Yangon, Mandalay and Naypitaw international airports.

Currency

Myanmar currency is called the kyat. There are no coins only notes raging from 1 to 10,000 kyats. Cash is still widely used however, credit cards are becoming popular in larger centers. It is recommended to carry a small of US Dollars. Euros and Singapore dollars can also be changed at banks and official money changers.

SIM Cards in Myanmar

If you intend to travel to Myanmar particularly visit great destinations like Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay, you will probably wonder: "which sim card is best in Myanmar? What's they current cost of SIM card? Where's the best place to buy the SIM card - local shops or go to the carrier's outlets? And are micro - Sim cards available?...... These kinds of question are common as staying connected or uploading a photo to social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, etc...is indispensable during your wonderful trips.

To get a better insight, please consider several useful information. First of all, remember that your phones are all unlocked. To purchase a SIM card, foreigners need to have photocopies of their passport photo page and Myanmar visa page, as well as one passport photo. 

Secondly, pick up a local Myanmar SIM card and purchase a data package. Data packages in Myanmar are super cheap and it is great to have Google maps and other apps while you're out exploring. You will be amazed that Google maps can shops or Tea houses in Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, and Mandalay... Visitors can purchase Myanmar SIM cards at the Yangon International Airport, some hotels and shopping malls in Yangon, cell phone shops in Bagan and Inle Lake.

From the perspective of the public, Ooredoo, Telenor, and MPT are 3 companies considered as the best providers.

 

Telenor (Atom) 

In 2015 they started to sell a Tourist SIM. In 2016 it was upgraded: For a sales price of 15,000 kyats, visitors get 5 GB data and 50 local mins to all nets for 14 days. It's available in only a few tourist-oriented locations: it was launched in Yangon International Airport in November 2016 and is now available at their counters in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports too. Telenor (Atom) Sim Cards are sold for 1,500 kyats starter price without credit. 

Ooredoo

It is 1500 kyats ($ 1 USD) for a SIM card and 11,500 kyats for 2.5 GB of data (about 7 - 8 USD) with Ooreddo. You can buy a SIM for just 1500 kyats for a phone/data service with Ooredoo from any phone shop and many grocery stores across the country, and you probably can do this without showing any ID. You can buy top-up scratch cards for Ooredoo for 1000 kyats in many places and the cost of call and data use is deducted from your credit balance according to the tie of the day at the rates indicated on the website. However, the Ooredoo network is still developing and you may find that the only places you can get a decent signal are in the major cities and in the center of Bagan/Nyaung U, for example.

MPT

The former government monopoly Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has the most extensive country-wide coverage, but (as of early 2015) obtaining and using a SIM from MPT was much more expensive than getting one from one of the newer telcos operating in Myanmar. For tourists in Myanmar tours, they sell a special SIM only at the MPT Shop in Yangon International Airport in both terminals. You pay 10,000 kyats. for the starter and get 1 GB data and 5000 kyats. credit valis for 10 days. Data over the package is billed at their default rate of 6 ks. per MB. Compared to their regular SIM this is not a good deal.