Nay Pyi Daw is founded in 2006 and recently become the capital of Myanmar. It is located in the central of the country,205 miles north of Yangon, which is the former capital. The famous “Gems and Pearl Emporium” is held twice a year in this beautiful capital and hundreds of gems dealers from all over the world gather there. Moreover, the city has picturesque landscaping of government-buildings, residential areas, large roads and especially the grandeur of parliament-building. You can enjoy visiting “Water-Fountain Garden”, the “ U-Pa- Than-Ni” Pagoda, the White Elephants etc, especially in the evenings, so that you can be pleased to have the fresh and coolest air in the city.
Myanmar is comprised of 135 distinct ethnic groups. The Burma form an estimated 68% of population ; then 9% are Shan , 7% are Kayin , Rakkine constitute 3.5 % , overseas Chinese from 2.5 ,Mon from 2% , overseas Indian comprise 1.25% , Kachin from 1.5 % , Chin constitute 1% , Kayar from 0.75 % and other groups constitute 4.5% .
Religion The majority the population in Myanmar (i.e more than 80 %) believe in Buddhism , but other religions , such as Christian , Islam and Hinduism etc are practiced largely without obstruction.
LanguageBurma language is the official language within Myanmar. There are about 100 languages and dialects of tribes using in different divisions. But, most of the people from urban areas can understand and communicate in English since their primary level English as compulsory subject.
WeatherMyanmar has three seasons namely hot, rainy winter seasons. The hot season starts from March to the end of May and rainy season starts from June to the end of September. Finally, October to the end of February is the winter. During the hot season, the maximum temperature in Yangon is around 40 ºC, the average temperature of rainy season around 28 ºC and winter season around 18 ºC. But, some mountainous areas have very cold winter and sometimes go down to minus degree.
Dresses and Lifestyle Although Myanmar has no special rules for women wearing dresses like mini skirt, short pant, but it is prohibited to wear at some places. Slipper, shoe, stocking are also prohibited to wear inside the compound of every Pagoda and Buddhist temple. However light dress is convenient while visiting Yangon in winter, jacket, coat or warm cloths are suitable cloths for the winter in some areas especially mountainous places such as Maymyo, Myit Kyee Nar, Inle or Shan states.
Local time GMT + 6.5 hours
CurrencyCurrency unit presently using within Myanmar is Kyat. FEC which is equivalent value of US$ is also available as a foreign currency. Myanmar notes are one, five, ten, twenty, fifty, hundred, two hundred, five hundred, one thousand, five thousand and ten thousand.
Usage of Credit CardNo credit card, debit card can be used at the moment. Also visa card, master card and other cash cards cannot be widely used in Myanmar.
Electrical Current220 V, 50 Hz, “Socket is Type ''
Transportation Local Airlines : Travelling by air is the best way for guests visiting to Myanmar. Especially main tourist places can be reached by flight. Four air lines such as Myanmar Airways International, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay and Asia Wings are currently running in Myanmar. Punctuality, ease and comfort are taken into consideration for the selection of airlines.
Railway: Most places in Myanmar can be reached by train which is centered to Yangon and Mandalay.
Bus : Bus is a convenient transportation for visitors to major cities.
Ship : However visiting by air to Bagan from Mandalay is used highway ferry as an alternative. Travelling by ship/boat within Myanmar is a memorable event for the guest.
Use of waterTap water is not clean enough so we recommend all guests to drink hot water or purified water (ph7). Purified bottled water is readily available , cost around 300 kyats , and some hotels provide complimentary . Carry a bottle of water with you throughout the day .
ToiletMost of the places installed local style toilet except hotels .We recommend to keep tissue whenever to use outside toilets.
Money ExchangeMoney changing can be done at banks, hotels, tour companies, and some shops to pay for meals, shopping or local taxi fare. The price of US$ 100 note is higher than small notes and sometimes price is reduced if the notes are dirty, too old or torn. Exchange rate in rual areas is less than Yangon.
VisaMost visitors to Myanmar need visas to enter the country. Tourist visa may be valid for (3) months and can stay in Myanmar up to four weeks. Tourist Visa can be obtained in Myanmar embassies or consulates abroad.
The necessary information includes;
- Identification documents other than a passport;
- a copy of identification card (ID),
- a copy of a driver’s license, etc.
- supporting documents, in addition to “basic documents; Residence certificate, marriage certificate, curriculum vitae, etc
Air Port TaxAirport tax (US$ 10) is required to pay at airport for international departure. No other currency is allowed to pay.
Business HourGovernment offices are opened on week days and business hour is 9:30 a.m ~ 16:30 p.m . But, office hour of all the banks has started from 10:00 a.m ~ 14:00 hrs. Office and Banks are normally closed on Saturday, Sunday and gazette of holidays are closed normally. But, visitors need to be careful for long holidays at middle of April that should you like to visit for business reason.
ShoppingAlthough Yangon has many shopping centers Bogyoke market is the most interesting place for visitors where Myanmar traditional dresses, precious stones jewlleries, paintings and souvenirs are available . Besides, shops from stair ways of Shwedagon Pagoda are also good for buying Buddha statues, Myanmar traditional dolls for kids and decoration items.
Phone communicationCountry code of Myanmar is 095 and local call can be made from public phone as well as from hotels. Making local call from hotels cost for 1 US$ per minute and (100) Kyats per three minutes calling from public phone. Local area code, eg. 01 for Yangon, is required to put in front of land phone numbers, if you are use from mobile / cell phone or calling to different regions.
Education InformationThe education system of Myanmar is operated by government , Ministry of Education. Universities and professional institutions from upper Myanmar and lower Myanmar are seen by two separate entities, the Department of Higher Education of upper Myanmar and Department of Higher Education of lower Myanmar. Headquarters are based in Yangon and Mandalay respectively. The education system is based on the United Kingdom’s system, due to nearly a century of British and Christian presences in Myanmar. Nearly all schools are government operated, but these has been a recent increase in privately founded English language schools. Schooling is compulsory until the end of elementary school, probably about 9 years old, while the compulsory schooling age is 15 or 16 at international level.
