Helpful links for Visiting Myanmar

Best Time of Year to Visit Myanmar
Is It Safe to Visit Myanmar?
Visa requirements for Myanmar

Inle Lake View Resort - Best Hotel in Inle Lake

Pic title: inle resort (Link)

Inle Lake View Resort
Address: Kaung Daing Village, Nyaung Shwe Township, Southern Shan State, Myanmar
Phone: +95 (81) 29332 29483

The Inle Lake View Resort is the best hotel in the Inle Lake area in Myanmar (Burma).

With nearly 40 deluxe rooms, all with their own private balconies overlooking the lake, the Inle Lake View Resort is a luxury hotel with all the ammenities.

The Inle Lake View Resort has a one of the best restaurants in Myanmar, as well as a bar, a spa and other luxury facilities.

Inle Lake Airport

Pic title: Heho Airport, on the way to Mandalay. (Link)

If you are planning to visit Inle Lake in Myanmar, the airport you should fly into is Heho airport.

Located approximately 22 miles from Inle Lake, Heho airport is the closest airport to the lake. There are regular flights to Heho airport from Mandalay and Yangon.

Best Time to Visit Inle Lake, Myanmar

Pic title: Inle Lake fisherman (Link)

The best time of the year to visit Inle Lake in Myanmar is the autumn. The months of September and October in particular are good times to visit Inle Lake because of the ceremonies that take place during these months.

The Hpaung Daw U festival, which takes place over the course of serveral weeks in the fall, is known for its boat races. Burmese people dress in traditional costumes and row in competitions on the lake.

The other festival that makes autumn the best time to visit Inle Lake is the Thadingyut festival. The Thandingyut festival is the festival of lights.

Myanmar Disaster Relief Trip Report

A trip report from a travel agency providing Myanmar disaster relief:

Dear Friends,

Here again the report of the last weekend's trip to the Delta. My office went back to Bogalay township, an area which was not as badly hit as Labbuta, but is getting much less aid than other areas.

06.06.08 (Friday)
MTL left for their 4^th trip (third trip to the delta) 8 pm, Friday night and arrived early Saturday morning at Bogalay at 4:30 am.

07.06.08 (Saturday)
They slept a little bit at a small guest house and at 7 am started to organize where to buy the goods we have to buy the goods in this very limited time.

As you might know, it is not advisable to come with full load of trucks to the delta, so we found our way how to successfully supply to the people in need.

Among the goods we bought was: rice ( 50 bags ) + blanket ( 500 ) + mosquito net ( 500 ) + water container ( 300 ) + glasses (300 ) + water filter ( 300 ) + plates ( 600 ) + bowls ( 300 ) + instant noodle soup ( + potatoes + onions + chick pea + beans + chili + salt

First Village ( Kyone Sein ) Raining time

before 512 people - now 311 - 2 hours boat ride (2^nd donor)

MTL has chosen this village because it is so far away and after 5 weeks we were the second time donors… Only 6 days ago this village was accessible – When MTL came they were out of stock for 3 days already and there meals consisted only of coconut meat and coconut liquid…They all stay in the monastery till their village will be rebuilt.

It took the villagers 3 days after the cyclone to finally be able to leave to Bogalay. (Most of the people were naked and did not dare to leave the village immediately). It took 3 days to get them dressed, partly with plastic bags, so they could finally leave to Bogalay for help.

The monk and the villagers left either to the monastery in Bogalay or to a refugee camp. Most of the villagers were sent back from the refugee camp 12 days ago.

They got rice + clothes + 10000 Kyats (US$ 8.70) per person from the government. Shortly after they arrived back to their village they got food + blankets from one local NGO (Mon Myat Myattar group) MTL was the second donor.

When MTL arrived they were trying to build up some huts with the woods remained from all the damage left after Nargis hit.

Second Village ( Ma Ku ) Raining period
before 549 - now 185 – another 2 and 1/2 hrs. boat ride (3^rd donor)

This village had not one single big house nor a big monastery, meaning that the whole village got destroyed. (remember in my first report I described how our water tank in Yangon flew like a feather – now imagine people living in huts…) This village was and is one of the poorest in this area.

All the novice monks and monks except of one monk died (before 2 monks and 3 novice). The surviving monk sat for hours on a tree and waited for the cyclone to end.

The villagers got a bit supply from the Government.

In one family only the grandmother survived. During the cyclone she was flooded into another village and was holding for 7 hours on a piece of wood.

From there she was brought to a refugee camp but she has been back to her village since last week.

Third Village ( Ngwe Thaung Yan ) (4rth donor)
before 590 - now 299 - One hour boat ride

245 of the 299 survivors left to a refugee camp and the remaining 54 stayed with relatives in Bogalay. However, they had to leave the camp 12 days ago and returned to a village which was completely destroyed. Everybody of them lost at least one family member.

There is an old well from which they are using dirty water but they boiled the water. We are 4^th time donors. They got some help from government, monks and a local NGO.

Fourth village ( Ye Kyaw Kauk )

before 360 - now 171 - Half and hour boat ride (2^nd donor)

MTL was told that nobody knew that there is a cyclone on the way. They only heard rumors of a cyclone, but nothing to be worried. As to thousands of others this disaster came with full surprise. This village has many coconut trees where they could hold on. After the disaster they left to Bogalay as all was gone. They were also sent back 'home' 12 days ago. The government supplied them with plastic sheets to cover the frame of the existing huts.

There are many people out there who now live in a kind of blackout, do not connect to their surrounding any longer and do not know how to build up their future as many of them are the only survivors of a family of 8 to 12 people.

They got enough food from their first private donor so we just came in time for the next supply.

Fifth village (Kyone Sein Gyi)

Before 446 persons - now 146 persons

Here the villagers left only after one week of the cyclone, eating spoilt rice and drinking coconut milk. A government boat discovered them and took them to a refugee camp to Bogalay. 12 days ago they were sent back 'home'. On the way back they got some rice and 2 yards of plastic sheet (per family) in order to help to restore their lives.

Now they started building small huts out of wooden pieces from damaged houses. The only building which did not collapse was the monastery, however, it is not safe any longer as it also suffered damages and now 'leaning to a side…'

At 5.30 pm MTL returned to Bogalay and went early to bed. In the middle of the night heavy monsoon started up to 7 am in the morning.

08.06.08 ( Sunday ) – 5 hrs boat ride (FIRST DONOR)

01. Aye Yar Tan ( before 512 - now 123 )
02. Kone Tan Pauk ( before 459 - now 185)
03. Da Ni Poat ( before 700 - now 195)

Only at 9:15 am MTL was able to start their trip to the villages as it was too dangerous to drive by boat. The people of the village number 2 and number 3 stay at the moment on the monastery compound of village number 1. Even the boat driver did not exactly know where the villages were located and did not know that 2 villages joined another one. The arms of the river were very narrow and it was very difficult to find the remaining huts behind the coconut trees. Finally MTL discovered a monastery and stopped there with our supplies. According to the monk they did not get any information about a cyclone coming to their area. All 3 villages are located west of Bogalay town and very close by the sea.

They survived because of their monk who went to Bogalay town and asked the township authorities to get food for them and bring to his village. He also told village number 2 and 3 to join his village although one third of his monastery roof was missing, he considered it a safer place to stay with him.

He asked MTL to personally distribute to everybody the goods and he wants to see with 'his own eyes' that people came to help. Although this took over 3 hours, MTL accepted his request. The villagers were in this moment so happy that they started clapping. They were given a name list of all the villagers in order to not give someone twice. In the middle of the donation Soe Soe saw a boy and a girl in the corner who did not move and who did not dare to ask for the donation. Nobody really knew abt them and they were not on the name list. (It is not easy to find parents and relatives as there is no such as family name in Myanmar culture.) Now the monk is taking care of them and they are finally on the name list. The last to receive the donation was the monk and he asked MTL to pray for the dead to arrive to their peaceful destination.

So they did in front of the monk all the villagers behind them said Thardu, Thardu, Thardu (well done, well done, well done – which is a blessing given by monks and people who got donations). After the blessings all of a sudden the dogs started to howl and the monk believed that this was a message sent by the dead that they now are free and can go to their next destiny. For our Buddhist staff it was one of their biggest blessings they achieved as they helped to release the souls from the damaged villages.

7^th village ( Myin Ga Oak ) (FIRST DONOR)
Before 570 people – now 63.

… only 3 women survived. Ko Aung, our young guide told them to rebuild their life with a family. One man answered, that how can they rebuild without women? For a short while there was laughter as MTL was asked to bring next time as a donation some women.

In this village MTL was told many times that they saved their lives and came in last minute. MTL replied that without the funds of our clients and friends as well as our sources for getting the funds and supplies safely to Myanmar we would never had been able to do so. All the villagers want to let everybody know that they will never forget what you have been doing for them and want to express their deepest gratitude.

11 year old boy in village number 7

This weekend MTL pick up a boy (together with his mother) and bring him to Yangon. (When his mother leaves with him, then only 2 women left in the village). His eye was so badly injured that it still pops out… He was first brought do Bogalay but the doctors sent him back to the village as they did not know what to do with him. His mother has no money for sending him to Yangon.

He is still under lots of pain and yesterday when I heard this story I decided to bring him to Yangon and give him medical treatment. We still have donation money left and are still getting funds - meanwhile we have enough funds for his medical treatment.

Soe Soe and our staff

I want to thank Soe Soe and our staff again for their tremendous help and capability to cover so many villages in this short time during their weekend.

Here are Soe Soe's own words to me (at the end of her report):

"I am writing to you with full of so sadness. If I told you about all the families - there will be 100 pages more. Everybody has the same experience and they will never forget NARGIS till to the end of their days.

Really they still need food for their long life, so we are helping whatever we can. We will go together to the heaven."

Thank you.

Myriam Grest

P.S. Finally the water purification pills together with the JAICO (mosquito repellent) arrived and are (today) on the way to the Delta. Thanks to NIST, the International school in Bangkok and friends living in Bangkok we were able to buy the purification pills and JAICO.

We have at the moment pills for 455000 liter of drinking water :)

NY Times on Myanmar Cyclone Crisis

Full Article - Myanmar Seizes UN Food for Cyclone Victims and Blocks Foreign Experts

Myanmar Seizes UN Food for Cyclone Victims and Blocks Foreign Experts
By SETH MYDANS

BANGKOK — The military leaders of Myanmar seized a shipment of United Nations food aid on Friday intended for victims of a devastating cyclone, declaring that they would accept donations of food and medicine but not the foreign aid workers international groups say are in equally short supply there.

The ruling junta continued to permit a small number of aid deliveries and promised to allow the first air shipment from the Pentagon on Monday, a significant concession because the United States has been Myanmar’s leading critic, imposing sanctions and lobbying for a United Nations resolution condemning the nation’s generals for human rights violations.

Continued on nytimes.com

Traders Hotel Yangon Myanmar

Traders Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar
223 Sule Pagoda Rd., Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

A 22-story behemoth, the Traders Hotel is visible from many areas of Yangon. Rooms are large, simple, and clean and the hotel is located in the heart of the downtown area near Yangon's Bogyoke Market. The hotel offers welcome drinks, buffet meals, a business center and a swimming pool.

The Strand Hotel Yangon Myanmar

The Strand Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar
92 Strand Rd., Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Perhaps the most well-known hotel in Yangon, The Strand hotel is one of Yangon's premier luxury hotel. The Strand is located in the downtown area, close to the Yangon River. Originally opened in 1901, The Strand itself is a renovated colonial-era building and is renowned for its history and service.

The Hotel at Tharabar Gate Bagan

The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate - Bagan, Myanmar
Near Tharabar Gate, Old Bagan, Myanmar

The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate in Bagan has large, spacious rooms with hardwood floors and antique-looking furniture. Rooms are located in separate small buildings scattered around the grounds. Each building has two rooms, each with its own veranda. The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate boasts of beautiful, spacious architecture and a large swimming pool, and is located a short distance from many of the temples in OldBagan. Bicycle rentals are available and the hotel will set up tours of the temple region upon request.

Standard rooms run from US$60-85/night depending on the time of year.

Thiripyitsaya Sakura Bagan Hotel

Thiripyitsaya Sakura Bagan Hotel - Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan Archeological Zone, Old Bagan, Myanmar

The Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel in Bagan is situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, just minutes away from the Nyaung Airport. The hotel is surrounded by temples, the main tourist attraction in Bagan. It is located a short walk away from several restaurants in Old Bagan (my favorite was the Be Kind to Animals, Don't Eat Meat Restaurant...great vegetarian place!), and not far from the New Bagan area. The hotel itself has a beautiful garden and pool and an open-air dining and bar area where guests can enjoy the cuisines of Myanmar, Japan, and Europe, as well as an outdoor deck where breakfast is served. There is a spa with a large list of treatments available; guests can indulge in everything from traditional massage to paraffin body wraps. The rooms are nice and clean, and the staff is very friendly. Tours of the area can be arranged at the front desk, and bicycle rentals are also available.

Double rooms run from US$55-500/night depending on the time of year.

Free Maps of Myanmar on Google Maps

Google has free maps of Asia inside Google Maps. These now include road and street maps of major cities. Check out Myanmar Google maps here:



Link to Google Maps

Zegyo Hotel Mandalay, Myanmar

Pic title: Our friend, Mandalay, Myanmar (Link)

Located next to the famous Zegyo market, the Zegyo Hotel in Mandalay, Myanmar is in a great location in Mandalay. At the intersection of 84th Street and 27th Street, the Zegyo Hotel has clean rooms with air conditioning. The Zegyo Hotel also has a good restaurant, which serves local beers.

Mandalay Hill, Myanmar

Pic title: Mandalay Hill (Link)

Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Myanmar is a 230-metre hill dotted with monasteries and temples. At the top of Mandalay Hill are spectacular views of Mandalay and beautiful payas and temples. Fee for entrance is USD$3.

People visiting Mandalay Hill can walk or take a van to the top of the hill for a small fee.

Myanmar Currency

Pic title: Kyat in the donation box (Link)

The Myanmar currency is the Kyat (MMK). One Myanmar kyat equals 100 pyas.

Myanmar currency bills are available in denominations of: 1 Kyat, 5 Kyats, 10 Kyats, 15 Kyats, 45 Kyats, 90 Kyats, 100 Kyats, 200 Kyats, 500 Kyats, 1,000 Kyats.

Royal Palace Mandalay, Myanmar

Pic title: Royal Palace Mandalay_20060422_001 (Link)

The Mandalay Royal Palace is a small city within the city of Mandalay. Located between 12th Street and 26th Street, the Royal Palace is in the heart of Mandalay.

Built in 1861 by King Mindon and recently restored, the Royal Palace in Mandalay is one of the great attractions in the city. People visiting Mandalay can see the old ramparts and palace walls, the chambers, and the beautiful palace halls.

The entrance fee for the Royal Palace in Mandalay is USD$5.

Trains to Mandalay

Pic title: MY_0386_CIMG0493 (Link)

Trains from Yangon to Mandalay, Myanmar: Trains run regularly each day from Yangon to Mandalay. The trip takes fifteen hours and trains from Yangon to Mandalay run both in daytime and at night. The cost of a train from Yangon to Mandalay is USD$15 for a regular seat.

Trains from Lashio, Hsipaw, and Pwin U Lwin to Mandalay, Myanmar: There are two trains a day from Pyin U Lwin ($4/$2) and one from Lashio via Hsipaw and Pwin U Lwin ($9/$3 from Hsipaw). Trains from Pyin U Lwin to Mandalay cost USD$2-4, trains from Lashio to Mandalay cost USD$9, and trains from Hsipaw to Mandalay cost USD$3.

Mandalay, Myanmar

Pic title: Mandalay, Myanmar (Link)

Located in central Myanmar, Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma). On the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, Mandalay is an important city for Myanmar's economy and a great city for visitors to soak up the culture. Whether visiting Mandalay's Royal Palace or watching the city's many monks, Mandalay is a great city to visit in Myanmar.

Yangon Circle Train

Pic title: on the Yangon circle train (Link)

The Yangon circle train is a popular activity for people visiting Myanmar. The Yangon circle train is old--don't expect comfortable seats or Western standards--but it is a great way to see Yangon and the surrounding area. It is also a good way to travel as the locals do. Most of the people who ride the Yangon circle train are in fact residents of the greater Yangon area.

The total trip on the Yangon circle train takes three hours. The train leaves from the Yangon Central Railway Station. To buy a ticket on the Yangon circle train, go to the platform and purchase a ticket at the booth for foreign travelers. Make sure to have your passport with you, as they will ask for your passport number when you purchase a ticket.

Taxi from Yangon Airport to City Center

Pic title: the little taxi that tried (Link)

Most people visiting Myanmar arrive in Yangon. Taxi is the primary mode of transportation used in getting from Yangon airport to the city center.

Taxis from Yangon airport to Yangon cost around USD$10 if you use the taxi stand inside the airport. If you leave the Yangon airport to find a taxi outside, you can usually get a little better price. Make sure to agree on a price with the taxi driver before getting into the taxi.

Boats from Bagan to Mandalay, Myanmar

Pic title: The Jetty (Link)

Boats from Bagan to Mandalay, Myanmar run regularly throughout the year. However, the schedule varies according to the season and the water level on the river. The general boat schedule from Bagan Mandalay is below. Make sure to check an updated boat schedule when you arrive.

Boat from Bagan to Mandalay:
Runs: Daily
Departs Mandalay 6:30am
Arrives Bagan 6:30pm
Cost of boat from Bagan Mandalay: USD$20

Boats from Mandalay to Bagan, Myanmar

Pic title: ferry boat from Mandalay to Bagan (Link)

Boats from Mandalay to Bagan, Myanmar run regularly throughout the year. However, the schedule varies according to the season and the water level on the river. There are two types of boats that travel from Mandalay to Bagan, the slow boat and the speed boat. The general boat schedule from Mandalay to Bagan is below. Make sure to check an updated boat schedule when you arrive.

Slow Boat from Mandalay to Bagan:
Runs: Sunday and Wednesday
Departs Mandalay 5:30am
Arrives Bagan 4:30pm
Cost of boat from Mandalay to Bagan: USD$33

Speed Boat from Mandalay to Bagan:
Runs: Daily
Departs Mandalay 7am
Arrives Bagan 4:30pm
Cost of boat from Mandalay to Bagan: USD$10

Best Time of Year to Visit Myanmar

Pic title: Temples of Bagan, Myanmar (Link)

There are three seasons in Myanmar: the hot season, the Monsoon season, and the cool season. The hot season in Myanmar lasts from early March to late May, the Monsoon season in Myanmar runs from the late May to mid October, and the cool season in Myanmar runs from late October to late February.

The best time to visit Myanmar is the cool season, as temperatures can climb very high in the hot season and the rains can interrupt sightseeing in Myanmar's Monsoon season. In the cool season, temperatures in Yangon hover around 17 degrees Celsius.

Mandalay and Bagan can be visited in the Monsoon season, as those parts of Myanmar only get light showers. Yangon gets much more rain during the Monsoon season in Myanmar, and therefore the best time of year to visit Yangon is the cool season.

The best time of year to visit Myanmar's northern region is during the hot season, as it remains cooler there throughout the year. During the cool season, the northern region averages a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.

Be Kind to Animals Restaurant, Bagan, Myanmar

Pic title: Bagan veggie restaurant (Link)

The Be Kind to Animals Restaurant in Bagan, Myanmar is located in Old Bagan near a small crop of shops and restaurants. As the name implies, the Be Kind to Animals Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant in Bagan. The food is delicious, even for meat-loving types. The owner and his wife run the restaurant, and will probably sit down with you and tell you about their family. If you stop in, try the vegetable fried rice. It is the best I've ever tasted.

Yangon Markets

Pic title: Yangon Markets 07 (Link)

Yangon, Myanmar has no shortage of open-air markets. Yangon markets come in several varieties. One type of Yangon market is a fruit or vegetable market. These markets are usually set up on a street, where vendors lay their goods on the ground and buyers walk through the narrow center aisle to browse. Another type of Yangon market is the bustling sidewalk markets in which vendors sell everything the mind can imagine. People visiting Yangon can find goods ranging from jewelry to metal bolts, T-shirts to rusty fans, sandals to children's watches. Yangon markets are crowded and bustling, and are worth a visit for the experience alone.

NY Times - U.N. Envoy Tries to Ease Tensions in Myanmar

Full Article - U.N. Envoy Tries to Ease Tensions in Myanmar

U.N. Envoy Tries to Ease Tensions in Myanmar
By SETH MYDANS

BANGKOK, Sept. 30 — A United Nations envoy to Myanmar met Sunday with the detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and with several members of the military junta that last week crushed a peaceful pro-democracy uprising, the United Nations said.

The envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, spent more than an hour at a government guesthouse in the main city, Yangon, with Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years. He spent Saturday and Sunday nights in the administrative capital, Naypyidaw, 200 miles north of Yangon, where he met with government officials but not the top two leaders.

Continued on nytimes.com

Is It Safe to Visit Myanmar?

Pic title: yangon bus (Link)

The 2007 protests in Myanmar and the recent cyclone have people asking "is it safe to visit Myanmar?"

With Yangon and many parts of the country devastated by the cyclone and the Myanmar ruling junta clamping down on visits by foreign aid workers, visitors should take caution before traveling to Myanmar. With much of the country in tatters after the cyclone, people visiting Myanmar for tourism purposes should consider rescheduling their trips.

Before visiting Myanmar, check your government's website (U.S. State Department, etc) to see what safety precautions are advised.

NY Times on Myanmar Protests

Pic title: Yangon Pagodas 15 (Link)

Full Article - Thousands Join Monks in Myanmar Protests

Thousands Join Monks in Myanmar Protests
By SETH MYDANS

BANGKOK, Sept. 24 — As protesters filled the streets of Myanmar’s cities in greater numbers than ever today, swelling the crowds in the country’s largest city to an estimated 100,000, the government issued its first warning that it might take action against protesting Buddhist monks.

The minister of religious affairs for the military junta told religious leaders that if they did not move to restrain the monks who are at the heart of the protests, the government would take unspecified action against them.

Continued on nytimes.com

Google Maps Myanmar

Pic title: Temples of Bagan, Myanmar (Link)

Google Maps is now available for Myanmar (Burma)!

NY Times: Myanmar Junta Offers Rare Concessions

Full Article - With Signs of Resistance Continuing, Myanmar Offers Rare Concessions

With Signs of Resistance Continuing, Myanmar Offers Rare Concessions
By SETH MYDANS

BANGKOK, Sept. 7 — The authorities in Myanmar, apparently bowing to bad publicity, released a political prisoner today whose leg was broken when he was arrested in the recent outbreak of antigovernment protests. His case had gained international attention when fellow prisoners staged a hunger strike calling for his freedom.
On Thursday, a delegation of military officers was briefly held hostage by Buddhist monks at a temple outside the main city of Yangon. The officers had reportedly gone there to apologize to the monks for treating them roughly during a demonstration the day before.

Continued on nytimes.com

Shwedagon Paya

Pic title: Shwedagon Paya 1 (Link)

The Shwedagon Paya (sometimes called the Shwedagon Pagoda) is located on Singuttara Hill in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma). The largest and most visited destination in the city of Yangon, the Shwedagon Paya a very sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese. The massive, gilded central stuppa is surrounded by many smaller pagodas, all infused with Buddhist symbols and decorated in vibrant colors.

The Shwedagon Paya is easily reachable from the downtown Yangon area by foot (somewhat of a long walk) or by taxi.

Note: When you arrive, local people will come up to you and start telling you about the history and symbolism of various aspects of the Shwedagon Paya. They expect you to pay them at the end of your informal tour. If you do not intend to pay them, politely say "no, thank you" and continue on your way.

Bagan Hotels

Pic title: Bagan (Link)

Thiripyitsaya Sakura Bagan Hotel - Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan Archeological Zone, Old Bagan, Myanmar

The Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel in Bagan is situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, just minutes away from the Nyaung Airport. The hotel is surrounded by temples, the main tourist attraction in Bagan. It is located a short walk away from several restaurants in Old Bagan (my favorite was the Be Kind to Animals, Don't Eat Meat Restaurant...great vegetarian place!), and not far from the New Bagan area. The hotel itself has a beautiful garden and pool and an open-air dining and bar area where guests can enjoy the cuisines of Myanmar, Japan, and Europe, as well as an outdoor deck where breakfast is served. There is a spa with a large list of treatments available; guests can indulge in everything from traditional massage to paraffin body wraps. The rooms are nice and clean, and the staff is very friendly. Tours of the area can be arranged at the front desk, and bicycle rentals are also available.

Double rooms run from US$55-500/night depending on the time of year.

The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate - Bagan, Myanmar
Near Tharabar Gate, Old Bagan, Myanmar

The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate in Bagan has large, spacious rooms with hardwood floors and antique-looking furniture. Rooms are located in separate small buildings scattered around the grounds. Each building has two rooms, each with its own veranda. The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate boasts of beautiful, spacious architecture and a large swimming pool, and is located a short distance from many of the temples in OldBagan. Bicycle rentals are available and the hotel will set up tours of the temple region upon request.

Standard rooms run from US$60-85/night depending on the time of year.

Yangon Hotels

Pic title: The Strand (Link)

The Strand Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar
92 Strand Rd., Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Perhaps the most well-known hotel in Yangon, The Strand hotel is one of Yangon's premier luxury hotel. The Strand is located in the downtown area, close to the Yangon River. Originally opened in 1901, The Strand itself is a renovated colonial-era building and is renowned for its history and service.

Traders Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar
223 Sule Pagoda Rd., Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

A 22-story behemoth, the Traders Hotel is visible from many areas of Yangon. Rooms are large, simple, and clean and the hotel is located in the heart of the downtown area near Yangon's Bogyoke Market. The hotel offers welcome drinks, buffet meals, a business center and a swimming pool.

Myanmar Flights

Pic title: AirBagan airplane (Link)

The three domestic airlines in Myanmar (formerly Burma) are Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, and Yangon Airways. Most major cities and regions in Myanmar can be reached by flying one of these airlines. Below is a list of common flights within Myanmar.

Flights to and from Yangon (formerly Rangoon):

- Flights from Yangon to Mandalay (Mandalay airport): Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways
- Flights from Yangon to Bagan (Nyaung U airport): Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways
- Flights from Yangon to Inle Lake (Heho airport): Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways
- Flights from Yangon to Tachilek: Air Bagan, Yangon Airways
- Flights from Yangon to Kenthung (Kyaing Tong airport): Air Bagan, Yangon Airways
- Flights from Yangon to Sandoway and Ngapali Beach (Thandwe airport): Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways

Bagan Mayanmar

Pic title: Burma! (Link)

Bagan is Myanmar's spectacular answer to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, and is the jewel of Myanmar. With three thousand temples in a 42 square kilometer valley, Bagan is truly a sight to behold. From small brick temples that dot the roadside to huge white stone temples with 50ft. Buddha statues, Bagan has a stunning variety of places to explore.

Bagan is the new Siem Reap

Photo title: Stupa Stupor!!
Link to flickr.

Angkor Wat is the world-reknown temple site in Cambodia near Siem Reap. Recently the New York Times magazine called Bagan the NEW Siem Reap and they're pretty close to right.

Bagan is the highly undiscovered valley of temples in central Myanmar (Burma). It's not directly accessible by international flights and only served by a few domestic flights a day. There are very few hotels and it's definitely off the beaten path.

Once you're there, you will not be disappointed however. The valley has over 3000 temples, some of them over 1000 years old. Best of all, they're spread out and mostly free to enter. You can stake out your own private tour and visit many of them in the presence of MAYBE a single monk, at best. It's wonderful and refreshing to see the beauty of Bagan by yourself, with very few touts and other unsavory characters.

Visa requirements for Myanmar

Photo title: kan-daw-gyi at sunset
Link to flickr.

Any trip to Myanmar requires a visa, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to visit. However, it's pretty easy to get a visa from the various Myanmar embassies around the world.

For US citizens, it's quick and easy to get a visa from the Myanmar Embassy in Washington DC. They usually turn around visa requests in a couple days and will use FedEx if you send them a FedEx label. The form is in PDF format on their site. Note that the link to "e-Visa" has been broken for years now and never fixed.

When filling out the form, you'll see lots of lines that don't make sense about sponsors and such. They're not important - just leave them blank. You should however include documentation of the hotels where you're staying at.

You must pay with money order and NOT personal check or credit card. Also, they're very critical that your passport MUST have 2 blank pages - they will not use the special "endorsements" pages at the back of most US passports and will deny you a visa without these extra pages.

It's also possible to get a visa in Bangkok but this is generally more difficult since the lines are erratic there and you may have to get up at 6AM to line up. The US embassy is the easiest method for the visa.

Yangon is Rangoon

Photo title: Sule Paya
Link to flickr.

In line with the name change from Burma to Myanmar it should be no surprise that many other city names were changed. The biggest change was that Rangoon became Yangon. The airport code is still RGN but maps and travel agencies refer to Yangon exclusively.

Myanmar is Burma

Photo title: shwedagon paya
Link to flickr.

For those that know the old name Burma, it's now known officially as Myanmar. In 1989, the government officially changed this name to the more traditional Myanmar from the anglicized Burma, given by colonialists in the last century.

Really though many in the country still call it Burma - perhaps it's a matter of gentle civil disagreement?

Welcome to Myanmar

Welcome to Myanmar!

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