Change money
at your hotel/guest house, the rate is sometimes competitive, when they take it outside to a money changer, inhouse rates can be quite low (eg. 850 vs 1020 in 2003).
There are many blackmarket money changers who will give a better rate.

In Yangon almost opposite the Foreign Exchange Bank (Mahabandoola Garden St. opp. Park) there are a few Restaurants, you will be approached or just ask quietly there to change money for a good rate, its a bit furtive, but found to be reliable.

Be careful with money changers on the street here, get the Kyat in your hand and count it before handing over your Dollars
You will also be approached often at the Bogyoke Zei Market. Larger notes (US$50/100) get a better rate.

Currency other than US$ can usually be changed also. eg. Thai Baht, Australia $, German, French, English, Euros can be changed in Yangon but not elsewhere.

Travellers Cheques:
Used to be able to change them into US$ at the Foreign Exchange Bank (Mahabandoola Garden St. opposite the Park) but it seems now you cannot.(hearsay, Jan. 2004, now confirmed 2005).
Unlikely that your hotel will accept them since they can't be changed anymore.

CREDIT CARDS: A few larger Hotels might accept the major Credit Cards. There are no ATM's or banks that will do advances on Credit Cards.

Jan 2004: The wonderful people of Burma are really hurting now, even more than before. Food prices are going up rapidly and supplies are going down. A good wage of 1000 Kyat a day is not enought to feed and keep a family.
A "good little earner" is the black market in petrol (gas). Daily ration for a car is 2 gallons at 180 Kyat per gallon. Blackmarket price is 1200 Kyat. Get your 2 gallons, siphon it out and resell it.

November 2002: All land border crossings are open.
October 1, 2002. Land crossings are currently closed. There is talk they may open in a few weeks.
Only way used to by air to Rangoon. Except for the 4 one-day only entry points at Mae Sai , Mae Sot, Three Pagodas Pass and Ranong (Thailand).
Chiang Mai to Mandalay is possible by Air Mandalay twice a week.

The land crossing from Ruili (China) to Mu Se (Myanmar) is apparently legal. I believe you have to find your way from Kunming to Ruili, in Mu Se you are out of bounds and have to go to Lashio immediately. No guarantees and its a long way back.

Also its possible that if you enter from Ranong to Kawthaung or Mae Sai (Thailand) to Tachilek, you are allowed to fly to Rangoon and maybe Mandalay, but you will need a Visa arranged beforehand.
at Tachilek for local travel with permissions they hold your passport until you come back, so its possible to go to Kyaing Tong (Kengtung) and back.
Mae Sai and other land crossings have been closed by Thailand a lot in the past years (2001-02) because of the fighting, Check first.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Yangon has direct air-links with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Jakarta, Dhakka, Calcutta, Kunming, Doha, Paro (Bhutan), Taipei, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Vientiane.

14 International Airlines including Myanmar Airways International operate scheduled flights in and out of Yangon, but some don't. Some are Thai Airways International,Air Asia, Silk Air, Biman (Bangladesh), Air China, Silk Air, Malaysian Airlines, Druk Air, Austrian Airlines, Indian Airlines, Mandarin Airlines .
Myanmar Airways International operates daily flights to Bangkok, thrice-weekly to Singapore and twice-weekly to Hong Kong.
Air Bagan have begun the Yangon - Bangkok hop and Yangon - Singapore.(2007).
They are also preparing to start daily flights on the Rangoon - Mandalay - Kunming route in August, twice weekly.
They will be followed by the launch in October of regular flights to Siem Reap in Cambodia

From Bangkok Biman are the cheapest but go only on Sunday.
Air Asia are the next cheapest, around 5000 Baht return, can vary, special price in Feb 2005 was 6000 Baht. There is an efficient Travel Agent up the road from the Myanmar Embassy Visa office (left side towards Silom Rd. look for Myanmar Airways sign).

New services are being introduced slowly, the government is encouraging the use of Mandalay now that it is an International Airport. Air Mandalay fly Chiang Mai to Mandalay 3 times a week (US$73), but can be intermittent if there is fighting on the border.
Lauda Air go from Austria to Mandalay with Visa on arrival.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS:

A guide only! Check current prices.

Airline Offices in Yangon (Rangoon)
AIR CHINA. 206 Bawga Lane, 9 miles, Mayangone. Tel: 662361 Fax:665119
AIR MANDALAY. 146 Dhamazedi Rd. Bahan Tsp. Tel: 282561 Fax: 525937 Airport Tel: 720309
INDIAN AIRLINES. 127 Sule Pagoda Rd. Dowtown. Tel: 253598 Fax: 248175
LAUDA AIR. 18th Floor, Wall St. Tower, Surawong Rd. Bangkok. Tel: 02-2670873
MALAYSIA AIRLINES. 335 Bogyoke Aung San St. Pabedan. Downtown. Tel: 241007 Fax: 241124
MANDARIN AIRLINES. 353 Bo Aung Kyaw St. Kyauktada. Downtown. Tel: 245484 Fax: 246330
MYANMAR AIRWAYS INTL. Sakura Tower. Bogyoke Aung San St. Downtown. Res Tel: 255440 Ticket Tel: 252010 Fax: 252012 sales@maiair.com.mm
PHUKET AIRLINES. 25th Floor, Lumphini Tower, Rama IV Rd. Bangkok. Tel: 02-662285 Fax: 02-6798236
THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL. Sakura Tower. Bogyoke Aung San St. Downtown. Tel: 255499 Fax: 255490 Airport Tel: 662661
BIMAN 106, Pansodan Street. Downtown. Tel: 275882
SILK AIR. 2nd Floor,Sakura Tower. Bogyoke Aung San Rd. Dowtown. Tel: 255287 Fax: 255290

DOMESTIC:
AIR MANDALAY. 146 Dhamazedi Rd. Bahan Tsp. Tel: 282561 Fax: 525937 Airport Tel: 720309
MYANMAR AIRWAYS. 104 Strand Rd. Kyauktada. Downtown. Tel: 274874 Fax: 289583
YANGON AIRLINES. 166, Level 5, MMB Tower, Upper Pansodan Rd. Mingalar taung Nyunt Tsp. Tel: 383106 Fax: 383109

Aeroflot 501-503, Pyay Road Tel: 20295
EVA Air No. 94 Bogalay Zay Tel: 96234, 61291
Air France 69,Sule Pagoda Road Tel: 74199,70736
North West Airlines 36,Shwebontha Street Tel: 81638

ON ARRIVAL:
2007. The new arrivals terminal is nearly finished and it now looks like a regular international airport.
January 2004: The change dollars into FEC has been abandoned. You can walk straight through from passport control to customs.

Previously holders of tourist Visas must change US$200 into Foreign Exchange Certificates, FEC,(one for one).

TAXI
2005: They now have a "Taxi Service" with a fixed rate of $5 to downtown. If you walk 20 metres to the road, others there will charge $3.
2004: to downtown from Airport has gone up to $3-4 or 3-4000 Kyat. About $3. Or 2000 Kyat when leaving.

When leaving you can't take precious religious items, regular Buddha images are OK, make sure you treat them with respect when packing, wrap in a clean cloth and pack at top of you bag. Any gems must have a receipt of purchase from a recognised shop. Customs inspections are fairly lax, but some people have had trouble with gems. There is also a big list of stuff like old coins, clay pipes,manuscripts, stone, pottery etc. Enforcement is variable.

VISAS:

Waiting for Lunch to finish. Bangkok. Busy times here can mean almost a whole day waiting to submit your forms. If you arrive after lunch and there are more than 40 people in the queue, forget it and come back early next day, they cant process that many in 3 hours.

Three types. Tourist, Business and Meditation.
Tourist visa
is good for 28 days. Enter anytime within 3 months of obtaining your visa.
Cost is US$20 maybe. Its about 950 Baht (2 days, 2 photos), 1250 baht approx. for next day and morefor same day service, from the Embassy in Bangkok, on Sathorn Rd. , Visa office is in the side street, Thanon Pan , runs between Sathorn Rd and Silom Rd, nearer the river end. 9am-12 and 1-3pm.
You now need 2 photos because of an extra arrival form to fill in at the Bankok offfice.
Overstay is $3 a day up to a week.
Extensions are not allowed inside Myanmar, 2005.
Previously: extensions of two weeks could be had for $36 at Immigration Office on 37th Street.
Longer than two weeks might be possible with the help of a local Travel Agent.
Get a letter of recommendation from your hotel first, then go to Myanmar Travel & Tourism (MTT) with it, they do something, then go to the Immigration Office.

Business Visa: 1400 Baht in Bangkok, good for 10 weeks. Require a letter of introduction from a business in Myanmar, stating purpose of your visit, to go with Visa application, fill out two copies and supply four photos.

Meditation visa: no time restriction, no FEC. Pre-arrangement with a Monastery or meditation centre with sponsor letter is required with your visa application. Can take a long time for approval.
Do not use this unwisely. The sponsor becomes responsible for reporting your whereabouts to the government etc. It should not be used as an alternative to a tourist visa.
www.myanmarembassycanberra.com - Official site with downloads of Visa Application forms

Depending on what your visa application says about your job, you may actually be watched and/or approached by a helpful stranger who will try to elicit your political sympathies. These men and women are mostly pretty amateurish. Maybe they are working on an advanced spy school, this doesn't seem to happen so much now (2003)
Otherwise be sensible. there are some areas of Rangoon away from downtown where bad guys hang out.

Shan State: Inle Lake, Kalaw, Lashio, Pindaya, Taunggyi, Lawksawk are all O.K. Tachilek and Kyaingtong (Kengtung) only by air.

Mon State: Kyaiktiyo down to Hpa-an, Mawlamyine (Moulmein) and Thanbyuzayat are O.K. by road.

Kayin State: Hlaingbe, Thamanya are allowed by road.

Ayeryarwaddy Division, Bago Division, Magwe Division, Mandalay Division (except Mogok, permission needed), Rakhine State are all O.K.

Sagaing Division: Kyaukka, Twin Tang, Yeshantwin, Yinmabin, Alaungdaw Kassapa, Phoewuntaung, Monwa and Budalin are all permitted by road. Kalay is byair, Hkamti by air and boat, Homalin by boat; for these last three you can't leave the town area and are getting very remote, if you tried to go by boat it could take a very, very long time.

Kachin State (far north), Bhamo (by air and boat, road is not allowed).Hopeng, Inndawgyi , Mogaung and Mohnyin (by train). Myitkyina (air & train), some towns around Myitkyina are allowed. Putao is accessible by air but very special permission would be required.

Kayin State. Number one no-go is the Thai border area east of Moulmein and Thanbyuzayat, this is the Yadana gas pipeline construction area and the main hideout for Kayin (Karen) rebels.

Kayah State (below Shan State) is not allowed now (Jan 2003, sporadic mortars or something around Loikaw) contrary to info you might get in Yangon. This includes Loikaw, the road from Taunggyi to Toungoo is beautiful apparently.

Shan state near the the Thai border, east of Taunggyi, (poppy country) is possibly dangerous, you can't go past Taunggyi. Lashio (upper Shan State) is as far as you can go on that road. Some travellers report successfully entering from China at Mu Se, and being told to go to Lashio immediately.

The Chin hills, west of Mandalay, are remote and mysterious and forbidden. Except for a local Tour company that has permission.

Water is not drinkable, bottled water can be found almost everywhere. Food from the street stalls and cheaper restaurants can be suspect. Make sure its freshly and fully cooked. Watch out for uncooked salads etc, they may be washed in tap water.

DESTINATIONS IN MYANMAR (Burma):
RANGOON (Yangon): Capital city of about 5 million people, though it doesn't seem big. Very few high-rise buildings. The amazing Schwedagon Pagoda is 5km north of downtown. Sule pagoda is right in the middle of town. Walking around is always interesting with the distinct shop areas, tea shops and street stalls.

BAGAN:The wonderful 11th century centre of the kingdom. Hundreds of Pagodas and temples in varying states of repair. On the banks of the Ayeryarwaddy River (Irawaddy). Very quiet and slow. Explore by bicycle or horsecart. Nearby (20 miles) is Mt. Popa, home of the ancient Nats (Spirits) belief, temples cover the top of this steep little mountain.

MANDALAY:After Bagan, Mandaly and nearby "cities" (Amarapura,Ava,Sagaing,Mingun)were the Palace sites. A low rise spread out town on the Ayeryarwaddy River overlooked by Mandalay Hill. Lots of pagodas and monasteries. Mahamuni Pagoda is the most revered where the Mahamuni Buddha image is housed.

MAYMYO: Ex British Hill Station up in the hills outside Mandalay. Very quiet and slow. Old british houses, pine trees,a golf course, market. Explore further up to Kalaw and Lashio - getting remote !

INLE LAKE:Beautiful and serene expanse of water high in the hills of lower Shan state.Boat trips to the monasteries, "floating" market and floating gardens.

PINDAYA CAVES: From Kalaw turn north at Aungban. The caves are packed with countless Buddha images gathered over the centuries. Admission $3. From Kalaw and Pindaya it is possible to do day treks to nearby villages 9Palaung,Pao,Danu, Taungyo), guides available from Guest Houses or Hotels.

PAH DALIN CAVES: Situated in Ywa Ngan township in the Shan States. But easier to approach from Mandalay Division because it lies less than 4 milesfrom the boundary. From Ku Me, a town on the Yangon-mandalay road (40 miles north of Meiktila, 55 miles south of Mandalay), there is a road heading 22 mile eastward until it reaches a reservoir.After a 30 minute boat ride and an hour trekking through a pristine forest you will find the caves.

KYAIKTIYO: The revered Golden Rock Pagoda balanced on the edge of a cliff. 3-4 hour bus ride from Yangon.

NGAPALI BEACH: The most popular beach in Myanmar. But still there is not much there except a nice 3km long beach. A few other small beaches around the headlands. There are lots of Hotels on the beach and a few cheaper resorts. Fly to Thandwe (50 mins) or take buses from Yangon to Thandwe (15+ hours) obviously the roads are not good with those travel times. See Ngapali Beach page.

CHAUNGTHA BEACH: 36km West of Pathein. 30 minutes up the road from Pathein you cross the river by ferry ($5 return). About 15 Resort Hotels, 10 or so cheap Guesthouses and fresh seafood restaurants. See Chaungtha Beach page.

MRAUK U: (pron: "Myauk Oo"). Once the centre for one of Myanmar's most powerful kingdoms. Mrauk U straddles the Aungdat Chaung, a tributary of the Kaladan River 72km from the coast.The Rhakine King Minzawmun founded Mrauk U in 1433, though legend gives the area a 3000 year history. A network of canals allowed access by large boats.

Today the city lies in ruins and a small basic town has grown next to the old city site.The biggest event is the Paya Pwe (Pagoda festival) in mid-May.Walls and gatewaysof sandstone blocks are all that is left of the Mrauk U Royal Palace. A ststue of Dvarapala (temple guardian) has been taken from one the nearby ruins and enshrined here as a Nat (spirit). A museum within the old palace walls contains a good collection of religious sculpture and other artefacts from the area.

Shittaung: this is the most complex of the surviving temples though its been restored losing some of its charm. Built in 1535 by King Minbin, the most powerful of the Rhakine kings, the name means 'Shrine of the 80,000 images", a reference to the number of sacred images inside. A maze-loike floorplan suggests the shrine was originally used for tantric-like initiation rituals. Bring a torch or pay for the generator to be turned on.

Dukkanthein: Standing on a bluff 100m opposite and to the west of Shittaung. Dukkanthein looks like a huge bunker from the outside. Simple dome-shaped stupas similar to those at Shittaung stand atop treceding terraces over a large slope-sided sanctuary.

Andaw Paya: This smaller eight sided monument features 16 zedis aligned in a square cornered U shape around the south, north and west platforms. Inside is a dark chamber, where Buddha images are guarded by Hindu deities.Ratanabon Paya: The largest stupa in the area stands just north of Andaw Paya. Damaged by WWII bombing, it has been restored.

SITTWE: A port city at the mouth of the Kaladan River, where it flows into the Bay of Bengal. Offshore delta islands form a wide protected channel that has served as an important harbour for many centuries.Sittwe has at least a 2000 year history of habitation, though in its modern form it started as trading city 200 years ago, further developed after the British occupation in 1826.

Highly revered Payagyi sits in the centre of town and feautures a large plain shed supported by pillars decorated with glass mosaic.A large sitting image of Buddha beneath the shelters was cast in 1900 in the Rhakine style.

The Buddhistic Museum on the grounds of th Mahakuthala Kyaungthawgyi, is the best place in Myanmar to view Rhakine style Buddha images.Admission is free.
The new Rhakine State Cultural Museum is worth a look. Admission is $2. The Point: a land projection at the confluence of the Kaladan river and Bay of Bengal. A large terrace constructed over the flat sandstone point catches a breeze in the afternoon. South-west of the Point is a beach area with grey-brown sand.

Getting to Sittwe:
AIR. Air Mandalay flies Yangon Sittwe on Wednesday and Sunday (maybe $90). Myanmar Airways on Tuesday and Friday.
BOAT. Malikha Express in Sittwe (tel:23441) ferries from Sittwe to Taunggok (north of Ngapali) on Wednesday and Sunday (7am, 9 hours, maybe $40), makes a stop at the island of Ramree.

MOGOK: 200km north of Mandaly. the main gem mining (rubies and sapphires) and marketing centre. Very scenic in the hills. Approved tour groups can go there. Independant travellers can try to get a permit, no guarantee though.

CHIN STATE: Remote and sparsely populated. Only approved tour groups are permitted.
Chin State belongs to the western hill system of Myanmar lying form North to South. The total area is 13,907 square miles and practically there is no plain nor table land in Chin State. Prominent hill ranges in Chin State are Laitha Toung hill ranges, Inbokalan Taung hill range, Yaunkalan Taung hill range which ran between the Chindwin and Manipore rivers. The summit of Mount Victoria is 10,400 feet high.

Depending upon the dialects they speak, Chins are differentiated as Kathe Chin, Chin ordinary, Skakuki Chin , Northern Chin, middle Chin, Southern Chin etc.
There are 44 varieties of Chin languages and dialects.
Majority of Chins are Buddhist. Taung Zalet (rhododendron) trees which bloom cordially in early winter are one of the natural beauties of Chin State.

Simple and frank chins regard the Great Hornbill bird as the model for loyalty.
Chin new year festival is held annually in Chin State on the waxing moon of the month Kason, May. And its festival is performed a dance making farewell to the old year and welcoming new year. Wishing everyone new life with new vitality and happiness.

These is a dance called Sa Lan which is performed by beautiful maidens.It is the dance to memorize the conquest over the enemies, the killing of wild enemies and to celebrate the victory over the enemies Sa ice festival dances victory over wild game.

PUTAO: Base for the snow-capped mountains in the extreme north.Unique for citrus fruits and the local ethnic groups of Rawan, Lesu, Jingphaw and Tibetans. Camping, trekking and bird-watching tours are available from operators in Yangon. Hkakabo Razi at 5881m is the highest peak in South east Asia. Get there by plane on Sunday/Monday/Wednesday/Friday from Yangon.

MYITKYINA: Capital of Kachin State. Set in a wide flat valley. Hot, wet or cold depending on the season. Plenty of villages nearby. Myit-son 45km north is at the confluence of the Maikha and Malikha rivers forms the start of the the Ayeryarwaddy river. A couple of Guest Houses about $5-10. Fly from Yangon or Mandalay (via Bhamo). Government and private trains from Mandalay ($27-60) take from 24 to 48 hours depending on circumstances. Road travel is not allowed.

BHAMO: 5km east of town is the remains of the old Shan kingdom Sampanago.The daily market brings Lisu, Kachin and Shan people from the surrounding area. Two hotels at about $5. Fly from Mandalay (Monday, Thursday). Beautiful scenery between Katha and Bhamo. Boat 3 times a week goes both ways to/from Mandalay. Two days upriver, one day downriver, but variable if the river is low. About $60.

MAWLYAMYINE (Moulmein): The main town in Mon State. Briefly the capital for the British occupation, a very cosmopolitan history, old Mosques, a Christian cemetary and Buddhist temples. Overnight bus from Yangon (12+ hours, 5000 Kyat). Daily train from Yangon ($17).

Fly on Wednesday or Saturday (via Dawei). The train stops at Moattama and you cross the river by ferry/boat, but the bus goes all the way to Mawlamyine via a bridge near Hpa-an

Its safe to go to Thanbyuzayat by road. Any further it would be wise to get a local guide and check the recent security situation. There has been trouble in the past with freelance bandits. Thanbyuzayat is the where the infamous Thai-Burma Railway finished, there is a war cemetary there.

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGOTanintharyi Division.
A string of over 800 islands between Myeik (Mergui) and Kawthaung at the very southern tip of Myanmar.
This area has been off-limits for a long time. Myeik is accessible by air from Yangon and sometimes by boat from Yangon and Kawthaung.

Some tour companies, operating from Phuket usually, have permission to run charter boat cruising/diving tours from Kawthaung around the islands. The tours are expensive. e.g. $4895 (6 members) for 12 days. See Travel Agents for links.

There are excellent diving/snorkelling places. Clear water and corals.
Lumpi Island can be reached from Myeik, about 90 nautical miles southwest, 30 miles west from Bokpyin and 60 miles northwest from Kawthaung. This beautiful island of Lumpi is totally untouched; with a rich history of maritime trade and mysticism.

The archipelago is virtually isolated but you will find the islands and surrounding seas alive with amazing diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna. Parrots, hornbills, sea eagles Brahming kites and herons fill the skies.On land, the animal population includes monkeys, wild cattle, elephants, deer, wild pigs, crocodiles, tigers and rhinoceros.

The Salone people, a group living part of the time on a few littoral area on the fringes of the Andaman sea and part of the time on their boats, wandering about among the Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in a nomadic existence that has caused them to become known as the sea gypsies. There are no more then five thousand Salons left in the world today scattered over the Myeik Achipelago as well as some parts at the Andaman Sea

The sea Gypsies have been the sole inhabitants of the Mergui Archipelago over the years and they still use the same fishing and boat building techniques which they have been using for many generations.
Lumpi offers a great variety of breathtaking scenery and wildlife, with more luxuriant ever green forests, beach and dune forests, tidal mangroves, magnificent beaches and spectacular coral formation. Special requirement for travelling Myeik (Mergui) Archipelagos: A special pre-approved authorization is required for any foreign tourists to travel to the island of Mergui Archipelagos and the admission fee is USD 80 per person for travelling from Kawthaung up to Lampi Island and USD 120 per person for travelling down from Myeik or up from Kawthaung to Myeik.

Normally, it takes about 5 working days to get the permission and a full details of clients like names, passport numbers, date of issue, date of expire, place of issue, nationality, date of birth, professional, contact address and a detail of pre-arranged itinerary and an application letter from an authorized local travel agent is required.

MYEIK
Myeik is included in Tanintharyi Division; you can see ancient prominent pagodas and stupas. You can see Pathettaung (Reclining Buddha Image) which are well known in Myeik. If you take a boat trip to Myeik, on the approach to Myeik you'll notice that wooden hill offshore fishing vessels called warthann are very similar to ancient sea going vessels of 17th century.

There is the daily regular express coastal boat service to Myeik from Dawei and Kawthaung and also a direcly regular air service by Air Bagan for three times a week. According to the characteristics of port cities, Myeik is busy with small and large boats in the morning. Beside, you can pay homage the Reclining Buddha Image, the grace and glory of Myeik on Pahtet isle.

At the harbors of Myeik, ships, speed boats and fishing vessels are closely quad in a long line. Relying on the sea, cold storage factories for packaging fish and prawn, ice factories and warehouses are built along the bank. The house of bird-nests is a rare and unique thing to see in Myeik.

The local people are very much devoted to religion. The LayGyunSeMee Pagoda in Myeik is very sublime. Its festival is thronged with visitors. Beik evening Bazaar is one of the Beauty in Myeik night scene. The reclining Buddha Image in PaHtaw PaHtat island, which is on the other bank of Myeik, is also very sublime

DAWEI
Dawei, in Tanintharyi Division, is a coastal region lies in Southern part of Myanmar with an area of more than 2,600 square miles. Various nationalities such as Bamar, Mon, Kayin, Rakhine and Shan totaling over 120,000 are residing in Dawei. Dawei is dotted with famous historical pagodas and can be accessible with all means of transportation.

A place to visit in Dawei is Maungmakan Beach, a well-known beauty spot of Myanmar, which is about 10 miles from Dawei. As Dawei is in the coastal region, fisheries become the mainstay of the economy there. Sea-fish and prawn are sufficient enough not only for local consumption but also for the international market. Most local people make their living by trading in regional goods. Some have rubber, oil palm, cashew and mango plantations and they also cultivate paddy.

KAWTHAUNG
Kawthaung is included in Tanintharyi Division in the southernmost part of the Union of Myanmar. At the mouth of Parchan river there is Kawthaung Cape (Formerly Victoria Point) which is in the southern most part of Myanmar.
Half of the town is going up along the slope.The town is an important border point with products such as seafood, palm oil and rubber.You can observe the states of King Bayintnaung in Kawthaung which is a symbol of Myanmar Patriotism.

The world's largest pearl was discovered in the Makha lauk pearl oyster exploration area in the north west of Zardatgyi Island in Kawthaung Township.
Kawthaung is the international border check-point and someone can enter from Kawthaung with a valid visa and departure back from Kawthaung or other international check-points at Yangon, Mandalay, Tachileik or Muse. And the one who entered from other international check-points can also exist from Kawthaung.

Pre-arranged visa on arrival is also available in Kawthaung check-point.

ELECTRICITY WARNING:
Myanmar electricity is very dangerous. If you are using a laptop computer or other appliances, bring a quality spike protector with you. The nominal 220V can be from 300-100 when it is on. In Jan 2001 almost full-time electricity in Yangon, a big change from 2 years ago.

Jan 2003 Frequent selective blackouts rotate around Yangon. Nat Mauk Rd is dark because the people complained about wasting electricity on a street when their homes have none.
Lots of popular tourist destinations have rationing. Chaungtha Beach has none in the daytime. Inle Lake/Nyaung Schwe has some daytime black spots. Mawlamyine has none in the daytime. Mandalay and Bagan have some problems too.

Major hotels should have regulators, step-up transformers and generators, but smaller ones may not.

Electronic Spare parts can be found in the Anawrahta St - 22nd St. area.
You cannot buy small transformers, you have them rewound. You can buy the common plugs, capacitors, transistors; nothing too exotic.

Rainy season, from mid-May to end of October, with annual rain fall of less than 10 inches in Central Myanmar while the coastal regions of Rakhine and Thanintharyi get about 200 inches.

Winter, which starts from November to end of February with temperature in hilly areas with an elevation of over 3000 feet drops below 32 ° F (0 ° C). As a whole, the location and topography of the country generate a diversity of climate conditions. Low lying areas are warm in the day, direct sun is quite hot, but its pleasant in the shade, nightime is usually cool to warm, more than a shirt is not often needed, catching a bus at 4am you might need a light jacket/sweater.

Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create summer, rainy and winter seasons. Daily extremes of temperature are rare.
The direction of winds and depression bring rains, and in some years severe storms occur causing damage in Rakhine region. In Rakhine and Tharintharyi regions, rain fall varies from year to year though it is always heavy.

January 4 Independence Day
February 12 Union Day
March 2 Peasant's Day
March Full Moon Day of Tabaung
March 27 Armed Forces Day
April Thingyan (Water Festival and Myanmar New Year)
May 1 May Day (Workers Day)
May Full moon Day of Kason
July Beginning of Buddhist Lent
July 19 Martyrs' Day
October End of Buddhist Lent(Lights Festival)
November Tazaungdaing (Lights Festival)
November National Day
Dec/Jan Kayin New Year
December 25 Christmas Day
Idul Athwaha. The date varies according to myanmar calendar year.
Dewali . The date varies according to myanmar calendar year.
The date is notified separately.

Festivals form the core of Myanmar social and religious activities. Full moon day of each month of Myanmar calendar has its own festive occasion.

Thingyan Water Festival:
This traditional festival falls around 13th April and ushers to the Myanmar New Year. It is the merriest festival held for three or four days when people pour water over one another and there is much singing and dancing at decorated pandals. Boys and girls also go round in cars and enjoy themselves splashing water at one another. Pouring water is believed to cleanse the body and mind of evils of the year that was left behind.

There is merriment and fun galore. But it is not all fun and play; the elderly and the pious perform a lot of meritorious deeds to usher in the New Year. People keep Sabbath; go to pagodas; and offer food and alms to monks. Children and youths too welcome the New Year by paying respects to their parents, teachers and elders. To gain merit, fish and cattle are also set free. Through merriment and fun and through meritorious and pious deeds, the Myanmars usher in a New Year.

The Kason Festival:
It falls on the full moon day of Kason according to the Myanmar Calendar (early May). The full moon of Kason is a day of threefold significance - the day the Buddha was born, the day He attained Enlightenment and the day of His demise. Men and women of all ages go to pagodas in procession to pour water on the sacred Bo Tree. This is done as a mark of veneration to the Buddha who attained Enlightenment sitting under the Bo Tree.

The Waso Festival:
Full moon day of Waso in July commemorates the Buddha's first sermon. It also marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent. New robes and other temporal requirements are offered to the monks in the pomp and pageantry. Young people also go out and gather flowers of the season to offer at the pagodas.

Thadingyut Festival (Festival of Lights):
This festival held on the full moon day of Thadingyut in October marks the end of the Budditst Lent. It lasts for three days during which houses and streets in cities and towns are brilliantly illuminated. Pagodas are also crowded with people doing meritorious deeds. It is not only a time of joy but also of thanks giving and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders.

Elephant Dance Festival:
En route from Yangon to Mandalay, there lies a thriving town called 'Kynuk-se in Upper Myanmar -- situated some 26 miles to the south of Mandalay. This town is noted particularly for the elephant dance which is performed at annual Light Festival in the month of Thadingyut (October). The main feature of this festival is the elepant dance accompanied by colourful pegeantries -- on live size white paper elephant decked with regal trappings carries on its back a replica of the sacred Tooth of Buddha or some relies of an Arahat while a black paper elephant follows as the finale of the procession. Each of these paper elephants is borne and animated by two men inside. The black paper elephant dance merrily to the procession music and thus it is the centre of attraction during the carnival.

Nowadays, the elephant dance no longer sticks to its native town alone. It has become one of the highlights in many auspicious celebrations throughout the country.

Tazaungdaing Festival:
This festival is held on the full moon day of Tazaungmon according to the Myanmar Calendar (mid-November). Houses and public buildings are colourfully illuminated everywhere. Kathina robes and other requisites are offered to the Holy Order at Kahtein festival (ceremony of offering robes to monks). The offering of Mathothigan is held on the eve of the Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon. Mathothingan is a robe that is woven in a day. Today, teams of weavers compete with one another to complete weaving robes overnight. The woven robes are then offered to the great images of Buddha.

Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival:
The festival of Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda in In-le Lake in the Shan State held in October is the biggest occasion of the Lake. The images of the Buddha from Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda are placed on an decorated royal barge called Karaweik (Mythical bird) and taken around the Lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. The festival is held with great pomp and pageantry. Fun fairs and dances are also held. The unique and most interesting event of the festival, is of course, the holding of boat races participated by leg-rowers,both men and women.

Pagoda Festivals:
Pagoda festivals are held for each pagoda. These festivals could be viewed as the Myanmar equivalent of western fun fairs. In a Pagoda festival, one can find food stalls, toy shops, shops selling sundry consumer goods, magic shows, puppet shows and dramas. People young and old simply love to have a stroll around the place where there is a pagoda festival.
Ananda Pagoda Festival at Bagan, full moon January is very big and fascinating.

TABAUNG - March Full Moon
Manuha Pagoda festival, Pagan
Maymyo Nat festival - 1st to 5th days of waning moon of Tabaung, for Ko Myo Shin.
Shwesettaw Pagoda festival, west bank of Irrawaddy, opposite Prome (continues until Tagu)
Aungban (near Kalaw, Shan States) Shwe-Ohn-Hmin Pagoda festival
Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon - ceremony to celebrate enshrinement of Sacred Hair Relic
Shwenattaung Pagoda Festival, Prome
13-17 April 1995 (varies from year to year) - Thingyan Water Festival for the Burmese New Year
Like the Thai Songkran. Most fun in Mandalay and Rangoon. But no fun at all if you don't enjoy having cold dirty water poured down your neck (Foreigners are a particular target and you are expected to grin and bear it).
Mount Popa Nat festival, held from the night of the 13th to noon of 14th waxing moon of Tagu - to celebrate return of Taungbyone brothers from China

TAGU - April Full moon
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival, Pegu
Kutheinaryon Pagoda Festival, Salin (West Bank of Irrawaddy, SW of Pagan) begins 8th/9th day of waxing moon of Kason, continues until 9th/10th waning day.
Kyaukse Nat festival held on 14th day of waning moon to new moon of Tagu, to honour Shwe Sagadaw (Kyaukse is on the main road between Meiktila and Mandalay)

TABODWE - February Full moon
Kyaikkasan, Kyaikkalo and Kyaikwaing pagoda festivals, Rangoon: all take place in the month of Tabodwe.
Mawdinsoun Pagoda festival, SW tip of Burma (boat trip from Bassein) (also Tabaung). The pagoda is on a beach.
Zee-daw Nat festival for Ye Yin Kadaw (cross Chindwin river at Monywa and travel 22km along Yemabin road. Held at Zeedaw and Maungdon on 8th day of waning moon to new moon,and 1st to 7th days of waxing moon of Tabaung.
Pakkhan Nat festival (Pakkhan is on west bank of the lower Chindwin river, between Pakokku and Pandawbyin), held from 1st to 16th days of waxing moon of Tabaung in honour of U Min Kyaw.
Ahlone Nat festival for Ma Ngwe Daung (12 km north of Monywa on the Shwebo road): 7th day of waning moon to new moon of Tabaung.
Ava Nat festival, for Thon Ban Hla: 10th day of waxing moon to full moon of Tabaung.
Taunbyone Nat Festival (NB not the main one) held on 10th and 11th days of waxing moon of Tabaung, to celebrate the return of the Taungbyone brothers.
Mingun Nat festival (north-west of Mandalay, 1 hour by boat) 5th to 10th days of waxing moon of Tabaung, for the Brother and Sister of the Teak Tree.
Sameikkon Nat festival (east bank of Irrawaddy, due north of Myingyan) to honour Shin Nemi, held from 10th day of waxing to full moon of Tabaung.
Bawgyo Pagoda festival, 17 miles from Kyaukme, 5 miles to Hsipaw, Shan States - the main festival in Shan states, and the most revered pagoda in Northern Shan States (the Paung-daw-oo at Inle Lake being the most revered in the South). Held from the 10th waxing day of Tabaung to the first waning day.

NAYON - June Full Moon
Mahlaing (Pan-aing) Shwemudaw Pagoda festival held from 8th waxing day of Nayon to 8th waning day of Nayo. Mahlaing is 23 miles from Meiktila on the road to Myingyan. Pan-aing is 2 miles off the road. Typical up-country pagoda festival. Festival market specialises in cotton, tobacco (both locally grown) and toys.
Thihoshin festival, Pakokku (north of Pagan on west bank of Irrawaddy) also held from 8th waxing day of Nayon to 8th waning day of Nayo, with traditionalplays (although not, for the last few years, puppet shows). Local specialities include thanakha logs, jaggery, longyis and checked cotton and wool blankets. The pagoda is said to have been built by King Alaunsitthu.

WAGAUNG - August - Full moon
Taungbyone Nat (spirit) festival, 10 miles north of Mandalay (from 10th day of waxing to full moon of Wagaung). Burma's most famous nat festival which any nat-gadaw ('nat wife' or medium) worth his or her salt must attend. Lasts six days. Very crowded and boisterous. Watch out for pickpockets.
Amarapura Nat festival (south of Mandalay)- Irinaku/Yadanagu pwe, for Popa Medaw, mother of the Taungbyone brothers. 7th day of waning moon of Wagaung to new moon.
Myittha Nat festival (between Mandalay and Meiktila) - 8th day of waxing moon until full moon of Tawthalin, in honour of the nat Shwe Nabe
Mount Popa Nat festival - from 9th to 13th days of waning moon of Wagaung - to celebrate departure of Taungbyone brothers for China

TAWTHALIN - September Full Moon
Inle Lake leg-rowing festival and Paung-daw-oo Pagoda festival (held between Tawthalin and Thadingyut). The pagoda festival is held on or around the full moon of Thadingyut. The Buddha images are taken from village to village around Inle Lake. The tour lasts about 19 days.

NATTAW - December Full Moon
Mount Popa Nat Festival Full moon to 6th waning day - Mount Popa - for Mahagiri
Full Moon to 5th waning day - Prome - for the Prome Brothers
Taungbyone Nat festival, 14th day of waxing until full moon, for the Taungbyone brothers. The shrine is opened at the end of the afternoon and on the following day, King Anawrahta's proclamation is read, originally made after his departure to China in quest after the Buddha's tooth relic.