Myanmar Country Quickfacts
| Area: | 676,578 km2 |
| Capital: | Naypyidaw |
| Country Code: | 95 |
| Country Population: | 51,419,420 |
| Credit Cards: |
Visitors to Myanmar are recommended to use the local currency, Myanmar Kyat (MMK), for all purchases, in some places US$ will be accepted but must be clean crisp notes with no tears. |
| Currency: | Kyat (pronounced CHAT) |
| Departure Tax: | A tax of $10USD is collected for international departures. |
| Drives on the: | Right |
| Electricity: | 220 volts AC, 50 Hz |
| Ethnic Groups: | 68% Bamar 9% Shan 7% Karen 4% Rakhine 3% Chinese 2% Indian 2% Mon 5% other |
| Flag: |  |
| Location: | South-East Asia (formerly Burma). |
| Official Language(s): | Myanmar plus local dialects. English is widely spoken. |
| Religion: | 87% Buddhist, 5% Christian, 4% Muslim. |
| Time Zone: | 10.5 hours ahead of Toronto/New York and 13.5 hours ahead of Vancouver/Los Angeles. |
| Tipping: | Tipping is at your own discretion and we recommend the following: (all rates quoted in US$) • Guide: $5 per person per day (group) and $10 per person per day (FIT) • Driver: $3 per person per day (group) and $5 per person per day (FIT) • Hotel Porterage: $1 per bag • Restaurant staff: Service charge is normally included. $5-10 per table at top end restaurants and $2-3 per table at local restaurants is appreciated • Boat drivers (Inle Lake & Bagan): $1 per person • Horse Cart driver: $1 per person • River Cruises (Road to Mandalay): $10 per person per day for the whole crew • River Cruises (others): $5 per person per day for the whole crew • Balloons Over Bagan: $5 per person per day for the whole crew |
MORE FUN FACTS
- There are no families or surnames in Burma
- The giving of a name depends on the day of the week a child was born. The name must include one or more of the birth day’s consonants. There is one group for each day of the week (which incidentally has 8 days, Wednesday is divided into two days for astrological purposes)
- Around Pagodas, there are shrines for each of the 8 days and it is auspicious to worship at one relevant shrine
- The Burmese lunar calendar has exactly 28 days in each month
- Festivals take place according to the position of the moon – usually the full moon day
- The Burmese celebrate at least one festival a month
- Pagodas (stupas) or Temples were conceived as visual monuments to Buddha. Generally, they don’t have an interior. They are cosmic symbols, their presence benefits mankind and their construction will benefit a donor’s rebirth (merits) … to eventual enlightenment. This is why Burma’s landscape is littered with millions of them
- Burmese people put great faith in nats (spirits)
- Every house (note every) has a family shrine to the Lord Buddha and household nats
Myanmar Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Myanmar.
Learn about the history and culture of Myanmar, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Myanmar's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Myanmar for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Myanmar tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Myanmar tour considers taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages, India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
Book your Myanmar tour with Goway!
ASIA by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Myanmar tours and experiences. Choose from a small group tour, a cruise through the heart of Myanmar, an independent travel module, and much more. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Myanmar.
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