Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
myanmartourism.org
Official tourism website with general background information in-
cluding a list of places that are off limits or require permits (although this may be out of
date).
myanmartourismwatch.org
Background information on abuses related to the tourism
industry,particularlytheuseofforcedlabourtobuildtourismprojectsandtheexpropriation
of land.
seat61.com/Burma
The Myanmar page of this excellent website covering all things
railway-related in Myanmar.
tourismtransparency.org
Excellent background and unrivalled information on respons-
ible travel in Myanmar.
Travellers with disabilities
Myanmar is poorly set up for travellers with disabilities, although with a bit of determination
and pre-planning you can still enjoy much that the country has to offer. Getting around is
the first challenge. Public
transport
by bus or train is a total non-starter for disabled travel-
lers, meaning that you'll have to contact a local or foreign
tour operator
to arrange for suit-
able transport by private vehicle. The various domestic airlines should be able to take care
of you, however, given appropriate notice of any special requirements. Specially adapted
ac-
commodation
isalsovirtuallynonexistent,althoughgiventhatmostaccommodationoutside
Yangon and Mandalay is typically laid out in one-storey bungalow-style buildings, accessib-
ility, at least, shouldn't be a major obstacle.
In terms of
sights
, many of the major ones in Yangon and Mandalay are relatively ac-
cessible, although the densely crowded pavements of downtown will present serious diffi-
culties. Burmese temples aretypically setatthetopoflongflights ofsteps,although someof
the biggest (including the Shwedagon in Yangon) have lifts, making them easily accessible.
Many of Bagan's temples are also relatively easy to visit, often with fewer steps (and, in any
case, it's often the exteriors of these temples and the surrounding landscape that provide the
main draw).
River cruises
should also be possible on dedicated tourist boats (but not public
ferries), though this does not really extend to Inle Lake, where vessels are small, narrow and
difficult to balance at the best of times - the lack of decent safety equipment makes things a
little risky.
