Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Big Buddhist sights and ancient ruins can make for good learning experiences, including
Yangon's Shwedagon Paya, the reclining buddhas in Bago, or the 10-storey buddha in
Pyay. You can climb into the back of the lacquered buddha image at Nan Paya in Salay.
»
Some kids might dig ruins of old palace walls and moats, which you can see at places
like Bagan and Mrauk U.
»
Indulge in some face painting by trying on
thanakha
(yellow sandalwood-like paste),
which is sold and applied from sidewalk stands around the country.
»
There are zoos in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay as well as excellent bird- watch-
ing at the Moeyungyi Wetlands near Bago.
»
Traditional puppet shows are performed in Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay as well as oth-
er places.
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Beaches at Ngapali, Chaung Tha and Ngwe Saung and Southern Myanmar.
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Myanmar's festivals, such as Thingyan in mid-April with its throwing of water, and
Taunggyi's fire-balloon festival in October or November, can be a lot of fun.
PRACTICALITIES
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Connect (when it's working) to the electricity supply (230V, 50Hz AC). Many ho-
tels have generators (some run at night only). Local power sources in many towns
are scheduled for night hours only.
»
Read the daily English-language newspaper Myanma Freedom, the weekly Myan-
mar Times(
www.mmtimes.com
)
and the online Democratic Voice of Burma
(
www.dvb.no
).
»
Bring a short-wave radio and listen, like many locals, to BBC and VOA broadcasts.
»
Watch satellite TV - you'll often find CNN, BBC World, Al Jazeera and other news
and entertainment channels at hotels.
»
Petrol is sold by the gallon; distances are in miles, not kilometres; 1 Burmese viss
or 100 tical= 3.5lb; 1 gaig= 36in.
Customs Regulations
For the vast majority of visitors, clearing customs is a breeze, but it's important to be
aware of the restrictions; for further details see
www.myanmarcustoms.gov.mm
.
Any foreign currency in excess of $2000 is supposed to be declared upon entry.
Besides personal effects, visitors are permitted to bring duty free:
