Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Women Travellers
As in most Buddhist countries, foreign women travelling in Myanmar are rarely hassled on
the road as they might be in India, Malaysia or Indonesia. However, we have heard a few
reports of sexual harassment. Dressing modestly should help reduce this risk: wear a loc-
al
longyi
instead of a skirt above the knee, and a T-shirt instead of a spaghetti-strap sing-
let.
Few Myanmar women would consider travelling without at least one female companion,
so women travelling alone are regarded as slightly peculiar by the locals. Lone women
being seen off on boats and trains by local friends may find the latter trying to find a suit-
ably responsible older woman to keep them company on the trip.
If you didn't bring tampons, one good place to find them is Yangon's City Mart Super-
market.
'Ladies' (per the posted signs in certain areas) cannot go up to some altars or onto
decks around stupas, including the one affording a close-up look at the famous Golden
Rock at Kyaiktiyo, or apply gold leaf on the Buddha image at Mandalay's Mahamuni
Paya. Also, women should never touch a monk; if you're handing something to a monk,
place the object within reach of him, not directly into his hands.
Most locals tend to visit teahouses, restaurants or shops with members of the same
sex. Asian women, even from other countries, travelling with a Western man may en-
counter rude comments.
